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 21:4KJVWhat 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.