Revelation of John 22:19 · Bible study
Revelation 22:19 Commentary: Warning Against Taking Away from Prophecy
Greek · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Revelation 22:19 warns against tampering with this prophety, threatening removal from the tree of life and holy city.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Those who remove parts of this prophecy risk losing their share in eternal life and the New Jerusalem.
- Key words: “takes away” (aphelē/aphaireō, to remove or cut off); “tree of life” (xulon zōēs, the source of eternal life, Rev 2:7).
- Main debate: Does the warning apply only to Revelation (Barnes, Gill) or to the whole Bible (Wesley)? And does it mean loss of salvation or loss of reward?
- Theological theme: The inviolability of God’s revealed word, and the seriousness of handling Scripture.
- Best use: As a call to respect and faithfully teach the prophetic message, while trusting God’s grace (Rev 22:21).
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.
WEB World English Bible 2000
If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
KJV King James Version 1769
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and if any one may take away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the scroll of the life, and out of the holy city, and the things that have been written in this scroll;'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And if any one take from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from these things that are written in this book.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y si alguno quitare de las palabras del libro de esta profecía, Dios quitará su parte del libro de la vida, y de la santa ciudad, y de las cosas que están escritas en este libro.
E se alguém tirar das palavras do livro desta profecia, Deus tirará sua parte da árvore da vida, e da cidade santa, e das coisas que estão escritas neste livro.
et si quelqu’ un retranche quelque chose des paroles du livre de cette prophétie, Dieu retranchera sa part de l’ arbre de la vie et de la ville sainte, décrits dans ce livre.
Und so jemand davontut von den Worten des Buchs dieser Weissagung, so wird Gott abtun sein Teil von Holz des Lebens und von der heiligen Stadt, davon in diesem Buch geschrieben ist.
En indien iemand afdoet van de woorden des boeks dezer profetie, God zal zijn deel afdoen uit het boek des levens, en uit de heilige stad, en uit hetgeen in dit boek geschreven is.
e se alcuno toglie qualcosa dalle parole del libro di questa profezia, Iddio gli torrà la sua parte dell’albero della vita e della città santa, delle cose scritte in questo libro.
A jeźliby kto ujął ze słów księgi proroctwa tego, odejmie też Bóg część jego z księgi żywota i z miasta świętego, i z tych rzeczy, które są napisane w tej księdze.
и если кто отнимет что от слов книги пророчества сего, у того отнимет Бог участие в книге жизни и в святом граде и в том, что написано в книге сей.
這 書 上的預言，若有 人 刪去甚麼， 神 必從 這書 上 所寫 的 生命 樹 和 聖 城 刪去 他的 分。
And if any man takes away from the words of this book, God will take away from him his part in the tree of life and the holy town, even the things which are in this book.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Revelation of John 22:19
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Revelation 22:19 is a severe warning against altering the prophetic message of this book. Adam Clarke warns that to "lessen the meaning" or "explain away the spirit and design" of these prophecies brings God’s judgment. Barnes sees it as a guard against deliberate corruption, whether by omission or through misinterpretation. The text itself is debated: what is taken away is the “part from the tree of life” (Cambridge Bible, ASV, BSB), not “book of life” as in KJV. But the core point remains: those who tamper with this prophecy forfeit their share in the blessings described, the tree of life and the holy city. Most commentators understand this as exclusion from salvation (Barnes, Gill). Wesley applies the warning broadly to the whole New Testament. Despite differences, all agree that God holds the integrity of his revealed word as sacred.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Limited to Revelation: Barnes and Gill note that the phrase 'this book of prophecy' refers specifically to Revelation; the warning echoes the book's own opening promise (Rev 1:3).
- Extended to the entire Bible: Wesley sees it as guarding the whole New Testament, comparing it to Deut 4:2 and Mal 4:4, which close the Law and the Old Testament respectively.
