And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Parallel translations
- WEB The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
- BSB The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- NKJV Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- NASB And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- NLT The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
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 city's wall rests on twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The church is built on the apostolic witness to Christ.
Overview
The apostolic foundations recall Paul's teaching that the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20). Together with the tribal names on the gates, this unites Old and New Testament believers into one people. The Lamb stands at the center, for the entire structure depends on him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Heb 11:10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
- Eph 2:20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
- Isa 54:11O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires.
- Rev 21:19–21And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
- Matt 10:2–4Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
- Jude 1:17But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
- Eph 3:5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
- Matt 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
- Rev 18:20Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
- 1 Cor 3:10–11According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
- Gal 2:9And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
- Eph 4:11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 21:14 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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