Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 21:11

"having the glory of God: her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal:" — Revelation 21:11 (ASV)

Having the glory of God. A glory or splendour such as was fitting for the dwelling-place of God. The nature of that splendour is described in the following verses.

And her light. In Revelation 21:23 it is said that the glory of God did lighten it. That is, it was made light by the visible symbol of the Deity—the Shekinah. (See Barnes on Luke 2:9; see also Barnes on Acts 9:3).

The word here rendered light—fwsthr—occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Philippians 2:15. It properly means a light, a light-giver, and, in secular writers, commonly means a window. It is used here to denote the brightness or shining of the Divine glory, taking the place of the sun, or of a window.

Like unto a stone most precious. A stone of the richest or most costly nature.

Even like a jasper stone. On the jasper, see Barnes on Revelation 4:3.

It is used there for the same purpose as here, to illustrate the majesty and glory of God.

Clear as crystal. Transparent or resplendent like crystal. There are various kinds of jasper—as red, yellow, and brown, brownish yellow, etc. The stone is essentially a quartz, and the word crystal here is used to show that the form of it referred to by John was clear and bright.