White
One word in Hebrew (laban) and one in Greek (leukos) are usually translated “white” in English Bibles. Whereas black absorbs light and clear objects refract light or allow it through, objects that are white reflect light; and the whiter they are, the more light creates a bright glow rather than a color. So, for example, when Jesus was transfigured in front of his disciples, his clothes became beyond white. “Jesus’ appearance changed in front of them. His face became as bright as the sun and his clothes as white as light” (Matt. 17:2). And when angels took up a post outside Jesus’ empty tomb after his resurrection, their appearance was remarkable: “As they went into the tomb, they saw a young man. He was dressed in a white robe and sat on the right side. They were panic-stricken. The young man said to them, ‘Don’t panic! You’re looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been brought back to life. He’s not here. Look at the place where they laid him’ ” (Mark 16:5–6).
Purity, Righteousness, and Joy
White indicates purity, righteousness, and joy. Speaking out of a repentant heart, David could write, “Purify me from sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow” (Ps. 51:7). And God tells Isaiah, “ ‘Come on now, let’s discuss this!’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are bright red, they will become as white as snow. Though they are dark red, they will become as white as wool’ ” (Isa. 1:18). The whiteness of both snow and wool give an indication of the sense of purity that forgiveness and cleansing bring about in a person’s life.
Jesus was the perfect sacrificial Lamb, without spot or blemish of any kind.
Leviticus 13 has more uses of the term white than any chapter in the Bible. There the color is used to diagnose the severity of skin diseases. Throughout the chapter, the presence of white skin in the affected area is not necessarily bad but always a reason to give that part of the body special attention over time.
White is also associated with royalty. The rich ride on white donkeys (Judg. 5:10 NIV). The home of Ahasuerus had white curtains (Esther 1:6). The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us to show joy by our white garments: “Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil” (9:8 NIV).
The Color of Transcendence
Revelation repeatedly uses the color white in describing what John saw in his vision of the end of history, bringing together its symbolism of purity, righteousness, and joy. Jesus sat on a white throne (Rev. 20:11) and he had a white appearance:
There was someone like the Son of Man among the lamp stands. He was wearing a robe that reached his feet. He wore a gold belt around his waist. His head and his hair were white like wool—like snow. (Rev. 1:13–14)
In his comments to the church at Sardis, Jesus describes what he will do for those who remain faithful to him in this life:
But you have a few people in Sardis who have kept their clothes clean. They will walk with me in white clothes because they deserve it.
Everyone who wins the victory this way will wear white clothes. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life. I will acknowledge them in the presence of my Father and his angels. (Rev. 3:4–5)
White is a symbol of purity and new life.
The purity and righteousness of white also comes through in the garments of those who have been martyred for their faith and in the gathered bride of Christ, the church. Revelation 6:11 describes the former: “Each of the souls was given a white robe. They were told to rest a little longer until all their coworkers, the other Christians, would be killed as they had been killed.” And Revelation 19:7–8 gives us a picture of the church: “His bride has made herself ready. She has been given the privilege of wearing dazzling, pure linen. This fine linen represents the things that God’s holy people do that have his approval.”
Not only does Jesus show up on a white horse to put a final end to Satan’s schemes, but those who come with Jesus are also in white: “The armies of heaven, wearing pure, white linen, follow him on white horses” (Rev. 19:14). And then the culmination of judgment comes: “I saw a large, white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence, but no place was found for them” (Rev. 20:11). In the end of history, God will bring about true purity and victory for those who will spend eternity with him in the New Jerusalem.
Key Verse
I saw a large, white throne and the one who was sitting on it. The earth and the sky fled from his presence, but no place was found for them. (Rev. 20:11)