Revelation 22:11

Let the unrighteous continue to be unrighteous, and the vile continue to be vile; let the righteous continue to practice righteousness, and the holy continue to be holy.”

Berean Standard Bible

Follow its threads on the canvas →

Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks this to John in the vision of the new Jerusalem, immediately after commanding him not to seal the prophecy because the time is near and before declaring his imminent return with rewards.

The words — The Greek employs the present participle ἀδικῶν (adikōn, "being unrighteous") and the adjective ῥυπαρός (rhuparos, "filthy"), paired with the aorist subjunctives ἀδικησατω (adikēsatō) and ρυπανθητω (rhupanthētō) that function as imperatives commanding the unrighteous to remain unrighteous and the defiled to remain defiled.

The thread — The text parallels Daniel 12:10, which states the wicked will continue wickedly while the purified are refined, and directly precedes Revelation 22:12's declaration that the speaker's reward will be given according to what each has done.

Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to recognize that moral trajectories harden at the end of the age, demanding a deliberate choice to pursue righteousness and holiness before the coming judgment confirms one's fixed state.

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

He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Cross-references

Daniel 12:10 Many will be purified, made spotless, and refined, but the wicked will continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand.
Proverbs 4:18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
Ezekiel 3:27 But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you are to tell them, ‘This is what the Lord GOD says.’ Whoever listens, let him listen; and whoever refuses, let him refuse, for they are a rebellious house.
2 Timothy 3:13 while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Matthew 15:14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Job 17:9 Yet a righteous one holds to his way, and the one with clean hands grows stronger.
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Proverbs 14:32 The wicked man is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous man has a refuge even in death.
Matthew 25:10 But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.
Proverbs 1:24 Because you refused my call, and no one took my outstretched hand,