It was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Parallel translations
- KJV And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
- BSB She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.
- NKJV And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
- NASB It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
- NLT She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The bride is clothed in bright, pure linen, which is the righteous acts of the saints. Her purity is both given and lived out.
Overview
The bride's fine linen, granted to her, stands for the righteous deeds of God's people. The clothing is 'given,' showing grace as its source, yet it is worked out in holy living. This holds together justification and sanctification: believers are clothed in Christ's righteousness, which produces real obedience, in contrast to the prostitute's gaudy attire.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- Isa 61:10I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
- Rev 7:13–14One of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are arrayed in the white robes, who are they, and from where did they come?”
- Ps 132:9Let your priests be clothed with righteousness. Let your saints shout for joy!”
- Eph 5:26–27that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,
- Ezek 16:10I clothed you also with embroidered work, and put sealskin shoes on you. I dressed you with fine linen and covered you with silk.
- Rom 13:14But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
- Mark 9:3His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
- Matt 22:12and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless.
- Rev 3:18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
- Rev 3:4–5Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
- Rev 15:4Who wouldn’t fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed.”
- Acts 1:10While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,
- Luke 24:4While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling clothing.
- Ps 45:13–14The princess inside is all glorious. Her clothing is interwoven with gold.
- Rom 3:22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,
- Matt 17:2He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
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Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 19:8 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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