Bible Strands
Revelation 21:15
The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The angel who previously communicated with John holds a golden measuring rod to measure the New Jerusalem, its gates, and its walls. This action occurs immediately after the description of the city's twelve foundations bearing the apostles' names and precedes the revelation of its exact cubic dimensions.
The words — The phrase μετρον κάλαμον (metron kalamon) translates literally to "measuring reed." This denotes a standardized agricultural or architectural tool used to determine physical boundaries.
The thread — The motif of divine measurement appears in Zechariah 2:1 with a man holding a measuring line and in Revelation 11:1 where John receives a rod to measure the temple. Ezekiel 41:1 also records a man measuring the sanctuary's pillars with a similar instrument.
Why it lands — The text establishes that the holy city is defined by precise, divinely ordained dimensions rather than human estimation. A reader must recognize that God's boundaries and provisions are exact, deliberate, and complete.
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
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
Cross-references
- Zechariah 2:1 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line in his hand.
- Revelation 11:1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.
- Ezekiel 41:1 Then the man brought me into the outer sanctuary and measured the side pillars to be six cubits wide on each side.
- Exodus 40:3 Put the ark of the Testimony in it and screen off the ark with the veil.