Revelation 3:20 Text
King James Version (KJV)
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
World English Bible (WEB)
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
What Revelation 3:20 Means
Jesus is pictured standing outside a door and knocking, which is a surprising image of patience and invitation instead of force. The promise is simple: if anyone hears his voice and opens, he will come in and share a meal. Eating together in the ancient world meant friendship and acceptance, so the 'supper' signals closeness. The KJV says 'sup', and the WEB says 'dine'. Many people know this verse from artwork showing a door without a handle on the outside, and often use it as an invitation to become a Christian. That is a legitimate use, but in context the words are spoken to a church, not to unbelievers. The people in Laodicea were comfortable and self-satisfied, and Jesus is asking them to let him back into their shared life. The verse says he waits to be welcomed, and the choice of opening is ours.
Context of Revelation 3:20
Revelation is traditionally attributed to John, writing in the 90s AD from Patmos. This verse is the end of the letter to the church in Laodicea, one of seven letters to churches in Asia Minor. Laodicea was wealthy and self-reliant, and Jesus calls them lukewarm. Just before this verse he says he rebukes and disciplines those he loves, and right after, he promises a place with him to those who overcome. To read the whole book, see random verse from Revelation.
How to Apply Revelation 3:20
If your faith has gone lukewarm or routine, treat this as an invitation rather than an accusation. Opening the door can be small: a short honest prayer, time in a Gospel, or a meal shared with someone in his name. Nothing here asks you to earn your way back.
Related Verses
- John 14:23 – Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
- Luke 24:29-30 – But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it , and brake, and gave to them.
- Song of Solomon 5:2 – I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying , Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.
- John 10:27 – My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Looking for more verses on this theme? Browse Bible Verses About Faith, each with a short note on its context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Revelation 3:20 mean?
Jesus is portrayed as knocking and waiting for people to welcome him, promising close fellowship, pictured as a shared meal, to anyone who opens. It expresses his patient desire for relationship, not a demand.
Is Revelation 3:20 written to unbelievers?
In context it is addressed to the church in Laodicea, which is made up of people who already claimed faith but had grown complacent. Many Christians also apply it as a general invitation, but the original audience was a lukewarm church.
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