King James Version

What Does Revelation 21:5 Mean?

Revelation 21:5 in the King James Version says “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are tru... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Revelation 21:5 · KJV


Context

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.

7

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. all things: or, these things


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Behold, I make all things new" (ἰδοὺ καινὰ ποιῶ πάντα, idou kaina poiō panta)—The One on the throne declares total cosmic renewal. The Greek kainos means qualitatively new, not merely recent (neos), pointing to unprecedented newness. This echoes Isaiah 43:19 and 65:17 but exceeds it: not repair but re-creation. Significantly, God speaks in present tense—"I make" (poiō)—showing the certainty of future reality spoken as accomplished fact.

"Write: for these words are true and faithful" (Γράψον, ὅτι οὗτοι οἱ λόγοι πιστοὶ καὶ ἀληθινοί εἰσιν)—The command to write (grapson) appears seven times in Revelation, marking crucial revelations. The dual affirmation pistoi kai alēthinoi (faithful and true) uses Christ's own title from 19:11, authenticating these words as God's own character-backed promises. This isn't wishful thinking but divine decree from the One who cannot lie (Titus 1:2).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This vision comes at Revelation's climax after the millennium, final judgment, and destruction of death and Hades (20:11-15). John transitions from judgment to consummation—the eternal state where redeemed humanity dwells with God forever. The command to "write" emphasizes permanence for persecuted first-century churches: their suffering has cosmic purpose in God's plan culminating in total renewal. Unlike Greco-Roman philosophy's cyclical history or Platonic escape from materiality, biblical eschatology promises renewed creation—vindication of God's original "very good" design (Genesis 1:31).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the promise "I make all things new" give hope amid present suffering or disappointment with this world's brokenness?
  2. Why does God command John to write these words, and what does their "faithful and true" character reveal about trusting biblical promises that seem delayed?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 23 words
καὶ1 of 23

And

G2532

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

εἶπεν2 of 23

said

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

3 of 23
G3588

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

καθήμενος4 of 23

he that sat

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

ἐπὶ5 of 23

upon

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοῦ6 of 23
G3588

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

θρόνου,7 of 23

the throne

G2362

a stately seat ("throne"); by implication, power or (concretely) a potentate

Ἰδού,8 of 23

Behold

G2400

used as imperative lo!

καινὰ9 of 23

new

G2537

new (especially in freshness; while g3501 is properly so with respect to age

πάντα10 of 23

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ποιῶ11 of 23

I make

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

καὶ12 of 23

And

G2532

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

λέγει13 of 23

he said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

μοι,14 of 23

unto me

G3427

to me

Γράψον15 of 23

Write

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

ὅτι16 of 23

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

οὗτοι17 of 23

these

G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

οἱ18 of 23
G3588

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

λόγοι19 of 23

words

G3056

something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a

ἀληθινοί20 of 23

true

G228

truthful

καὶ21 of 23

And

G2532

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

πιστοὶ22 of 23

faithful

G4103

objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful

εἰσιν23 of 23

are

G1526

they are


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 21:5 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 21:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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