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.

REVELATION 21:4KJV
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Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

What does Revelation 21:4 mean?

Revelation 21:4 describes a future promise where God personally removes all sorrow and suffering from His people, ending death, grief, crying, and pain forever. The verse assures that the hardships and losses of the past will be gone, replaced by a new reality where these things no longer exist.

In the book of Revelation, John is sharing a vision given to him while exiled on the island of Patmos. Here, God is speaking about what will happen after the creation of a new heaven and new earth. This verse is part of a larger picture of hope, showing God’s care and the complete renewal of life for those who belong to Him.

The Greek behind Revelation 21:4

  • The word for "wipe away" (ἐξαλείψει, exaleipsei) means to completely remove or erase, highlighting the thoroughness of God’s comfort—He is not just soothing pain but fully erasing it.
  • The term for "pain" (πόνος, ponos) refers not only to physical pain but also to toil and hardship, suggesting that all forms of suffering, whether emotional, physical, or the struggles of daily life, will be gone.
  • The phrase "the former things are passed away" uses a verb (ἀπῆλθαν, apēlthan) that means to go away or depart, emphasizing that these painful experiences are not just lessened but are entirely removed from the new reality.

Why Revelation 21:4 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that suffering and death are permanent parts of existence; it promises a time when these will be completely absent.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s personal involvement—He is not distant, but actively wipes away tears, showing intimate care.
  • In the wider context, this promise is a turning point in Revelation, marking the beginning of a restored creation where God dwells with His people and all brokenness is made right.

Where else these words appear

“pain” Greek G4192 · used in 3 verses

  • Revelation 16:10 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
  • Revelation 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

“sorrow” Greek G3997 · used in 4 verses

  • James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
  • Revelation 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
  • Revelation 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

“away” Greek G1813 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
  • Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
  • Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

“crying” Greek G2906 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
  • Acts 23:9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
  • Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;