Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
Having the glory of God - A glory or splendor such as became the dwelling place of God. The nature of that splendor is described in the following verses.
And her light - In Revelation 21:23 it is said that "the glory of God did lighten it." That is, it was made light by the visible symbol of the Deity - the "Shekinah." See the Luke 2:9 note; Acts 9:3 note. The word here rendered "light" - ̀ phōstēr - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Philippians 2:15. It means, properly, a light, a lightgiver, and, in profane writers, means commonly a "window." It is used here to denote the brightness or shining of the divine glory, as supplying the place of the sun, or of a window.
Like unto a stone most precious - A stone of the richest or most costly nature.
Even like a jasper stone - On the jasper, see the notes on Revelation 4:3. It is used there for the same purpose as here, to illustrate the majesty and glory of God.
Clear as crystal - Pellucid or resplendent like crystal. There are various kinds of jasper - as red, yellow, and brown, brownish yellow, etc. The stone is essentially a quartz, and the word "crystal" here is used to show that the form of it referred to by John was clear and bright.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Revelation 21:11:
Joel 3:17
Hebrews 1:3
1 Peter 1:19
Revelation 21:23
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.