Bible Strands
Revelation 21:13
There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south, and three on the west.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John records a vision of the New Jerusalem's wall, positioned between the description of its twelve gates and its twelve foundations. The narrator details the city's architectural layout during the revelation of the new creation.
The words — πυλῶνες (pulōnes) identifies the physical gates, while τρεῖς (treis) fixes the count at three per side. The preposition ἀπό (apo) indicates directional placement relative to the city's perimeter.
The thread — Ezekiel 48:31 describes a similar arrangement where three gates are assigned to the north side of a future city. Revelation 21:12 and Revelation 21:14 frame this verse by establishing the twelve gates and twelve foundations that complete the city's structure.
Why it lands — The text states that the city possesses twelve gates arranged in perfect cardinal symmetry. A reader must note how this precise geometry establishes the city as a fully fortified and accessible holy space.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Cross-references
- Ezekiel 48:31 the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. On the north side there will be three gates: the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi.