And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

REVELATION 21:22KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 21:22 (KJV)

What does Revelation 21:22 mean?

Revelation 21:22 describes how, in the vision of the new Jerusalem, there is no physical temple building because God Himself—the Lord God Almighty—and the Lamb (Jesus) are present and serve as the temple. The verse means that God’s presence is so direct and complete that no separate sacred space is needed.

John, the author of Revelation, is describing what he sees in his vision of the future city where God dwells with His people. In ancient Jerusalem, the temple was the center of worship and God’s presence, but here, John notes its absence and explains why: God and the Lamb themselves are the source of holiness and worship in this new reality. This marks a dramatic shift from the old way of worship to a new, immediate relationship with God.

The Greek behind Revelation 21:22

  • ναός (naos, G3485): This word means "temple," specifically the inner sanctuary where God's presence was believed to dwell. The use of ναός highlights that what was once a physical place is now fulfilled by God and the Lamb themselves.
  • παντοκράτωρ (pantokratōr, G3841): Translated as "Almighty," this word emphasizes God's all-powerful nature, underlining why no other temple is needed.
  • ἀρνίον (arnion, G721): This word means "Lamb" and refers to Jesus in Revelation. The pairing of God and the Lamb as the temple stresses their unity and shared role in the new creation.

Why Revelation 21:22 matters

  • Revelation 21:22 clarifies that, in the vision of the new Jerusalem, worship and access to God are no longer tied to a building or location but are found directly in God and the Lamb.
  • The verse shifts the focus from religious structures to a relationship with God Himself, which would have been a striking idea for readers familiar with the central role of the temple in Jewish life.
  • This statement connects to the wider passage by showing how everything in the new creation is transformed, including the way people relate to God and experience His presence.

Where else these words appear

“Almighty” Greek G3841 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Corinthians 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
  • Revelation 11:17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
  • Revelation 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

“Lamb” Greek G721 · used in 28 verses

  • John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
  • Revelation 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
  • Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

“temple” Greek G3485 · used in 40 verses

  • Matthew 23:16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!
  • Luke 1:22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.