And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

REVELATION 21:9KJV
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Revelation 21:9 (KJV)

What does Revelation 21:9 mean?

Revelation 21:9 describes one of the seven angels, who had previously poured out the last plagues, inviting John to come and see "the bride, the Lamb's wife." This verse introduces a vision where John is about to witness something significant, described as the bride connected to the Lamb.

The setting is John receiving a message from an angel, one of the same angels involved in the earlier judgments described in Revelation. The angel now shifts from delivering plagues to showing John a positive, hopeful vision. The "bride" and "Lamb's wife" are symbolic terms, and in the context of Revelation, they often refer to the people of God or the holy city, which the following verses will describe in more detail.

The Greek behind Revelation 21:9

  • "νύμφην" (nymphēn, "bride"): This word means "bride" and is used here to describe a close, intimate relationship. In Revelation, it often points to a collective group, not an individual.
  • "γυνή" (gynē, "wife"): This word means "wife" and emphasizes the established, covenant relationship with the Lamb (a title for Jesus).
  • "ἀρνίου" (arniou, "Lamb"): The Lamb is a key symbol in Revelation for Jesus, highlighting his sacrificial role. The connection between the Lamb and the bride/wife signals a relationship rooted in sacrifice and redemption.
  • "δεῖξαι" (deixai, "to show"): The Greek word here means to reveal or make visible, stressing that what John is about to see is meant to be understood as a revelation, not a hidden mystery.

Why Revelation 21:9 matters

  • This verse marks a turning point from judgment to restoration, showing that the same angels who brought plagues now reveal hope and fulfillment.
  • The language of "bride" and "wife" sets up the vision of the New Jerusalem, which is described in the following verses as a symbol of God's people in perfect relationship with the Lamb.
  • Understanding the shift in the angel's role helps clarify that God's ultimate purpose in Revelation is not just judgment but also the creation of a new, redeemed community.

Where else these words appear

“bride” Greek G3565 · used in 7 verses

  • Matthew 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
  • John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
  • Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

“hither” Greek G1204 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
  • Luke 18:22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
  • Acts 7:34 I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt.

“full” Greek G1073 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
  • Romans 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
  • Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

“vials” Greek G5357 · used in 12 verses

  • Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
  • Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
  • 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,