Depending on the version of the New Testament used, areader will find one of two translations in Revelation 22: 14. Thisessay points out which versions use each. These differences are examinedthrough the showing of similar verses for each in the New Testament, discussingGreek Texts, and suggesting possible reasons for the differences. It isthe first clause in the verse which is in question. A total of twenty-sixversions are used in the analysis.

The versions in this section are the only ones which usecommands or commandments in the translation of the first clause.

Following are some of the versions which use robesin the translation of the first clause.

The directive to keep God's commandments comes from theOld Testament. However, it is carried over into the New Testament as indicatedin the following verses.

References to washing oneself or one's clothes is basicallyof the New Testament, although there are types in the Old Testament. Whatis stated in the footnotes of the New Century Version and the WorrellNew Testament is what is generally understood by Christians inthis metaphor.

Those versions listed in the first part concerning Revelation22: 14 used the Received Text of Erasmus (1516), the PeshittaText, some other older text, or simply followed the King James Version.The Greek in the Interlinear Bible reads as follows: poiountes tas entolas.

Those versions listed in the second part concerning Revelation22: 14 used other more recent texts. The Greek in the Greek-English Lexicon(Thayer) reads as follows: plunontes tas stolas auton en to aimati arniou.Thayer further states that it is used of those who by faith so appropriatethe results of Christ's expiation as to be regarded by God as pure andsinless. Lachmann's Greek Text (1842, 1850), Tischendorf's Text(1869-1872), The Greek New Testament of Tregelles (1857-1879), andThe New Testament in the Original Greek by Westcott and Hort usethis Greek in Revelation 22: 14. This is the same reading as stated ina footnote in Moffatt's New Testament.

Thus, the difference in wording is based on the choiceof Greek texts by the various translators. Note that there is some similarityof words between poiountes tas entolas and plunontes tas stolas.

A few versions that speak of washing their clothes inRevelation 22: 14 give Revelation 7: 14 as a cross-reference. However,in chapter 7, the ones who have washed their clothes did so in the bloodof Jesus. It is assumed that this also applies to those in chapter 22,but it does not actually state this. In addition, those in chapter 7 arethey who accept Jesus during the great tribulation. The promise given inchapter 22 does not appear in chapter 7. The reference in Hebrews 9: 14speaks of accepting Jesus during this lifetime, not at the beginning ofeternal life. So many Christians speak of washing themselves in the bloodof Jesus and omit the necessity of keeping the commandments of God afterwards.

Keeping the commandments involves a lifetime. Thus, thisreference is more applicable to what follows in Revelation 22: 14. Howmany people know what the commandments are, let alone trying to keep them?Abiding by the Ten Commandments, recorded in Exodus 20: 3-17, is a goodstart. How many Christians actually abide by all ten, especially the firstfour? These are reiterated in condensed form as the Two Great Commandments,recorded in Matthew 22: 37-40. Two other places that stress the keepingof the commandments are Matthew 19: 17 and 1 John 5: 2-3. Read the NewTestament and find out what is involved in keeping the commandments.

The translators have, for the most part, translated Revelation22: 14 correctly in accordance with what their Greek texts said. However,to imply that the two translations mean the same is an incorrect conclusion.As noted previously, there are two distinct statements in the various Greektexts. Why is that so? At this late date, one can only speculate.

There is a similarity of the two interpretations in theGreek. Since all copying of manuscripts was done by hand, it is possiblethat the scribes misinterpreted the writing of previous scribes. Sincethere are precedents in other passages for both interpretations, probablythe scribes wrote what they thought it was supposed to be. From these manuscripts,the Greek texts to be used in translation into other languages were prepared.It is common knowledge that the manuscripts used by Erasmus for his textwere not the best. Although more information was available for later texts,there is also criticism for such more recent texts as that of Westcottand Hort. Those versions that used different older texts give one interpretation.Those that used more recent texts give the other interpretation. Becauseno autograph has been preserved, it cannot be absolutely proven which translationof the verse is correct.

The above comments assume that there was no deliberateintent to change the wording. Let us suppose that there actually were intentto change from either one to the other. Should this be the case, it isa serious matter. Let us now look at Revelation 22: 18-19. These versesare in the same chapter of the same book as the verse in question.

These two warnings involve the Book of Revelation. Thatincludes the two translations for chapter 22, verse 14. If the change wereintentional, it is more likely that the original reading was as it appearsin the King James Version. If so, there would be evidence of replacementtheology. This would be in keeping with Christian attitudes since the timeof the early church. The Old Testament and any connection with the Jewshave been downplayed. Also, Christians tend to misinterpret what salvationthrough the grace of God really entails. No matter what one's denominationalaffiliation is, the fact that one needs to obey God's commandments stillremains. As is recorded in 1 John 5: 2-3, these are not grievous or burdensome.

Although both of these possibilities may be wrong andanother one right, one needs to note the differences and ponder what theymean. Washing one's clothes in the blood of Jesus is the first step. However,one cannot stop there. It is necessary to keep the commandments. Readingand studying the Bible, both Old Testament and New Testament, will showhow this can be done.