Revelation 22:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Heaven and the church together call out one word, Come, inviting every thirsty soul to drink of life for free.
The Context of Revelation 22:17
Among the closing lines of the Bible, as the vision ends and Jesus promises to come soon. The invitation widens out from the Spirit and the bride (the church) to every single person who hears.
What Does Revelation 22:17 Mean?
The verse moves like a ripple. First the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' Then everyone who hears the call is invited to pass it on: 'let him that heareth say, Come.' Then it opens wide to the thirsty: anyone who is parched may come. And the final reach holds nothing back: 'whosoever will,' anyone at all who wants it, may take the water of life, and take it freely. The word 'freely' means without cost, without earning. The deepest thirst a person carries can be answered, and the price has already been paid.
Jesus once stood and cried, 'If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink' (John 7:37), and here at the end of all things the same offer still stands. The water of life is His gift, held out to whoever is thirsty enough to come. There are no qualifications in this verse except wanting it. The Bible ends with its arms open, and the invitation has our name in it.
Revelation 22:17 in the Original Language
dorean (δωρεάν), 'freely' -- as a gift, without price or payment; the same word Jesus used for love given without cause.
How to Apply Revelation 22:17 Today
The only thing this invitation asks of us is thirst and the willingness to come. The water of life is free, already paid for, held out to whoever wants it, with no fine print. We are among the 'whosoever,' and the cup is offered to us now.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 22:17
What does Revelation 22:17 mean?
Heaven and the church together call out one word, Come, inviting every thirsty soul to drink of life for free.
What is the context of Revelation 22:17?
Among the closing lines of the Bible, as the vision ends and Jesus promises to come soon. The invitation widens out from the Spirit and the bride (the church) to every single person who hears.
How can I apply Revelation 22:17 today?
The only thing this invitation asks of us is thirst and the willingness to come. The water of life is free, already paid for, held out to whoever wants it, with no fine print. We are among the 'whosoever,' and the cup is offered to us now.