Revelation 19 · Verse 8

Revelation 19:8

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Revelation 19:8, King James Version

Revelation 19:8 in other translations

BSBShe was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure.” For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.
WEBIt was given to her that she would array herself in bright, pure, fine linen, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
ASVAnd it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
YLTand there was given to her that she may be arrayed with fine linen, pure and shining, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.'
DARBYAnd it was given to her that she should be clothed in fine linen, bright and pure; for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the saints.
BBEAnd to her it was given to be clothed in delicate linen, clean and shining: for the clean linen is the righteousness of the saints.
WebsterAnd to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

What does Revelation 19:8 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
8. granted--Though in one sense she "made herself ready," having by the Spirit's work in her put on "the wedding garment," yet in the fullest sense it is not she, but her Lord, who makes her ready by "granting to her that she be arrayed in fine linen." It is He who, by giving Himself for her, presents her to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, but holy and without blemish. It is He also who sanctifies her, naturally vile and without beauty, with the washing of water by the word, and puts His own comeliness on her, which thus becomes hers. clean and white--so Andreas. But A and B transpose. Translate, "bright and pure"; at once brilliantly splendid and spotless as in the bride herself. righteousness--Greek, "righteousnesses"; distributively used. Each saint must have this righteousness: not merely be justified, as if the righteousness belonged to the Church in the aggregate; the saints together have righteousnesses; namely, He is accounted as "the Lord our righteousness" to each saint on his believing, their robes being made white in the blood of the Lamb. The righteousness of the saint is not, as Alford erroneously states, inherent, but is imputed: if it were otherwise, Christ would be merely enabling the sinner to justify himself. Ro 5:18 is decisive on this. Compare Article XI, Church of England. The justification already given to the saints in title and unseen possession, is now GIVEN them in manifestation: they openly walk with Christ in white. To this, rather than to their primary justification on earth, the reference is here. Their justification before the apostate world, which had persecuted them, contrasts with the judgment and condemnation of the harlot. "Now that the harlot has fallen, the woman triumphs" [Auberlen]. Contrast with the pure fine linen (indicating the simplicity and purity) of the bride, the tawdry ornamentation of the harlot. Babylon, the apostate Church, is the antithesis to new Jerusalem, the transfigured Church of God. The woman (Re 12:1-6), the harlot (Re 17:1-7), the bride (Re 19:1-10), are the three leading aspects of the Church.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 8. And to her was granted. It is not said here by whom this was granted, but it is perhaps implied that this was conferred by the Saviour himself on his bride.

That she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. Rev 3:4; Rev 3:5, Rev 3:,18; Rev 7:13. White has, perhaps, in all countries been the usual colour of the bridal dress--as an emblem of innocence.

For the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Represents the righteousness of the saints; or is an emblem of it. It should be remarked, however, that it is implied here, as it is everywhere in the Scriptures, that this is not their own righteousness, for it is said that this was "given" to the bride--to the saints. It is the gracious bestowment of their Lord; and the reference here must be to that righteousness which they obtain by faith--the righteousness which results from justification through the merits of the Redeemer. Of this Paul speaks, when he says, (Php 3:9,) "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Compare Rom 3:25 Rom 3:26.

(d) "arrayed" Rev 3:4, Isa 61:10 (1) "white" "bright" (e) "righteousness" Ps 132:9

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 8 Arrayed in fine linen - A prediction that the Church should become more pure in her doctrines, more pious in her experience, and more righteous in her conduct, than she had ever been from her formation. The fine linen here spoken of is not the righteousness of Christ imputed to believers, for it is here called the righteousness of the saints - that which the grace and Spirit of Christ has wrought in them.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Revelation 19:1-10

Chapter Outline The church in heaven and that on earth triumph, and praise the Lord for his righteous judgments. (1-10) A vision of Christ going forth to destroy the beast and his armies. (11-21) Verses 1-10 Praising God for what we have, is praying for what is yet further to be done for us. There is harmony between the angels and the saints in this triumphant song. Christ is the Bridegroom of his ransomed church…

Read the full comment on Revelation 19:1-10 →

Revelation 19:8 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἐδόθηedothēit was givenG1325
αὐτῇautēato herG846
ἵναinathatG2443
περιβάληταιperibalētaishe may be clothed inG4016
βύσσινονbussinonfine linenG1039
λαμπρὸνlampronbrightG2986
καθαρόν·katharonpure;G2513
τὸto<the>G3588
γὰρgarForG1063
βύσσινονbussinonthe fine linenG1039
τὰtatheG3588
δικαιώματαdikaiōmatarighteous actsG1345
τῶνtōnof theG3588
ἁγίωνhagiōnsaintsG40
ἐστίν.estinis.G1510

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Revelation 19:8

  • Isaiah 61:10

    I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

  • Revelation 7:13-14

    And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

  • Ephesians 5:26-27

    That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

  • Psalms 132:9

    Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let thy saints shout for joy.

  • Mark 9:3

    And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

  • Ezekiel 16:10

    I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers’ skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk.

  • Revelation 3:4-5

    Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

  • Matthew 22:12

    And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

  • Revelation 3:18

    I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

  • Romans 13:14

    But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

  • Revelation 15:4

    Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

  • Acts 1:10

    And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
to her.
3:4,5,18; Ps 45:13,14; Isa 61:10; Eze 16:10; Mt 22:12; Ro 3:22
Ro 13:14; Eph 5:26,27
white. or, bright.
Mt 17:2; Mr 9:3; Lu 24:4; Ac 1:10
the fine.
7:13,14; Ps 132:9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Revelation 19:7

    Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

  • Revelation 19:8

    And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

  • Revelation 19:9

    And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Read all of Revelation 19

Revelation 19:8 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y le fué dado que se vista de lino fino, limpio y brillante: porque el lino fino son las justificaciones de los santos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et il lui a été donné d’être vêtue de fin lin, éclatant et pur, car le fin lin, ce sont les justices des saints.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und es ward ihr gegeben, daß sie sich kleide in feine Leinwand, glänzend und rein; denn die feine Leinwand sind die Gerechtigkeiten der Heiligen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et datum est illi ut cooperiat se byssino splendenti et candido. Byssinum enim justificationes sunt sanctorum.