Translation commentary on Revelation 21:5

He who sat upon the throne said: now God speaks. So in many languages it will be helpful to say “God, who sits on the throne, said….”

Behold: see 1.7.

I make all things new: this is the counterpart of the last statement in verse 4. It is probably better to translate, as do New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, “I am making all things new.”

Also he said, “Write this…”: the Greek text does not say that he was speaking to John, but the context makes this quite clear, and the translation should make it specific, as does Good News Translation: “He also said to me” (see 14.13; 19.9; compare 10.4).

Write this: this probably refers only to verses 1-4, not to the whole book, and may be expressed in certain languages as “the things I have just told you.”

For: this is how most translations render the Greek conjunction; some, however, take it to mean “that”: “Write that these words are….” However, for or “because” are more likely.

These words are trustworthy and true: for trustworthy see “faithful” at 1.5; for true see 3.7. If the passive implicit in trustworthy is difficult to express, it may be better to translate “everyone can believe these words; they are true.” Barclay translates “You can believe what I am saying, for it is true.” See similar statements in 15.3; 16.7; 19.2; 22.6; and in 19.9 “These are true words of God.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 21:5

Paragraph 21:5

21:5a

And the One seated on the throne: This phrase refers to God (21:7b). John described him here instead of referring to him directly. For example:

the One sitting on the throne (New Jerusalem Bible)

John named God as the being seated on the throne in other verses (for example, 19:4). It should be clear here that the words the One refer to God. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer to someone else. If that is true in your language, imply or indicate that the phrase refers to God. For example:

The One who sits on the throne ⌊and rules everything⌋
-or-
The ⌊great/greatest⌋ One who sits on the throne
-or-

⌊God,⌋ sitting on the/his throne,

See how you translated a similar phrase “the One seated on the throne” in 6:16.

Behold, I make all things new: The Greek clause here begins with the word “look” (as in the New Jerusalem Bible). The Berean Standard Bible translates this Greek word as Behold. The word emphasizes or calls attention to the words that follow. Other ways to translate this clause are:

Look/Listen, I am making the whole creation new
-or-
Indeed/Hey, I am making all things new

21:5b

Then He said: God spoke to John here. For example:

He also said to me (Good News Translation)

Write this down: This clause refers back to 21:5a or to 21:3b–5a. In some languages it is more natural to use the word “that” or “those” when referring back. For example:

Write that
-or-
Write those things

for: This conjunction introduces the reason that God commanded John to write down those words.

faithful: This word refers to something one can depend on. What God said will certainly happen. Other ways to translate this word are:

reliable (NET Bible)
-or-
can be trusted (Good News Translation)

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