Revelation 21:13 Meaning and Explanation
“On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Three gates open on each of the four sides of the city, east, north, south, and west.
What Does Revelation 21:13 Mean?
The vision pauses on the arrangement of the gates: three on every side, facing all four points of the compass. The pattern recalls the camp of Israel in the wilderness, where the tribes were stationed on every side of the tabernacle at the center.
The symmetry carries meaning. With gates open to every direction, the city is accessible from all the earth; there is no side from which one cannot enter. The picture anticipates a people gathered from every quarter, drawn in from all nations to the presence of God. For the reader, the open gates on all four sides quietly proclaim the wideness of God's welcome, a home with a door turned toward everyone who will come.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 21:13
What does Revelation 21:13 mean?
Three gates open on each of the four sides of the city, east, north, south, and west.