Laodicea, the leading city in the Lycus Valley, lay 64 km to the southeast of Philadelphia, in the region of Phrygia. Its near neighbors were Hierapolis and Colossae. Paul mentions Laodicea in his Letter to the Colossians as a city where his colleague Epaphras had evangelized (and probably founded the local church: Col 2:1; 4:12–16).
“It was a banking center, a manufacturer of clothing and carpets of the native glossy-black wool, and the seat of a medical school noted for ‘Phrygian powder’ used in the making of eye salve” (Wilfred Harrington).
The city was wealthy enough that when it was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60, it declined to accept Roman aid and rebuilt itself from its own resources.
3:14
Christ presents himself to the Laodiceans with titles that do not appear in the opening vision (Rev 1:13–18). He calls himself “the Amen” — a title for God in Is 65:16 that emphasizes the certainty of his power to accomplish what he decides. In naming himself the faithful and true witness (echoing 1:5), he underscores the reliability of what he is about to say.
Finally he identifies himself as the source or the ruler of God’s creation. The “source” of God’s creation finds support in Col 1:18 and Prov 8:22. On the other hand, the “ruler” connects with Rev 1:5 and presents Christ as the sovereign ruler over all things (Rev 2:26–27; 3:21; 12:5; 17:14; 19:15–16; 20:4–6).
3:15–16
Christ reproves the Laodiceans for being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold. It is said that the nearby city of Hierapolis was famous for its hot healing springs, while Colossae was known for its cold freshwater. Laodicea had no water source of its own but received lukewarm water from an aqueduct whose source was near Hierapolis. But we also know that people in those times either prefer cold drink in summer time or hot drinks in winter.
We often take “lukewarm” to mean half-hearted, indifferent, vacillating. This would be in contrast to “hot” as fervent, ardent, enthusiastic (cf. the related verb in Acts 18:25; Rom 12:11) and “cold” as lifeless, aloof, hard-hearted (cf. related verb in Matt 24:12). But it seems that both hot and cold are desirable in this case. What is not desirable is being “neither hot nor cold”.
The Greek word translated “spit” literally means “vomit”; There was something in the conduct of Christian in Laodicea that Christ could not tolerate - perhaps their arrogance and self-sufficiency.
3:17
“I have prospered and have no need of anything.” What was the source of their deceptive self-satisfaction? We are not told why the Laodicean Christians consider themselves rich and needing nothing, only that their self-confidence is drastically misplaced. They are the opposite of the church in Smyrna (2:9) and they foreshadow Babylon (18:7–8, 16–19). Their true situation is that they are “not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).
Five stark words describe their true condition: you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
3:18
Despite Jesus’ stern warning, there is hope for the Laodicean Christians if they will accept the counsel that he gives.
First he advises them to buy from him what they need. Christ employs irony in naming the three things they lack and must acquire from him, since their city was famous for wealth, textiles, and eye medicine. Since these items are also familiar biblical symbols, Christ is urging them to seek specific spiritual goods from him which they cannot obtain them by themselves:
gold refined by fire symbolizes faith in Christ that has been purified by enduring trial (1 Cor 3:12–14; 1 Pet 1:7; see also Mt 6:19–21; 1 Tim 6:19),
white garments symbolize pure and righteous conduct (see Rev 3:4–5) and the removal of humiliation that sin brings (see Rev 16:15; 17:16; Gen 2:25; 3:10–11; Is 20:3–4),
and ointment to smear on eyes symbolizes the anointing of the Holy Spirit that gives true discernment (1 John 2:27).
The image of blindness and sight speaks of the spiritual enlightenment that comes with Christian conversion and instruction (cf. John 1:4–5; 8:12; 9:39–41; 12:46; 2 Cor 4:4). Already in this passage Christ has begun to open their minds to truth about themselves that they were not able to realise (Rev 3:17).
“Buy from me” (see Is 55:1). The metaphor of buying does not indicate that they can actually buy it - with what currency will they pay for it? It indicates the source - only in Christ they can find what they need.
3:19
“Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise”. All of Jesus’ reproofs in his messages to the churches are motivated by his covenant love (1:5; see also Prov 3:12 and Heb 12:5–11). Then, they are called to repent.
Their situation demands their earnest attention and a decisive change of direction.
3:20
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (see Luke 12:35–38). The invitation is to anyone who hears Christ’s voice and opens the door—a universal offer of salvation. Christ promises to enter when the resident opens the door. The promise of entering his house and dine with him, and he with Christ is a powerful image of intimacy.
In the Middle East, sharing a meal indicates a relationship of trust and friendship. To dine with Christ is to be united to him in his covenant and to know his love; it recalls our table fellowship with him in the Eucharist.
The statement probably also points to the coming banquet - the marriage supper of the Lamb (Isa 25:6–8; Matt 8:11; 26:29; Luke 14:15; 22:30; Rev 19:9) that the redeemed will enjoy when Christ returns.
3:21–22
The risen Lord adds another extraordinary promise. Christ will give those who are victorious the right to sit with him on his throne, just as he first won the victory and the right to reign with his Father on his throne (see Ps 110:1; Rev 19:16).
Jesus conquered by perfectly obeying the Father (John 8:29; 16:33; 17:4–5; Phil 2:5–11). The privilege of reigning with Christ is available to those who likewise win the victory; they do so by turning to him for grace, repenting, remaining faithful, and persevering, no matter what the cost.
The promise returns to the theme of God’s people ruling alongside the Messiah as seen in Revelation 2:26–28 (cf. Matt 19:28; Luke 22:30) and grounded in the vision of Daniel 7:9–14, 22, 27.
This message from the Spirit is for whoever has ears - also for us today.