“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.
Parallel translations
- WEB “Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work.
- KJV And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
- NKJV “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
- NASB “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.
- NLT “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.
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
Jesus again declares, 'I come quickly,' bringing reward to repay each according to his work. Christ returns as the righteous Judge of all.
Overview
The promise of swift return is joined to judgment, for Christ repays each person justly (cf. Isaiah 40:10; Matthew 16:27). Recompense according to works affirms that how one lives reveals one's true allegiance. For the redeemed this is reward by grace; for the unrepentant, just judgment.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Matt 16:27For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.
- Isa 62:11Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the ends of the earth, “Say to Daughter Zion: See, your Savior comes! Look, His reward is with Him, and His recompense goes before Him.”
- Isa 40:10Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.
- 1 Cor 3:14If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
- Rev 22:7“Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”
- 1 Cor 3:8He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
- Rom 2:6–11God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”
- Rom 14:12So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
- Rev 11:18The nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come. The time has come to judge the dead and to reward Your servants the prophets, as well as the saints and those who fear Your name, both small and great—and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
- Rev 22:20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
- Rev 20:12And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And there were open books, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.
- Isa 3:10–11Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labor.
- Zeph 1:14The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.
- 1 Cor 9:17–18If my preaching is voluntary, I have a reward. But if it is not voluntary, I am still entrusted with a responsibility.
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 22:12 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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