Revelation 21:14

14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Revelation 21:14 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 21:14

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations
Christ is the one and only foundation of his church and people, of the covenant of grace, and of salvation; and of faith, hope, peace, and joy, and of eternal happiness, and so of this glorious state of the church; he will be the light and temple of it, the glory and safety of it; he will be all in all in it; but because he has been ministerially laid as the foundation, by the twelve apostles, for men to build their present and future happiness upon, therefore the foundations of the wall of salvation are said to be twelve; see ( Ephesians 2:20 ) . Moreover, this may denote the firm and immovable state of the church at this time, it being a city which has foundations, or is well founded, ( Hebrews 11:10 ) with which compare ( Isaiah 14:32 ) ( 28:16 ) . Hence it follows,

and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The Alexandrian copy, Vulgate Latin, Syriac and Arabic versions, read, "the twelve names of the twelve apostles"; the allusion seems to be to the inscribing of the names of builders on stones laid in the foundation, in memory of them; and so these wise master builders will be had in everlasting remembrance.

Revelation 21:14 In-Context

12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates.

13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west.

14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.

16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles.