Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 22:17

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely." — Revelation 22:17 (ASV)

The first two sentences are not an evangelistic appeal but express the yearning of the Holy Spirit and the “bride” (the whole church, cf. 21:9) for the return of Christ. In v.20 John gives us the Lord Jesus’ answer: “Yes, I am coming soon.” The members of the local congregations in John’s time join in the invitation for Christ to return. Then, any in the congregations who are not yet followers of Jesus are invited to come and take the water of life as a free gift (cf. Romans 3:24; Revelation 21:6). On “the water of life,” cf. 21:6; 22:1; see also comment on v.20).