He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
Parallel translations
- KJV He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
- BSB He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
- NKJV “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”
- NASB The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
- NLT “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”
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 closing refrain to the seven letters: everyone with spiritual ears must heed what the Spirit says to all the churches. It calls every reader to personal, attentive obedience.
Overview
This formula concludes each of the seven letters in chapters 2-3, here ending the message to Laodicea and the whole series. By saying 'churches' (plural), it shows the warnings and promises are not for one congregation only but for the universal church in every age. That the Spirit speaks the words of the risen Christ underscores His living lordship over His people and presses each believer to listen and respond.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- Rev 2:7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.
- Rev 2:17He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no one knows but he who receives it.
- Rev 2:11He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death.
- Rev 3:6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
- Rev 3:13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 3:22 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.