Revelation 21:19-21

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:19

And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. Omit "and" (cf. Isaiah 54:12 , "All thy borders of pleasant stones"). Foundations (cf. Revelation 21:14 ). The first foundation was jasper. Probably the diamond (see on Revelation 4:3 ). The second, sapphire. Thought to be the modern lapis lazuli. It was of a clear blue colour ( Exodus 24:10 ), and very precious ( Job 28:16 ). The third, a chalcedony. Not the modern stone of that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:20

The fifth, sardonyx . A variety of agate—a kind of onyx, valued for its use in engraving into cameos. The name onyx appears to be owing to the resemblance in colour to the fingernails. The sixth, sardius. Probably the modern carnelian (see on Revelation 4:3 ). The seventh, chrysolyte. A variety of the gem of which that called topaz (the ninth stone) is another kind. This species contained a considerable amount of yellow colour, whence the name "golden stone." It has been... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:21

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl . The pearl was known to the ancients from the earliest times, and was always held in high honour by them (cf. Revelation 17:4 ). And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass (cf. Revelation 21:18 ). The brilliancy was so far beyond ordinary gold as to make it apparently transparent like glass. "The street" is not merely one street, but the whole collective material of which the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:19

And the foundations of the wall of the city - notes on Revelation 21:14.Were garnished - Were adorned, or decorated. That is, the foundations were composed of precious stones, giving them this highly ornamented and brilliant appearance.The first foundation - The first “row, layer, or course.” notes on Revelation 21:14.Was jasper - See the notes on Revelation 4:3.The second, sapphire - This stone is not elsewhere mentioned in the New Testament. It is a precious stone, next in hardness to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:20

The fifth, sardonyx - This word does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. The “name” is derived from “Sardis,” a city in Asia Minor (notes on Revelation 3:1), and ὄνυξ onux, a nail - so named, according to Pliny, from the resemblance of its color to the flesh and the nail. It is a silicious stone or gem, nearly allied to the onyx. The color is a reddish yellow, nearly orange (Webster, Dictionary).The sixth, sardius - This word does not elsewhere occur in the New Testament. It is also... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:21

And the twelve gates - Revelation 21:12.Were twelve pearls - See the Revelation 17:4 note; Matthew 13:46 note.Every several gate was of one pearl - Each gate. Of course, this is not to be understood literally. The idea is that of ornament and beauty, and nothing could give a more striking view of the magnificence of the future abode of the saints.And the street of the city was pure gold - Was paved with gold; that is, all the vacant space that was not occupied with buildings was of pure gold.... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 21:19-20

Revelation 21:19-20. And the foundations of the wall That is, the lower parts of it; were garnished with all manner of precious stones Were inlaid quite round, and beautified with a great variety of them; or were beautifully formed of them. The precious stones on the high-priest’s breast-plate of judgment were a proper emblem to express the happiness of God’s church in his presence, and in the blessing of his protection. The like ornaments on the foundation of the walls of this city may... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 21:9-21

New Jerusalem (21:9-21)God’s redeemed people, who in a previous picture were seen as the bride of the Lamb (see 19:6-10; 21:2), are now symbolized by a holy city, the new Jerusalem. This city comes from God, for it was built by God. It is not something of human creation. People are saved by God’s grace, not by their own achievements (9-10).The city is glorious and indestructible, and the people who live in it are eternally secure. All believers, whether of the era before Christ or after, are... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 21:19

And. Omit. jasper. Compare this and the other stones here with those in Aaron's breastplate (Exodus 28:17-21 ). read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 21:21

street. Greek. plateia. See Revelation 22:2 and Compare Revelation 11:8 . Figure of speech Heterosis (of Number). App-6 . as it were. Not that it is glass, but gold of a kind unknown to us. read more

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