King James Version

What Does Revelation 22:2 Mean?

Revelation 22:2 in the King James Version says “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner ... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:2 · KJV


Context

1

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

3

And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

4

And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life (ξύλον ζωῆς, xylon zōēs)—John's vision completes Scripture's arc from Genesis to consummation. The tree of life, lost in Genesis 3:22-24 when God barred access after the Fall, is now freely accessible in the New Jerusalem. The Greek xylon (tree/wood) is the same word used for Christ's cross (Acts 5:30, 1 Peter 2:24), suggesting the Cross is the means by which we regain the tree.

Twelve manner of fruits (δώδεκα καρποὺς, dōdeka karpous)—The twelve monthly harvests signify perpetual abundance and satisfaction. Unlike Eden's single tree bearing one kind of fruit, this tree produces continuously, each month yielding different fruit. The number twelve echoes the twelve tribes and twelve apostles (21:12-14), symbolizing the fullness of God's redeemed people from both covenants.

The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations (θεραπείαν τῶν ἐθνῶν, therapeian tōn ethnōn)—Not healing from disease (21:4 says no more pain), but therapeia suggests ongoing health and wholeness. The curse of Babel's scattered nations (Genesis 11) is reversed—the nations walk in the light of the Lamb (21:24), no longer divided but unified in worship. Ezekiel 47:12 prophesied this very image of healing leaves.

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Historical & Cultural Context

John wrote from exile on Patmos (circa AD 95) during escalating Roman persecution under Domitian. His apocalyptic vision drew heavily from Ezekiel 47:1-12, which depicts a river flowing from the temple with trees bearing fruit monthly and leaves for healing. Jewish readers would immediately recognize this imagery from prophetic literature promising restoration after judgment.

The tree of life appears only three times in Scripture: Genesis 2-3 (access forbidden after sin), Proverbs 3:18, 11:30, 13:12, 15:4 (wisdom metaphors), and Revelation 2:7, 22:2, 22:14 (access restored). This literary inclusion brackets redemptive history—what was lost in Adam is restored in Christ, the Last Adam.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the restoration of the tree of life demonstrate that God's redemptive plan not only forgives sin but fully reverses the curse of Genesis 3?
  2. What does the continuous twelve-month harvest reveal about eternal life—is it static perfection or dynamic abundance and ongoing discovery of God's goodness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 33 words
ἐν1 of 33

In

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

μέσῳ2 of 33

the midst

G3319

middle (as an adjective or (neuter) noun)

τῆς3 of 33
G3588

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

πλατείας4 of 33

of the street

G4113

a wide "plat" or "place", i.e., open square

αὐτοῦ5 of 33

of it

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

καὶ6 of 33

and

G2532

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

τοῦ7 of 33
G3588

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

ποταμοῦ8 of 33

of the river

G4215

a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e., running water

ἐντεῦθεν9 of 33

side

G1782

hence (literally or figuratively); (repeated) on both sides

καὶ10 of 33

and

G2532

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

ἐντεῦθεν11 of 33

side

G1782

hence (literally or figuratively); (repeated) on both sides

ξύλου12 of 33

of the tree

G3586

timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance

ζωῆς13 of 33

of life

G2222

life (literally or figuratively)

ποιοῦν14 of 33

which bare

G4160

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

καρπὸν15 of 33

fruit

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

δώδεκα16 of 33

twelve

G1427

two and ten, i.e., a dozen

κατὰ17 of 33

every

G2596

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

μῆνα18 of 33

month

G3376

a month

ἕνα19 of 33
G1520

one

ἕκαστον20 of 33
G1538

each or every

ἀποδιδοῦν21 of 33

and yielded

G591

to give away, i.e., up, over, back, etc. (in various applications)

τὸν22 of 33
G3588

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

καρπὸν23 of 33

fruit

G2590

fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively

αὐτοῦ24 of 33

of it

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

καὶ25 of 33

and

G2532

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

τὰ26 of 33
G3588

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

φύλλα27 of 33

the leaves

G5444

a sprout, i.e., leaf

τοῦ28 of 33
G3588

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

ξύλου29 of 33

of the tree

G3586

timber (as fuel or material); by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance

εἰς30 of 33

were for

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

θεραπείαν31 of 33

the healing

G2322

attendance (specially, medical, i.e., cure); figuratively and collectively, domestics

τῶν32 of 33
G3588

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

ἐθνῶν33 of 33

of the nations

G1484

a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)


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 22:2 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 22:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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