Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Revelation 21:14

ἔχων. א* omits, אc has ἔχον.

14. There is a little difficulty in harmonising this verse with Revelation 21:19-20. Taking this verse by itself we should suppose the twelve foundations were twelve monoliths, far surpassing those used for the earthly temple (Mark 13:1 and parallels), each reaching from one gate to another, each bearing the name of a master-builder of Zion (cf. Nehemiah 3 passim). Taking Revelation 21:19-20 by themselves we should naturally suppose that the twelve foundations were the twelve courses of stone nearest the ground and the eye, and therefore of the most precious materials; and this is supported by Isaiah 54:11, where the courses of the walls of Zion are to be picked out with antimony. It is possible to combine the two (at the expense of the splendour of the picture in Revelation 21:19-20) by supposing that each monolith was a jewel.

ἔχων, though well attested is inexplicable if intentional; ἔχον would have the same construction as ἔχουσα in Revelation 21:12.

δώδεκα ὀνόματα. Expressing the same doctrine as St Paul in Ephesians 2:20, and (probably) our Lord in St Matthew 16:18. It is absurd to suppose that there is any pointed insistance on the Apostles being only twelve, St Paul being excluded: to introduce thirteen or fourteen would have spoilt the symmetry characteristic of the whole vision. We might just as well say, that there ought to be thirteen gates for the thirteen tribes; counting Ephraim, Manasseh and Levi all as coordinate with the rest. Really, it is idle to ask whether the twelfth name was that of St Paul or St Matthias. St John does not notice his own name being written there, though of course it was (cf. St Luke 10:20); the Apostles are here mentioned in their collective and official, not in their individual character. (See on Revelation 5:5.)

τοῦ�. His identity is taken for granted with the Jesus of the earthly ministry, as in Revelation 14:1 with the Son of God.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Revelation 21:14

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