And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

REVELATION 22:5KJV
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Revelation 22:5 (KJV)

What does Revelation 22:5 mean?

Revelation 22:5 describes a future reality where there is no more night, and people do not need any artificial or natural light because the Lord God Himself provides light for them. The verse also says that those present will reign forever and ever, highlighting an unending, perfect existence in God's presence.

In this final chapter of Revelation, John is sharing a vision of the New Jerusalem, a restored creation where God dwells directly with His people. The verse emphasizes the complete removal of darkness and the constant, sustaining presence of God, making all other sources of light unnecessary. The promise that "they shall reign for ever and ever" points to a permanent, honored role for God's people in this new reality.

The Greek behind Revelation 22:5

  • The word for "night" (νύξ, nux, G3571) means literal darkness, but here it also suggests the end of anything hidden or fearful—there is nothing to obscure or threaten in God's presence.
  • The phrase "giveth them light" uses φωτίζω (phōtizō, G5461), which means to illuminate or make bright. This word often carries the sense of enlightenment or revelation, suggesting that God's presence brings both physical and spiritual clarity.
  • The double phrase "for ever and ever" (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, eis tous aiōnas tōn aiōnōn, G1519 + G165 + G165) is a strong way to say "for all eternity," stressing that this state will never end.

Why Revelation 22:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that in the final, restored creation, God's presence replaces every other source of light or security—there is no more separation or distance from Him.
  • The promise that "they shall reign for ever and ever" connects back to earlier promises in Revelation and the Bible, showing that God's people have a lasting, honored place in His kingdom.
  • By describing a world without night or need for light, the verse emphasizes the total transformation and fulfillment that comes from being with God, which is a key hope running through the whole book of Revelation.

Where else these words appear

“giveth” Greek G5461 · used in 11 verses

  • Luke 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.
  • Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
  • Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

“candle” Greek G3088 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
  • Luke 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

“reign” Greek G936 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
  • Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

“sun” Greek G2246 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
  • Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
  • Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;