Revelation 21:14Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The foundations of the wall, with the names of the apostles written on them, are the blessed apostles, upon whom the Church of Christ is established.

It is said: “The wall of the city has twelve foundations.” For Christ, whom John means by the wall, has His support in the proclamation of the apostles. Among them He is placed as “a cornerstone, precious,” according to what is written.

“And on them,” that is, on the foundations, “the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.” He clearly reveals this image by explaining that the apostles are the gates and foundations of the holy city, the Church.

Compare Isa 28:16: “Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, firmly established; he who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” Compare also Eph 2:20: “Built on the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the cornerstone.”

After speaking first of the patriarchs, John now mentions the apostles. Although we know that the Church has only one foundation, namely Christ, it is not surprising that twelve are spoken of here. In Christ the apostles were counted worthy to become foundations of the Church.

The Apostle also said: “No one can lay another foundation than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 3:11). In Christ the apostles are also called light: “You are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14), although Christ alone is “the true Light, which enlightens every man coming into the world” (Jn 1:9).

Therefore Christ is the light that enlightens, while the apostles are light that proceeds from the Light. Sacred Scripture often offers many similar expressions.

The word foundations can also signify the patriarchs, who figuratively contain the apostles within themselves. This city is founded through the patriarchs, although through the apostles, as through gates, it was opened more widely to the Gentiles ready to believe. It should also be noted that when the word foundations is used in the plural, it speaks of the teachers or virtues of the Church. When it is used in the singular, it speaks of the Lord, who is the foundation of foundations.

The twelve foundations of the city wall, bearing the names of the apostles, serve as the foundations of the heavenly Church, the heavenly Jerusalem, just as they are the foundations of the earthly Church. This is according to the word of the Lord, who said to the first among them: You are Peter, the rock, and on this rock I will build My Church (Mt 16:18). This also applies to all the apostles, since they received from God the same authority to bind and loose the affairs of men (cf. Mt 18:18).

By what features does the seer of mysteries depict the New Jerusalem, which came down before his eyes from heaven? Here are some of these remarkable features.

“The city has the glory of God, and its light is like a most precious stone” (Rev 21:11). This signifies a certain special nearness of the Lord God to it, so that the whole city is illumined with divine light.

A high wall surrounds the city as a sign that no unworthy person can enter there. The same thought is expressed by the fact that Angels of God keep watch at its twelve gates.

The gates bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. For as these tribes on earth formed the society of God’s chosen people, so their names are also assigned to the chosen ones of heaven.