Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 22:14

"Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right [to come] to the tree of life, and my enter in by the gates into the city." — Revelation 22:14 (ASV)

Blessed are they that do his commandments . . .—The reading of two of the best manuscripts is, “Blessed are they that wash their robes.” If we adopt, as we probably should, this reading, the line of thought suggested above is advanced.

In Him who is the First and the Last, there is a refuge from the power of sin and law, against which such a solemn warning has been given.

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin: the best who have striven and conquered were victors not by their own might, but by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11). If, however, we follow the Received Text, we have a benediction which echoes the blessing promised to obedience in Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:9: this echoing of promises from point to point is in harmony with the spirit of the whole epilogue. (Revelation 22:9; Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:12.)

The special blessing held out to those who wash their robes (or do His commandments) is the right or authority over the tree of life. Blessed are they . . . that they may have (and continue to have) authority over the tree of life, and that they may enter in by the gates into the city. Admission into the city by the gate, which is of one pearl, and the continuous access to the tree of life, are the privileges of the faithful; and these privileges are free to all, for warnings do not forfeit privileges, but rather, they urge us to use them.