Bible Strands
Revelation 22:12
“Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The risen Christ addresses the churches in the final exhortation of Revelation, immediately after the call to remain in one's present state (v. 11) and before the self-identification as Alpha and Omega (v. 13).
The words — μισθός (misthos) is the LXX term for wages or compensation owed, not a gift; it frames the coming as a transaction, not a favor. ταχὺ (tachu) is an adverb of speed, not merely time — it stresses imminence rather than a distant future.
The thread — The formula "His reward is with Him" appears in Isaiah 40:10 and Isaiah 62:11, both prophetic declarations of the Lord's coming, and in Matthew 16:27 where the Son of Man repays each according to their work.
Why it lands — The verse removes the option of deferring: the reward is already with the Speaker, meaning the ledger is closed and the only variable is what has already been done. It asks the reader to stop negotiating with the future and reckon with the present.
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, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Cross-references
- Matthew 16:27 For 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.
- Isaiah 62:11 Behold, 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.”
- Isaiah 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and His arm establishes His rule. His reward is with Him, and His recompense accompanies Him.
- 1 Corinthians 3:14 If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
- Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:8 He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
- Romans 2:6 God “will repay each one according to his deeds.”
- Romans 14:12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
- Revelation 11:18 The 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.”
- Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books.