The Five Crowns Mentioned in the Bible

Crowns of Glory, Rejoicing, Righteouness, Life, Incorruptible

© Jonathan Taylor

Feb 10, 2009

It may appear a strange concept initially, yet in the New Testament there are five specifics crowns
mentioned for believers.

Here then is a short list of how these crowns may be attained and also the purpose of acquiring them.

Firstly there is the Crown of Glory for faithful Servants.

'And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.' (1
Peter 5:4)

Secondly the Crown of rejoicing for soul winners.

'For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus
Christ at His coming? (1 Thessalonians 2:19)

Thirdly the Crown of Righteousness for those who love His return.

'Finally there is a crown laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous judge, will
give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.' (2 Timothy 4:8)

Fourthly the Incorruptible Crown for lives of purity.

'And everyone who competes for a prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable
crown, but we for an imperishable crown.' (1 Corinthians 9v25)

Fifthly the Crown of Life for Christian Martyrs.

'Do not fear any of those things that you are about to suffer. Indeed the devil is about to throw some of you
into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will
give you the crown of life.' (Revelation 2 v10)

More Christians have died for their faith in God in the last century than in all the other ones put together.
They shall obtain the Crown of Life! Furthermore how often is there an encouragement to look forward to
His return and to live lives of purity?

What Next?

One may feel a little uncomfortable with the idea of parading around a heavenly rostrum with crowns in
celestial grandeur here is some good news. The reasoning behind hymns such as ‘crown Him with many
crowns’ correspond with the throne room in heaven found in Revelation Chapter four. The twenty four elders
cast their crowns before Him and in so doing, greatly glorify God.
This makes the Christian life so much more meaningful. Salvation is by grace, not through works. (Eph
2v8:9) Though to whom much is given, much will be expected. Although salvation is a gift from God Jesus
said that everyone must give an account for every idle word spoken. (Matthew 12:36) In His Father’s house
though, there are many mansions of which He has already gone to prepare for those who believe in Him.
(John 14:1-3) Finally what will the response of those who have been given talents? Surely those with talents
given to them by God should use them for His glory.

References

Bridges, M. & Thring, G. Crown Him with many Crowns 1874

King James Version Marked Reference Study Bible General Editor Jeffery, G.R Zondervan Publishing
House Grand Rapids 1998

Johnson, C.G. The account

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What kind and how many crowns are found in the Bible? Print Page
Q. Can you tell me what are the five crowns and where they are found? I found the
Crown of Gold in Revelation 4:4 and the Crown of Life in Revelation 2:10 but would like
to find the others.

A. The best way I found to attack this problem is to use my Bible search engine and I
typed in "crown of" and came up with quite a few. After discarding the few that had to
do with a crown one wears on the head in a physical way I am assuming you mean
those Crowns that Christians should receive for Eternity. I had not thought about these
crowns until this question was asked.

I found three references to the Crown of Gold. Exodus 39:30 [ a physical counterpart to
the spiritual crown], Esther 8:15, and Psalms 21:3 discussing both David and Jesus
Christ.

I found 6 references to the Crown of Glory. Proverbs 4:9, Proverbs 16:31 showing that
the wisdom learned over time is a crown of glory for the aged, Isaiah 28:5 discussing
the future of Israel, Isaiah 62:3, Jeremiah 13:18 discussing the physical reigns of kings
and queens whose crown of glory is fleeting at best. and lastly Peter tells Christians that
they will receive the final Crown of Glory from the Chief Shepherd in 1 Peter 5:4.

I found one crown of her husband in Proverbs 12:4.

I found one crown of the wise in Proverbs 14:24

I found two crowns of pride in Isaiah 28:1 and verse 3 both talking about something we
do not want to have.

I found the crown of rejoicing in 1Thessalonians 2:19.

I found one crown of Righteousness in 2 Timothy 4:8 which is something we will be

given by the Righteous Judge when he returns.

I found two references to the Crown of Life promised to those who love God and His
Son. in James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10.

So I am assuming that what you were looking for was the Crowns of Glory, Rejoicing,
Righteousness, Gold and Life but as you can see there are several others as well that
might be part of the package as well.
 The Different Crowns in the Bible
There are about 11 crowns throughout scripture.
 Some of them we receive as unbelievers (Crown of Pride)
 Some of them we may receive at the moment of salvation (Crown of
anointing Oil, Crown in Revelations 3:11)
 Some we receive after death (Crown of gold, rejoicing, life, righteousness,
glory)
 Some are identified with Satan (Seven crowns of the Red Dragon)
 Some are identified with Christ (Many Crowns, Gold, Crown of the Wise,
Glory & Honour, Thorns)

Crown of the anointing oil:

Leviticus 21
11
   Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for
his mother;
12
   Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God;
for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD.
13
   And he shall take a wife in her virginity.

