The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
Parallel translations
- KJV And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the 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 the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
- Eph 2:20being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
- Isa 54:11“You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
- Rev 21:19–21The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
- Matt 10:2–4Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;
- Jude 1:17But you, beloved, remember the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Eph 3:5which in other generations was not made known to the children of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;
- Matt 16:18I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
- Rev 18:20“Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her.”
- 1 Cor 3:10–11According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.
- Gal 2:9and when they perceived the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, they who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcision.
- Eph 4:11He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;
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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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