Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.Revelation 21:4
What does Revelation 21:4 mean?
John describes a future where God personally wipes away every tear, and death, sorrow, crying, and pain will be no more, because the old order of things has passed away. It's a promise of complete, final restoration.
Context
This verse is part of John's vision of the new heaven and new earth near the end of Revelation (chapters 21-22), following the defeat of evil described earlier in the book. It pictures God dwelling directly with His people, ending the passage's imagery with this promise of comfort and the removal of suffering.
Key themes
Related Bible verses
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Bible study
- What does it mean that God Himself wipes away tears, rather than the tears simply stopping?
- How does this promise of a future without death, sorrow, or pain shape how you view present grief?
- What loss or sorrow in your life do you long to see this promise fulfilled for?
Prayer
A short devotional prayer inspired by this verse — not scripture
Lord, I long for the day You wipe away every tear. Until then, meet me in my grief with the hope of what's coming. Amen.
Memorize this verse
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Share this verse
Frequently asked questions
Where does this verse fall in Revelation?
It's part of John's vision of the new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21-22), following the defeat of evil described earlier in the book.
What is promised to end according to this verse?
Death, sorrow, crying, and pain — described as passing away along with 'the former things,' as part of a complete restoration.