Bible Commentaries
Revelation 12

Verse 1

Wonder [σημειον] . Better, as Rev., sign. See on Matthew 24:24. Clothed [περιβεβλημενη] . Rev., better, arrayed. See on ch. Revelation 3:5. The moon under her feet. See Song of Solomon 6:10. The symbol is usually taken to represent the Church.

Verse 2

Travailing in birth [ωδινουσα] . See on sorrows, Mark 13:9, and pains, Acts 2:24.

In pain [βασανιζομενη] . Lit., being tormented. See on ch. Revelation 11:10, and references. For the imagery compare Isaiah 66:7, Isaiah 66:8; John 16:21.

Verse 3

Red [πυρρος] . See on ch. Revelation 6:4.

Dragon [δρακων] . Satan. See ver. 9. The word is found only in Revelation. In the Septuagint, of the serpent into which Moses ' rod was changed. In Isaiah 27:1; Ezekiel 29:3, of the crocodile or leviathan of Job 41:1. In Jeremiah 51:34, of a dragon.

Crowns [διαδηματα] . The Kingly crown, not the chaplet [στεφανος] . See on ch. Revelation 2:10

Verse 4

:Revelation 12:0_4 Revelation 12:0:4Of the stars of heaven. Some expositors find an allusion to the fallen angels (Jude 1:6).

Did cast them to the earth. Compare Daniel 8:10.

To devour her child as soon as it was born [ινα οταν τεκη το τεκνον αυτης καταφαγη] . Rev., more literally, that when she was delivered he might devour her child. Professor Milligan says : "In these words we have the dragon doing what Pharaoh did to Israel (Exodus 1:15-22), and again and again, in the Psalms and the Prophets, Pharaoh is spoken of as the dragon (Psalms 74:13; Isaiah 27:1; Isaiah 51:9; Ezekiel 29:3). Nor is it without interest to remember that Pharaoh 's crown was wreathed with a dragon (the asp or serpent of Egypt), and that just as the eagle was the ensign of Rome, so the dragon was that of Egypt. Hence the significance of Moses ' rod being turned into a serpent."

Verse 5

A man - child [υιον αρρενα] . Lit., a son, a male. The correct reading is arsen, the neuter, not agreeing with the masculine individual [υιον σον] but with the neuter of the genus. The object is to emphasize, not the sex, but the quality of Masculinity - power and vigor. Rev., a son, a man - child. Compare John 16:21; Jeremiah 20:15.

To rule [ποιμαινειν] . Lit., to shepherd or tend. See on Matthew 2:6. A rod of iron. Compare Psalms 2:9, and see on ch. Revelation 2:27.

Was caught up [ηρπασθη] . See on Matthew 12:12. Compare Acts 23:10; Jude 1:23.

Verse 6

Of God [απο του θεου] . Lit., from God, the preposition marking the source from which the preparation came. For a similar use, see James 1:13, "tempted of God."

Verse 7

There was [εγενετο] . Lit., there arose.

War in heaven. Compare 1 Kings 22:0; Job 1:2; Zechariah 3:0; Luke 10:18. Michael. See Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1; and on Jude 1:9.

Fought [επολεμησαν] . The correct reading is tou polemhsai to fight. So Rev., " going forth to war against the dragon [κατα του δρακοντος] . The correct reading is meta with.

Verse 8

Prevailed [ισχυσαν] . See on Luke 14:30; Luke 16:3; James 5:16.

Verse 9

The great dragon [ο δρακων ο μεγας] . Lit., the dragon, the great (dragon).

That old serpent [ο οφις ο αρχαιος] . Lit., the serpent, the old (serpent). For this habitual construction in John, see on 1 John 4:9. For ajrcaiov old, see on 1 John 2:7, and compare "he was a murderer ajp' ajrchv from the beginning," John 8:44; ajrch beginning being etymologically akin to ajrcaiov old.

The Devil. See on Matthew 4:1.

Satan. See on Luke 10:18.

The deceiver [ο πλανων] . Lit., he that deceiveth. See on 1 John 1:8. World [οικουμενην] . See on Luke 2:1 The world with all its inhabitants. Down to [εις] . Lit., into.

Verse 10

Saying in heaven [λεγουσαν εν τω ουρανω] . The correct reading joins in heaven with great voice. So Rev. I heard a great voice in heaven. Now [αρτι] . See on John 13:33.

Is come [εγενετο] . Lit., came to pass. Alford says : "It is impossible in English to join to a particle of present time, such as arti now, a verb in aoristic time. We are driven to the perfect in such cases."

Salvation, power, the kingdom. All have the article : the salvation, etc. So Rev. The phrase, now is come the salvation, etc., means that these are realized and established. Some, less correctly, render, now is the salvation, etc., become our God 's Compare Luke 3:6.

Power [εξουσια] . See on Mark 2:10. Rev., authority.

The accuser of our brethren [ο κατηγορος των αδελφων ημων] . The correct form of the Greek for accuser is a transcript of the Rabbinical Hebrew, kathgwr. The Rabbins had a corresponding term sunhgwr for Michael, as the advocate of God 's people. The phrase is applied to Satan nowhere else in the New Testament.

Is cast down [κατεβληθη] . The aorist tense. Once and for all. Compare John 12:31; John 16:8, John 16:11.

Which accuseth [ο κατηγορων] . Lit., the one. The article with the present participle expresses what is habitual.

Verse 11

Overcame [ενικησαν] . See on 1 John 2:13.

By the blood of the Lamb [δια το αιμα του αρνιου] . The preposition dia with the accusative signifies on account of. Hence Rev., correctly, because of : in virtue of the shedding of that blood. Similarly in the succeeding clause, "because of the word of their testimony." For lamb, see on ch. Revelation 5:6.

Testimony [μαρτυριας] . See on John 1:7.

They loved not their life even unto death. Alford, correctly, "they carried their not - love of their life even unto death."

Verse 12

Dwell [σκηνουντες] . See on John 1:14. Compare ch. Revelation 7:15; Revelation 13:6; Revelation 21:3. To the inhabiters (toiv katoikousin). Omit. Read, as Rev., woe for the earth and for the sea.

Wrath [θυμον] . See on John 3:36.

Time [καιρον] . See on Matthew 12:1; Mark 1:15; Acts 1:7.

Verse 14

Two wings. The definite article aiJ the should be added : "the two wings." Compare Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11; Psalms 36:7.

The great eagle. The article does not point to the eagle of ch. 8 13, but is generic.

A time and times and half a time. Three years and a half. See on ch. Revelation 11:2.

Verse 15

Cause her to be carried away of the flood [παυτην ποταμοφορητον ποιηση] . Lit., might make her one carried away by the stream : a river - born one. The word occurs only here in the New Testament.

Verse 17

Jesus Christ. Omit Christ.

The best texts add to this chapter the opening words of ch. 13 (A. V.), "And I stood upon the sand of the sea." Some, however, change ejstaqhn I stood, to ejstaqh he stood, referring to the dragon. So Rev.