Matthew Henry on Revelation 21:9–end
We have already considered the introduction to the vision of the new Jerusalem in a more general idea of the heavenly state; we now come to the vision itself, where observe,
I. The person that opened the vision to the apostle - one of the seven angels, that had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, Rev 21:9. God has a variety of work and employment for his holy angels. Sometimes they are to sound the trumpet of divine Providence, and give fair warning to a careless world; sometimes they are to pour out the vials of God's anger upon impenitent sinners; and sometimes to discover things of a heavenly nature to those that are the heirs of salvation. They readily execute every commissio…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Revelation 21:13
On the north . . . on the south--A, B, Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic read, "And on the north and on the south." In Ezekiel, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan (for which Manasseh is substituted in Rev 7:6), are on the east (Eze 48:32); Reuben, Judah, Levi, are on the north (Eze 48:31); Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, on the south (Eze 48:33); Gad, Asher, Naphtali, on the west (Eze 48:34). In Numbers, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun are on the east (Num 2:3, Num 2:5, Num 2:7). Reuben, Simeon, Gad, on the south (Num 2:10, Num 2:12, Num 2:14). Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, on the west (Num 2:18, Num 2:20, Num 2:22). Dan, Asher, Naphtali, on the north (Num 2:25, Num 2:27, Num 2:29).
John Gill on Revelation 21:13
On the east three gates,.... On which were written the names of Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan:
on the north three gates; on which were written the names of Reuben, Judah, and Levi:
on the south three gates; on which were written the names of Simeon, Issachar, and Zabulon:
and on the west three gates; on which were written the names of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali; see Ezekiel 48:31. This denotes the collection of the saints from all parts of the world, who shall come from east, west, north, and south, and sit down in the kingdom of God; and therefore here are gates at every point to enter in at; see Isaiah 43:5.
