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Revelation 21:27

in Revelation 21

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

KJV

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

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This verse in Revelation 21

Commentary

6 notes on this verse
QUESTION: Nor hath there entered into it anything defiled. ANSWER: He is describing the Church of that time when, after the wicked have been excluded from among them, the good alone will reign with Christ. But already now, every unclean person and liar is not …

This site's exposition

any thing that defileth

The final word on the city is a door held shut against one kind of visitor only: there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, the same three marks, defilement, abomination, and lying, that barred entry to Babylon's own judgment scene in chapters 17 and 18. What decides entry is not merit but a record, they which are written in the Lamb's book of life, the book named at 3:5, 13:8, and 20:12, kept open through the whole book and closed here on its final page. The city's gates stand open, and its guest list is already settled.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth,.... As evil thoughts, words, and actions do; and therefore he that enters into this city must be free from all these: or "that is defiled", as the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions read; or "that is unclean", as the Arabic and Ethiopic versions; alluding to the tabernacle and temple, into which no unclean person might come; see Isa 52:

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

Common - That is. unholy. But those who are written in the Lamb's book of life - True, holy, persevering believers. This blessedness is enjoyed by those only; and, as such, they are registered among them who are to inherit eternal life.

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

These will creep into the churches of Christ on earth, and may lie concealed there a long time, perhaps all their days; but they cannot intrude into the new Jerusalem, which is wholly reserved for those that are called, and chosen, and faithful, who are all written, not only in the register if the visible church, but in the Lamb's book of life.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
And there shall in no wise - On no account; by no means. This strong language denotes the absolute exclusion of all that is specified in the verse. Anything that defileth - Literally, anything “common.” See the notes on Act 10:14. It means here that nothing will be found in that blessed abode which is unholy or sinful. It will be a pure world, 2Pe 3:13. Neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie - See the notes on Rev 21:8. But they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life - Whose names are there recorded.

The words behind it

25 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Revelation 13:8And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.45 worksRevelation 22:14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.30 works1 Peter 1:4and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,24 worksRevelation 3:5Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.24 worksIsaiah 52:1Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion! Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and unclean will no longer enter you.18 worksIsaiah 35:8And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.18 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Luke 10:20Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”18 worksRevelation 20:15And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.17 worksObadiah 1:17But on Mount Zion there will be deliverance, and it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will reclaim their possession.15 worksMatthew 13:41The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness.13 worksExodus 32:32Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”13 works2 Peter 3:13But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.12 worksJohn 1:29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!12 worksTitus 1:16They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.12 worksGalatians 5:21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.12 worksRevelation 20:12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.11 works1 Timothy 1:10for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching11 worksEzekiel 44:9This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh may enter My sanctuary—not even a foreigner who lives among the Israelites.10 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Isaiah 35:8

    And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not travel it—only those who walk in the Way—and fools will not stray onto it.

    it leads to

    • Matthew 7:13–14

      Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

    • Isaiah 42:16

      I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on unfamiliar paths. I will turn darkness into light before them and rough places into level ground. These…

    • John 14:6

      Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

    • 1 Peter 1:14–15

      As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance.

  • Through

    Revelation 3:5

    Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His…

    it leads to

    • Matthew 10:32

      Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father in heaven.

    • Luke 12:8

      I tell you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will also confess him before the angels of God.

    • Revelation 20:15

      And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

  • Through

    Revelation 20:15

    And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

    it leads to

    • John 3:36

      Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”

Where this verse is studied

About Revelation

The Transfiguration — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
The Transfiguration — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)
Revelation: the study guide →Read Revelation 21 →

This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Alcuin of York, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS MANUAL ON REVELATION; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Read on in Revelation 21 →