What does Revelation 21:17 mean?

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Revelation 21:17

Explanation

Revelation 21:17 describes a measurement of the wall surrounding the New Jerusalem, a city depicted in the Book of Revelation as the ultimate paradise for the faithful, which descends from heaven at the end of times. The verse indicates that the wall is 144 cubits thick, using a unit of measurement based on human scale, while also noting that the measurement is angelic in nature. This suggests that while the measurement is understandable in human terms, it also holds a divine or supernatural significance. The number 144 is also symbolic, as it represents 12 squared, with the number 12 often symbolizing completeness and divine authority in biblical texts.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written by John of Patmos, usually identified with the Apostle John, and is dated to the late first century AD. During this time, Christians faced persecution, and the book’s imagery and message were meant to offer hope and encouragement to beleaguered believers. The description of the New Jerusalem and its measurements would have conveyed a message of divine perfection and protection for God’s people.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints offer various insights into this verse:

• Preterists may view this description as symbolic, representing the church or the people of God.
• Futurists may interpret it as a literal description of the future heavenly city.
• Idealists may see it as an allegorical representation of the perfection and security of the divine realm.
• Historicists might understand it as a prophecy that reflects events throughout church history.

Practical Applications

The verse can be applied practically as a reminder of God’s promises of protection and salvation. It can encourage believers to have faith in the security that comes from a spiritual relationship with God, and in the hope for a future perfect existence.

Cross-References

• 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.”
• Ephesians 2:20: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
• Revelation 7:4: “And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

Language Study

The key words in this verse are:

• “Measured” (μέτρησεν): This is a Greek verb denoting the act of measuring or determining the extent of something.
• “Cubits” (πήχεως): A Greek term derived from the Hebrew ‘ammah, referring to a unit of length, often understood as the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.
• “Man” (ἀνθρώπου): Literally meaning “human” and represents the human scale or perspective.
• “Angel” (ἀγγέλου): Often refers to a messenger or a divine being in biblical texts.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The imagery of walls and measurements is common in ancient religious texts and myths, signifying strength, protection, and divine order. Cities like Babylon also had great walls, but the description of New Jerusalem in Revelation sets it apart as perfect, holy, and God-ordained.

Scientific Perspectives

While Revelation speaks of a cubit, which is a unit of measure based on the human body and used in ancient times, modern measurements rely on standardized units like meters or feet. The use of numbers, such as 144, can be seen to hold symbolic rather than scientific value in the context of biblical numerology.

commentaries

Commentators have offered various interpretations of this verse:

• Matthew Henry saw it as representing the great strength and security of the church.
• The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary suggests that the measurements indicate the city’s stability and durability.
• Albert Barnes noted the harmonious proportions of the city, with the number 144 suggesting completeness and symmetry.
• Many modern commentators focus on the symbolic nature of the measurements and the divine-human connection they represent.