Bible Commentaries
Revelation 13

Verse 1

Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .

And . . . sea. See Revelation 12:17 .

and saw = and I saw ( App-133 .)

beast = wild beast. See Revelation 6:8 .

rise up = coming up, as Revelation 7:2 (ascending).

out of. App-104 .

having, &c. The texts read "having ten horns and seven heads". Compare Revelation 12:3 ; Revelation 17:7-12 .

crowns. See Revelation 12:3 .

the name. Read "names". See Revelation 17:3 .

Verse 2

unto = to.

leopard. Greek. pardalis. Only here. In Septuagint it occurs Jeremiah 5:6 ; Jeremiah 13:23 .Hosea 13:7 . Habakkuk 1:8 .

lion. See Daniel 7:4 , Daniel 7:5 , Daniel 7:6 , and esp. Revelation 13:7 and Note.

dragon. See Revelation 12:3 .

him. The being from the abyss (Revelation 17:8 ); the "another"

power. App-172 .1; Rev 176:1 . Compare Daniel 8:24 . 2 Thessalonians 2:9 .

seat = throne.

authority. App-172 . Its source will not he recognized by the peoples at the outset.

Verse 3

I saw. Texts omit.

one of = one

wounded = slain. Same word in Revelation 6:6 .

deadly wound = death-stroke.

wound. Greek. plege. See Revelation 9:20 .

healed. Greek. therapeuo. Only here, and Revelation 13:12 , in Rev.

world. App-129 .

after. Read, "(and followed) after".

Verse 4

worshipped. App-137 .

which. The texts read "because he".

power = the power. App-172 .; "authority" in Revelation 13:2 .

who. The texts read "and who".

make war. The same word in Revelation 17:14 . This being will stop wars and be acclaimed by the peoples on that account.

Verse 5

speaking. App-121 .

continue. Literally do, or Act 2 Thessalonians 2:3 records the coming of "the man of sin (lawlessness)", who is this beast from the sea. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 "that wicked" = "the lawless one", who is the beast from the earth, verses: Revelation 13:11-18 .

Verse 6

blasphemy. The texts read "blasphemies".

His name = His Name, i.e. the Christ of God. See Acts 2:21 and compare Exodus 23:21 .

tabernacle. Greek. skene. In Rev. here; Revelation 15:5 ; Revelation 21:3 .

and. Omit, and supply ellipsis with "that is".

them = those.

that dwell. Literally tabernacling.

heaven. See Revelation 3:12 .

Verse 7

make war. Not the term in Revelation 13:4 ( polemeo ), but indicating a special attack upon "the saints". See Revelation 11:7 . Daniel 7:21 ; Daniel 8:12 , Daniel 8:24 ; Daniel 11:31 .

saints. See Revelation 5:8 with Revelation 11:18 .

over. App-104 .

all kindreds = every tribe. The texts add "and people".

tongues, nations. Sing, number.

Verse 8

earth . Same as "world", Revelation 13:3 .

him . The ellipsis follows, (every one).

names. All the texts read "name".

are not = hath not ( App-105 ) been.

life = the life. App-170 .

foundation, &c. See App-146 .

Verse 9

If, &c. See Revelation 2:7 . Eighth and last occ Here to individuals, no longer to corporate churches. Note Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 .

Verse 10

He that, &c. = If any one is for captivity, into captivity he goeth; if any one is to be killed with the sword, with the sword he is killed. Hebrew idioms for destiny. See Jeremiah 15:2 ; Jeremiah 43:11 .Ezekiel 5:2 , Ezekiel 5:12 .Zechariah 11:9 . None will escape the beast.

He that. Read, If any one ( App-123 .)

faith. App-150 .

Verse 11

beheld = saw, as Revelation 13:1 .

another. App-124 .

beast = wild beast, but distinguished from that of Revelation 13:1 . See verses: Revelation 13:12 , Revelation 13:14 , Revelation 13:15 , &c. The beast of Revelation 13:1 is political, this beast is religious.

horns. Greek. keras, horn, occurs ten times in Rev. (first in Revelation 5:6 ) and once Luke 1:69 . Nowhere else in N.T.

spake = was speaking. App-121 .

Verse 12

before him = in his sight.

causeth. Occurs eight times in connection with this "false prophet". See App-197 .

therein = in (Gr . en) it.

to worship = in order that (Greek. hina) they shall worship ( App-137 .) The texts read future tense.

Verse 13

wonders. App-176 .

so that. Greek. hina.

fire. Add "also".

from. Greek. ek. App-104 .

in the sight of = before, as Revelation 13:12 .

Verse 14

deceiveth = he deceiveth. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 . 1 Timothy 4:1-3 . For miracles of themselves are no proof of a Divine mission. The Lord's miracles were "signs" for His People to ponder. The miracles here are to impress credulous unbelievers.

by the means of. App-104 .Revelation 13:2 .

miracles. Same as "wonders", Revelation 13:13 .

Which . . . power = which it was given him.

image. Greek. eikon. First of ten occurences in Rev. See Matthew 22:20 . See App-197 .

by = of. Genitive case. No preposition.

did live = lived (again). See App-170 .

Verse 15

he had power = it was given him.

life. Greek. pneuma . App-101 .

that = in order that. Greek. hina .

speak. App-121 .

Verse 16

he. i.e. the second beast.

both. Omit, and read "and" before "the rich" and "the free".

small, &c. = the little, &c. (Note Figure of speech Polysyndeton. App-6 .)

bond. App-190 .

to receive. Literally in order that (Greek. hina) they may he given (the texts read plural).

mark. Greek. charagma. First of eight occurances in Rev. See Acts 17:29 .

in = upon. App-104 .

in = upon. App-104 ., with texts.

foreheads. Texts read singular.

Verse 17

might = should be able to.

buy or sell. The great boycott of the future.

save = except. Greek. ei ( App-118 ) me ( App-105 ).

had = hath.

or. Omit.

Verse 18

Here, &c. See Revelation 17:9 .

wisdom . Compare App-132 .

Let him that = He that.

understanding. Greek. nous. See 1 Corinthians 14:14 .

count = calculate. See Luke 14:28 .

man. App-123 .

Six hundred, &c. The Greek for this number is three letters which by gematria ( App-10 ) = 600, 60, 6 = 666. It is the number of a name . When the name of the "beast" (antichrist) is known, it will doubtless be recognized by both computation (see above) and gematria. The three letters SSS (= 666) formed the symbol of Isis and the secret symbol of the old "Mysteries". That ancient "mysteries" and modern "beliefs" are becoming closely allied, witness the rapid growth and spread of Spiritism, Theosophy, and Occultism of every kind. (Some ancient authorities read 616, used by the Jews of the worship of the Emperor.)