SEV Biblia, Chapter 21:11
teniendo la claridad de Dios; y su lumbre era semejante a una piedra preciosísima, como piedra de jaspe, resplandeciente como cristal.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Revelation 21:11
Verse 11. Having the glory of God] Instead of the sun and moon, it has the splendour of God to enlighten it. Unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.] Among precious stones there are some even of the same species more valuable than others: for their value is in proportion to their being free from flaws, and of a good water, i.e., a uniform and brilliant transparency.
A crystal is perfectly clear, the oriental jasper is a beautiful sea-green. The stone that is here described is represented as a perfectly transparent jasper, being as unclouded as the brightest crystal, and consequently the most precious of its species. Nothing can be finer than this description: the light of this city is ever intense, equal, and splendid; but it is tinged with this green hue, in order to make it agreeable to the sight. Nothing is so friendly to the eye as blue or green; all other colours fatigue; and, if very intense, injure the eye. These are the colours of the earth and sky, on which the eye of man is to be constantly fixed. To these colours the structure of the eye is adapted; and the general appearance of the earth and the sky is adapted to this structure.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 11. Having the glory of God , etc.] Not only upon their souls, which will lie in the glorious robe of Christ's righteousness, the bride's wedding garment being on them, in the perfect holiness which will be in them, and in that complete knowledge of all spiritual and heavenly things they will be possessed of, they will have a glory revealed in them; but upon their bodies also, for this city, the church, the bride of Christ, will consist only of risen and changed saints, whose bodies will be freed from all dishonour; deformity, diseases, and imperfections, and will be made like unto Christ's glorious body, and will shine like the sun in the kingdom of God.
Moreover, the presence of God may be intended by his glory, as the Shechinah, or the divine majesty of God in the tabernacle and temple was called, ( Exodus 40:35) ( 1 Kings 8:11) for the glorious presence of God will now be in this church state, which will cast a lustre on all that are in it; for if the face of Moses, and of Stephen, shone so bright and glorious, through the presence of God with them; (see 2 Corinthians 3:7 Acts 6:15) how much more gloriously will the saints shine in this state, when they shall enjoy the presence of God in a far more illustrious manner? to which may be added, that Jesus Christ, who is the brightness of his Father's glory, will now appear in that, and in his own, and in the glory of his angels; and all the saints will appear with him in glory; and to see them in all this glory is a glorious sight indeed! And her light was like unto a stone most precious ; by her light is not meant the light she will have in her, though that will be exceeding great, but the fountain of it from whence it comes; that which holds it forth to her, and supplies her with it: the word fwsthr signifies an illuminator, and is used of the ministers of the Gospel, that hold forth the word of life and light to others, ( Philippians 2:15,16) but here it intends Christ, who is the sun of righteousness, the church's light or enlightener, ( Revelation 21:23) not with the light of nature, as he enlightens every man, nor with the light of grace, with which the saints are enlightened by him in the present state of things, by his Spirit, through the word and ordinances, but with the light of glory: and he is comparable to the most precious stone; he is more precious than rubies; he is so now to them that believe, in his person, offices, grace, and righteousness, and will be more so in his light and glory in the new Jerusalem state: even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal : God the Father, who sits on the throne, is said to be to look upon like a jasper; (See Gill on Revelation 4:2); and here Christ, the illuminator of his church, is said to be like one, because of the exceeding brightness of this stone, and the durableness of it, expressive of the perpetuity of Christ, as the light of his church and people; he is the everlasting light of it, ( Isaiah 60:19,20) and he is compared to the crystallising jasper. There is one sort which is called Aerizusa, like to air f461 , and another Crystallizusa f462 , clear as crystal. So Pliny speaks of a white jasper called Astrios, and which, he says, is crystallo propinquans, near to crystal, found in India, and on the shores of Pallene. To this Christ is like, because he is light itself, and in him is no darkness at all, and will cause an everlasting day; and such a clear and bright state of things, as that there will be no night, nor any more darkness, nothing but everlasting joy, peace, prosperity, and happiness; there seems to be some reference to ( Isaiah 60:1,19,20).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-21 - God has various employments for his holy angels. Sometimes they soun the trumpet of Divine Providence, and warn a careless world; sometime they discover things of a heavenly nature of the heirs of salvation Those who would have clear views of heaven, must get as near to heave as they can, on the mount of meditation and faith. The subject of the vision is the church of God in a perfect, triumphant state, shining in its lustre; glorious in relation to Christ; which shows that the happiness of heaven consists in intercourse with God, and in conformit to him. The change of emblems from a bride to a city, shows that we ar only to take general ideas from this description. The wall is for security. Heaven is a safe state; those who are there, are separate and secured from all evils and enemies. This city is vast; here is roo for all the people of God. The foundation of the wall; the promise an power of God, and the purchase of Christ, are the strong foundations of the safety and happiness of the church. These foundations are set fort by twelve sorts of precious stones, denoting the variety and excellenc of the doctrines of the gospel, or of the graces of the Holy Spirit, or the personal excellences of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven has gates there is a free admission to all that are sanctified; they shall no find themselves shut out. These gates were all of pearls. Christ is the Pearl of great price, and he is our Way to God. The street of the cit was pure gold, like transparent glass. The saints in heaven tread gol under foot. The saints are there at rest, yet it is not a state of sleep and idleness; they have communion, not only with God, but with one another. All these glories but faintly represent heaven.
Greek Textus Receptus
εχουσαν 2192 5723 την 3588 δοξαν 1391 του 3588 θεου 2316 και 2532 ο 3588 φωστηρ 5458 αυτης 846 ομοιος 3664 λιθω 3037 τιμιωτατω 5093 ως 5613 λιθω 3037 ιασπιδι 2393 κρυσταλλιζοντι 2929 5723
Vincent's NT Word Studies
11. Glory of God. Not merely divine brightness, but the presence of the God of glory Himself. Compare Exod. xl. 34.
Light (fwsthr). Strictly, luminary; that with which the city is illumined, tlle heavenly Lamb. See ver. 23. The word occurs only here and Philip. ii. 15.
Jasper. See on ch. iv. 3.
Clear as crystal (krustallizonti). Lit., shining like crystal.
