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.
Parallel translations
- WEB 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.
- 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 the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
- Rev 7:13–14And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
- Ps 132:9Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.
- Eph 5:26–27That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
- Ezek 16:10I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.
- Rom 13:14But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
- Mark 9:3And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
- Matt 22:12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
- Rev 3:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
- Rev 3:4–5Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
- Rev 15:4Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
- Acts 1:10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
- Luke 24:4And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
- Ps 45:13–14The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
- Rom 3:22Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
- Matt 17:2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was 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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