Crown of Gold:

Exodus 39
29
   And a girdle of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, of
needlework; as the LORD commanded Moses.
30
   And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a
writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
31
   And they tied unto it a lace of blue, to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the
LORD commanded Moses.

Psalm 21
2
   Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of
his lips. Selah.
3
   For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown
of pure gold on his head.
4
   He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and
ever.

Revelation 3
10
   Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from
the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth.
11
   Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take
thy crown.
12
   Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall
go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of
the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven
from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 4
3
   And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there
was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.
4
   And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I
saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their
heads crowns of gold.
5
   And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and
there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven
Spirits of God.

Revelation 4
9
   And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on
the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10
   The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and
worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the
throne, saying,
11
   Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast
created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Revelation 6
1
   And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the
noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2
   And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a
crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
3
   And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say,
Come and see.

Revelation 9
6
   And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire
to die, and death shall flee from them.
7
   And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and
on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the
faces of men.
8
   And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of
lions.

Revelation 14
13
   And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest
from their labours; and their works do follow them.
14
   And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto
the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp
sickle.
15
   And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that
sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to
reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.

Crown of Twelve Stars (Israel and/or the Church?):

Revelation 12
1
   And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun,
and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2
   And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

Crown of Dragon (Satan):

Revelation 12
3
   And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red
dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
4
   And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the
earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered,
for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Many Crowns of Christ

Revelation 19
11
   And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon
him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make
war.
12
   His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he
had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13
   And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called
The Word of God.

Crown of Rejoicing:

1 Thessalonians 2
18
   Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but
Satan hindered us.
19
   For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
20
   For ye are our glory and joy.

Crown of Righteousness:

2 Timothy 4
7
   I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8
   Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord,
the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all
them also that love his appearing.
9
   Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

Crown of the Wise:

Proverbs 14
23
   In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
24
   The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.
25
   A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

Crown of Life:

James 1
11
   For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass,
and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also
shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12
   Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13
   Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be
tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

Revelation 2
9
   I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know
the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the
synagogue of Satan.
10
   Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast
some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten
days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
11
   He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He
that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Crown of Glory and Honour:

Psalm 8
4
   What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou
visitest him?
5
   For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him
with glory and honour.
6
   Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put
all things under his feet:

Hebrews 2
6
   But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful
of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?
7
   Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with
glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
8
   Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in
subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see
not yet all things put under him.
9
   But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the
suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God
should taste death for every man.
10
   For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in
bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect
through sufferings.

1 Peter 5
3
   Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.
4
   And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory
that fadeth not away.
5
   Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be
subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud,
and giveth grace to the humble.

Crown of Thorns:

Matthew 27
28
   And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
29
   And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and
a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him,
saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
30
   And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head.

Crown of Pride:
Isaiah 28
1
   Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious
beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are
overcome with wine!
2
   Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and
a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to
the earth with the hand.
3
   The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet:
4
   And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a
fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that
looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up.
Question: "Where was Jesus for the three days between His death and
resurrection?"

Answer: 1 Peter 3:18-19 states, "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for
the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by
the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison." The phrase,
"by the Spirit," in verse 18 is exactly the same construction as the phrase, "in the flesh."
So it seems best to relate the word "spirit" to the same realm as the word "flesh." The
flesh and spirit are Christ's flesh and spirit. The words "made alive by (in) the spirit"
point to the fact that Christ's sin-bearing and death brought about the separation of His
human spirit from the Father (Matthew 27:46). The contrast is between flesh and spirit, as
in Matthew 27:46 and Romans 1:3-4, and not between Christ's flesh and the Holy Spirit.
When Christ's atonement for sin was completed, His spirit restored the fellowship which
had been broken.

First Peter 3:18-22 describes a necessary link between Christ's suffering (verse 18) and
His glorification (verse 22). Only Peter gives specific information about what happened
between these two events. The word "preached" in verse 19 is not the usual word in the
New Testament to describe the preaching of the gospel. It literally means to herald a
message. Jesus suffered and died on the Cross, His body being put to death, and His spirit
died when He was made sin. But His spirit was made alive and He yielded it to the
Father. According to Peter, sometime between His death and His resurrection Jesus made
a special proclamation to "the spirits in prison."