What is clear: Tampering with the prophetic message of this book brings severe consequences, including exclusion from the eternal blessings promised in it.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Scope of the warning | It applies at least to the book of Revelation itself. | John Wesley applies it to the whole New Testament, seeing it as a parallel to Moses guarding the Law (Deut 4:2) and Malachi closing the Old Testament. Barnes and Gill limit it to the prophecy of this book. |
| Nature of the penalty | It involves exclusion from the blessings of eternal life and God’s presence. | Most early commentators (Barnes, Gill) see it as loss of salvation. Some modern readers interpret it as loss of reward or a “seeming part” that flatters the self but was never truly theirs (Gill). |
| Textual reading: tree or book of life | The earliest manuscripts (Sinaiticus, Alexandrinus) read “tree of life.” | The KJV and Douay follow later manuscripts reading “book of life.” The sense is similar, but “tree of life” ties directly to Genesis 2:9 and Rev 2:7. |
| What counts as taking away | Deliberate removal or corruption of the text is in view. | Clarke includes lessening the meaning or explaining away the spirit of the prophecies. Barnes focuses on intentional striking out of portions. Some include neglect or avoidance of teaching. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Revelation 22:19 sits in the epilogue of the book (22:6, 21). John has just finished his series of visions, and the angel and Jesus himself give final words. The book is repeatedly called a “prophecy” (Rev 1:3; 22:7, 10, 18, 19), linking it to the Old Testament prophetic tradition. John likely wrote to seven churches in Asia Minor, where the scroll would be read aloud in worship (Rev 1:3).
The warning echoes Deuteronomy 4:2, where Moses forbids adding to or taking away from God’s commands. This reflects a long-standing covenant pattern: God’s word is not to be altered by human hands. The tree of life reaches back to Genesis 2:9 and appears earlier in Revelation as a promise to overcomers (2:7). The holy city is the New Jerusalem, described at length in chapter 21. These are the ultimate blessings of eternal life and intimate communion with God.
In the ancient world, books were hand-copied, and there was temptation to edit or censor difficult passages. John’s warning may anticipate attempts by false teachers, or even future persecutors, to suppress or alter prophecies of judgment (Barnes). Clarke notes that John intended to prevent speculative interpretation of the book’s puzzling symbols. The self-authenticating nature of the revelation undergirds this warning.
Textual Notes
The most significant textual variant in this verse is between “tree of life” (ξύλου τῆς ζωῆς) and “book of life” (βίβλου τῆς ζωῆς). The majority of early Greek manuscripts (including Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Alexandrinus) read “tree of life,” as reflected in the ASV, WEB, and BSB. The KJV and Douay follow a later tradition reading “book of life,” which appears in some Byzantine manuscripts. The Cambridge Bible and Vincent’s Word Studies both argue for “tree of life” on textual grounds. While the readings differ, the sense is similar: both refer to the source of eternal life.
Reception History
From the early centuries, Christians have read this verse as a solemn guardrail around the prophetic message. Irenaeus and Tertullian echoed similar warnings that nothing can be added to or removed from Scripture. Throughout church history, this verse has been cited in defense of the closed canon and against apocryphal additions. The warning has also been a caution for interpreters: Adam Clarke confessed it kept him from speculative conjecture. John Wesley applied it to the entire New Testament as a closing sanction parallel to Moses and Malachi. The verse continues to be used in discussions about Bible translation and doctrinal integrity, reminding readers that the words of this prophecy, like all Scripture, come from God and demand faithful stewardship.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The word is sacred. This prophecy comes from God and carries his full authority. To treat it lightly is to treat God lightly.
- Tampering has consequences. Whether by adding, subtracting, or distorting, those who alter the message lose their share in its promises. The penalty comes from God himself.
- The blessings are real. The tree of life and the holy city stand as concrete hopes for the faithful. This warning protects those blessings, not just the text.
Five-point outline
- The condition: “If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy.” The act includes omission, neglect, or wilful misinterpretation (Clarke).
