Revelation 21:11
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Having the glory of God: and her light was like to a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
American King James Version (AKJV)
Having the glory of God: and her light was like to a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
American Standard Version (ASV)
having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal:
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Having the glory of God: and her light was like a stone of great price, a jasper stone, clear as glass:
Webster's Revision
Having the glory of God: and her light was like to a stone most precious, even like a jasper-stone, clear as crystal;
World English Bible
having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
English Revised Version (ERV)
having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal:
Clarke's Revelation 21:11 Bible Commentary
Having the glory of God - Instead of the sun and moon, it has the splendor of God to enlighten it.
Unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal - Among precious stones there are some even of the same species more valuable than others: for their value is in proportion to their being free from flaws, and of a good water, i.e., a uniform and brilliant transparency. A crystal is perfectly clear, the oriental jasper is a beautiful sea-green. The stone that is here described is represented as a perfectly transparent jasper, being as unclouded as the brightest crystal, and consequently the most precious of its species. Nothing can be finer than this description: the light of this city is ever intense, equal, and splendid; but it is tinged with this green hue, in order to make it agreeable to the sight. Nothing is so friendly to the eye as blue or green; all other colors fatigue; and, if very intense, injure the eye. These are the colors of the earth and sky, on which the eye of man is to be constantly fixed. To these colors the structure of the eye is adapted; and the general appearance of the earth and the sky is adapted to this structure.
Barnes's Revelation 21:11 Bible Commentary
Having the glory of God - A glory or splendor such as became the dwelling place of God. The nature of that splendor is described in the following verses.
And her light - In Revelation 21:23 it is said that "the glory of God did lighten it." That is, it was made light by the visible symbol of the Deity - the "Shekinah." See the Luke 2:9 note; Acts 9:3 note. The word here rendered "light" - φωστὴρ phōstēr - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Philippians 2:15. It means, properly, a light, a lightgiver, and, in profane writers, means commonly a "window." It is used here to denote the brightness or shining of the divine glory, as supplying the place of the sun, or of a window.
Like unto a stone most precious - A stone of the richest or most costly nature.
Even like a jasper stone - On the jasper, see the notes on Revelation 4:3. It is used there for the same purpose as here, to illustrate the majesty and glory of God.
Clear as crystal - Pellucid or resplendent like crystal. There are various kinds of jasper - as red, yellow, and brown, brownish yellow, etc. The stone is essentially a quartz, and the word "crystal" here is used to show that the form of it referred to by John was clear and bright.
Wesley's Revelation 21:11 Bible Commentary
21:11 Having the glory of God - For her light, verse 23, Revelation 21:23 , Isaiah 40:1,2, Zec 2:5.Her window - There was only one, which ran all round the city.The light did not come in from without through this for the glory of God is within the city. But it shines out from within to a great distance, verses 23, 24. Revelation 21:23 ,24