To begin with, Peter referred to people as "souls" and not "spirits" (3:20). In the New
Testament, the word "spirits" is used to describe angels or demons, not human beings,
and verse 22 seems to bear out this meaning. Also, nowhere in the Bible are we told that
Jesus visited hell. Acts 2:31 says that He went to "Hades" (New American Standard
Bible), but "Hades" is not hell. The word "Hades" refers to the realm of the dead, a
temporary place where they await the resurrection. Revelation 20:11-15 in the NASB or
the New International Version give a clear distinction between the two. Hell is the
permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades is a temporary place.

Our Lord yielded His spirit to the Father, died, and at some time between death and
resurrection, visited the realm of the dead where He delivered a message to spirit beings
(probably fallen angels; see Jude 6) who were somehow related to the period before the
flood in Noah's time. Verse 20 makes this clear. Peter did not tell us what He proclaimed
to these imprisoned spirits, but it could not be a message of redemption since angels
cannot be saved (Hebrews 2:16). It was probably a declaration of victory over Satan and
his hosts (1 Peter 3:22; Colossians 2:15). Ephesians 4:8-10 also seems to indicate that
Christ went to “paradise” (Luke 16:20; 23:43) and took to heaven all those who had
believed in Him prior to His death. The passage doesn’t give a great amount of detail
about what occurred, but most Bible scholars agree that this is what is meant by “led
captivity captive.”

So, all that to say, the Bible isn’t entirely clear what exactly Christ did for the three days
between His death and resurrection. It does seem, though, that He was preaching victory
over the fallen angels and/or unbelievers. What we can know for sure is that Jesus was
not giving people a second chance for salvation. The Bible tells us that we face judgment
after death (Hebrews 9:27), not a second chance. There isn't really any definitively clear
answer for what Jesus was doing for the time between His death and resurrection.
Perhaps this is one of the mysteries we will understand once we reach glory.

After His resurrection, why did Jesus tell Mary not to touch Him,
but later tell Thomas to touch Him?

Question: "After His resurrection, why did Jesus tell Mary not to touch Him, but
later tell Thomas to touch Him?"

Answer: Jesus tells Mary, “Touch Me not” (John 20:17, KJV); but then later, speaking to
Thomas, He says, “Reach hither thy finger and behold My hands; and reach hither thy
hand, and thrust it into My side” (verse 27). The seeming incongruity of Jesus’ statements
is resolved when we examine the language Jesus employed and consider the basic
difference between the two situations.

In John 20:17, the word translated “touch” is a Greek word which means “to cling to, to
lay hold of.” This wasn’t just a touch; it was a grip. Obviously, when Mary recognized
Jesus, she immediately clung to Him. Matthew 28:9 records the other women doing the
same thing when they saw the resurrected Christ.

Mary’s reaction was motivated, possibly, by several things. One is simply her loving
devotion to the Lord. Mary is overwhelmed by the events of the morning, and as her grief
turns to joy, she naturally embraces Jesus. Another motivation is Mary’s desire to restore
the fellowship that death had broken. She had lost Him once, and she was going to make
sure she didn’t lose Him again—she wanted to keep Jesus with her always. Also, Mary
may have been thinking that this was the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to return (John
14:3), in which case He would take her (and all believers) with Him to heaven.

However, it was not Jesus’ plan to stay in this world always, and His resurrection was not
to be seen as His promised return. That is why He tells Mary of the ascension. His plan
was to ascend to the Father and then send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7; 20:22; Acts 2:1-4).
Fellowship with Jesus would continue, but it would be a spiritual communion, not a
physical presence.

In loosening Mary’s hold on Him, Jesus was, in effect, saying this: “I know you desire to
keep Me here, always present with you. I know you want everything to be just the same
as before I died. But our relationship is about to change. I’m going to heaven, and you
will have the Comforter in My place. You need to start walking by faith, Mary, not by
sight.”

When Jesus spoke to Thomas, it was not to counter a misplaced desire but to rebuke a
lack of faith. Thomas had said he would not believe until he had touched the living body
of Jesus (John 20:25). Jesus, knowing all about Thomas’s declaration, offered His body
as living proof of His resurrection. This was something He did on another occasion as
well (Luke 24:39-40).

So, both Mary and Thomas needed more faith. Mary needed faith enough to let Jesus go.
Thomas needed faith enough to believe without empirical proof. Mary needed to loosen
her grip; Thomas needed to strengthen his. The resurrected Christ gave both of them the
faith they needed.

Recommended Resource: Jesus: The Greatest Life of All by Charles Swindoll.