- The agent: God himself enacts the penalty. This is not a natural consequence but direct divine judgment.
- The penalty: “God will take away his part from the tree of life.” The offender is excluded from the eternal life that the tree symbolizes.
- The scope: “and out of the holy city.” The New Jerusalem is the dwelling place of God with his people. Exclusion means being shut out of God’s presence.
- The ground: “which are written in this book.” The promises are fixed; no human interference can change them, only remove the offender from their enjoyment.
Illustration hooks
- A Bible study that jumps over Revelation because it feels too strange, losing the hope it offers.
- A pastor who avoids teaching about judgment in order to keep the congregation comfortable, effectively “taking away” part of the message.
- A person who picks and chooses which verses to follow, trimming Scripture to fit personal preferences.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does this mean I can lose my salvation if I mishandle Scripture?
- Is this warning only for Revelation, or for the whole Bible?
- What counts as “taking away”? What about interpreting a passage differently from the original meaning?
Leading a Discussion
This verse stands at the end of the Bible’s most mysterious book. It is a warning, but also a protection. It reminds us that God’s word is not ours to manipulate. Before you discuss, read Revelation 22:18, 21 and note how grace (v.21) balances the warning.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What does the verse say will happen to those who take away from the prophecy?
- Observation: What two blessings are threatened? (tree of life, holy city)
- Interpretation: How does this verse connect with Deuteronomy 4:2 and the way Moses guarded the law?
- Interpretation: Why do you think the Bible ends with such a severe warning?
- Interpretation: The earliest Greek copies read “tree of life” rather than “book of life.” How does that affect the meaning?
- Application: In what ways might people today “take away from” Scripture? Are there cultural pressures that lead us to soften difficult truths?
- Application: How can this warning shape the way you read and teach the Bible, especially the book of Revelation?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 32:33 | Yahweh said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book. |
| Deuteronomy 4:2 | You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh your God which I command you. |
| Psalms 69:28 | Let them be blotted out of the book of life, and not be written with the righteous. |
| Luke 11:52 | Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.” |
| Revelation of John 1:3 | Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is near. |
| Revelation of John 2:7 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God. |
| Revelation of John 2:11 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. He who overcomes won’t be harmed by the second death. |
| Revelation of John 2:17 | He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows but he who receives it. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke warns that tampering with the meaning of these prophecies is spiritually dangerous, and he takes the warning personally. He refuses to indulge his own guesses or adopt others' conjectures, instead leaving the obscure symbols to time and event as the surest interpreters, since only God can solve the enigmas.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes warns that the threat against removing part of Revelation applies especially to professing Christians who might corrupt the text, since unbelievers tend to reject the whole book. He explains that losing one's part in the book of life means forfeiting a claimed inheritance, not that the name was ever truly written there.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator argues that a key phrase should read "from the Tree of Life" rather than "out of the book of life." The "and" before "from the Holy City" is also an error, so the passage lists blessings as: from the Tree of Life, out of the Holy City, and from all good things written.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note stresses that the invitation to take the water of life is utterly unrestricted. The Spirit and the church together issue the call, and every hearer is to pass it along. Anyone who is thirsty and simply wills to come may drink freely.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill identifies three ways people detract from this prophecy: denying its authority, forbidding its reading, or twisting its meaning about antichrist. He stresses that the punishment of being removed from the book of life, holy city, and promised blessings applies only to those who never had a true share. For such persons, it is the removal of a false claim, not a real loss.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the best manuscripts read "tree of life" rather than "book of life" in this verse, meaning the curse is being deprived of the tree of life. He also observes a deliberate symmetry: a blessing opens the book, and a curse closes it against those who tamper with its words.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
The Book of Life. Read tou xulou the tree. So Rev.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley sees the warning about adding or taking away as applying to the whole New Testament, not just Revelation. He compares it to the way Moses and Malachi guarded the Law and the Old Testament canon. He also warns that anyone who hinders believers from longing for Christ's return shares in this guilt.