Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 21:2

"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven of God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband." — Revelation 21:2 (ASV)

And I John saw the holy city . . .—Better, And the holy city, new Jerusalem, I saw coming down out of heaven from God, prepared . . . The name John is omitted in the best manuscripts.

The new Jerusalem is more fully described later on (Revelation 21:10 and following). The city is also the bride . Both images—the “city” and the “bride”—are familiar to the Bible student. The sacred city appears linked to God by a sacred bond (Isaiah 61:10; Isaiah 62:4–5; Galatians 4:26; Ephesians 5:25–27).

The city-bride is now adorned for her Husband. We know what her ornaments are, now that He is about to present her to Himself a glorious Church: the meekness and gentleness of Christ, and her loving obedience to Him (1 Peter 3:4), are her jewels.

She is seen, not rising from earth or sea, like the foes of righteousness (Revelation 13:1; Revelation 13:11), but coming down from heaven. The world will never evolve a golden age or ideal state. The new Jerusalem must descend from God. The true pattern, which alone will realize humanity’s highest wishes, is the pattern in the mount of God (Acts 7:44).