King James Version

What Does Revelation 21:4 Mean?

Revelation 21:4 in the King James Version says “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Revelation 21:4 · KJV


Context

2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes (καὶ ἐξαλείψει ὁ θεὸς πᾶν δάκρυον)—The verb exaleipsei means to "wipe out, erase completely," the same word used for blotting out sin (Acts 3:19, Col 2:14). God Himself performs this most tender act, echoing Isaiah 25:8. This is not mere comfort but complete obliteration of sorrow's cause.

There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither...any more pain—A fourfold negation dismantling the curse of Genesis 3. Thanatos (death), penthos (mourning/grief), krauge (crying out in distress), and ponos (pain/toil) are permanently abolished. The repeated ouketi ("no more, no longer") emphasizes finality. What Adam's sin introduced, the Second Adam's victory eradicates forever.

For the former things are passed away (ὅτι τὰ πρῶτα ἀπῆλθαν)—Perfect tense: they "have gone away and remain gone." This is the eternal state, not the millennial kingdom. Paul's "old things passed away, all things become new" (2 Cor 5:17) finds ultimate fulfillment here. The new creation eclipses the first creation as fully as resurrection bodies surpass mortal flesh.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

John wrote from exile on Patmos (circa AD 95) to seven churches enduring persecution under Domitian. His first readers faced imprisonment, economic ruin, and martyrdom for refusing emperor worship. This vision of the new Jerusalem descending (21:2) directly counters Roman imperial propaganda—Caesar's "eternal city" versus God's eternal city, Caesar's false peace versus true shalom.

The imagery echoes Isaiah's new creation prophecies (Isa 65:17-19, 25:8) and Ezekiel's temple vision (Ezek 40-48), but radically transforms them. No temple exists (21:22), for God and the Lamb are the temple. The prophets spoke of restoration; John sees complete re-creation. To readers suffering "death, sorrow, crying, pain," this vision was not escapist fantasy but bedrock hope: present suffering is temporary, God's victory certain.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of God personally wiping away tears reveal His character differently than simply "ending suffering"?
  2. Which of the four abolished realities (death, sorrow, crying, pain) do you most long to see vanquished, and how does this hope sustain present endurance?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
καὶ1 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξαλείψει2 of 29

shall wipe away

G1813

to smear out, i.e., obliterate (erase tears, figuratively, pardon sin)

3 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεὸς4 of 29

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

πᾶν5 of 29

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

δάκρυον6 of 29

tears

G1144

a tear

ἀπὸ7 of 29

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

τῶν8 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀφθαλμῶν9 of 29

eyes

G3788

the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication, vision; figuratively, envy (from the jealous side-glance)

αὐτῶν10 of 29

their

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ11 of 29

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

12 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θάνατος13 of 29

death

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

οὐκ14 of 29

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔσται15 of 29

shall there be

G2071

will be

ἔτι16 of 29

any more

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

οὔτε17 of 29

neither

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

πένθος18 of 29

sorrow

G3997

grief

οὔτε19 of 29

neither

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

κραυγὴ20 of 29

crying

G2906

an outcry (in notification, tumult or grief)

οὔτε21 of 29

neither

G3777

not too, i.e., neither or nor; by analogy, not even

πόνος22 of 29

pain

G4192

toil, i.e., (by implication) anguish

οὐκ23 of 29

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔσται24 of 29

shall there be

G2071

will be

ἔτι25 of 29

any more

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

ὅτι26 of 29

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

τὰ27 of 29
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρῶτα28 of 29

the former things

G4413

foremost (in time, place, order or importance)

ἀπῆλθον29 of 29

are passed away

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Revelation. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Revelation 21:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Revelation 21:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study