2 Thessalonians 2:9
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Original Language Analysis
οὗ
Even him whose
G3739
οὗ
Even him whose
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 16
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρουσία
coming
G3952
παρουσία
coming
Strong's:
G3952
Word #:
4 of 16
a being near, i.e., advent (often, return; specially, of christ to punish jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect
κατ'
after
G2596
κατ'
after
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
5 of 16
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δυνάμει
power
G1411
δυνάμει
power
Strong's:
G1411
Word #:
11 of 16
force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σημείοις
signs
G4592
σημείοις
signs
Strong's:
G4592
Word #:
13 of 16
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
Cross References
Matthew 24:24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.Revelation 19:20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.John 4:48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.Ephesians 2:2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:Revelation 18:23And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.Mark 13:22For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.2 Corinthians 11:3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.Revelation 20:10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.Acts 13:10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Historical Context
Ancient magicians and wonder-workers competed with Christian evangelists. Simon Magus (Acts 8:9-11), Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6-8), and others performed occult signs. Jewish tradition expected false messiahs with supernatural credentials. Jesus warned of false Christs performing great signs (Matt. 24:24).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you discern between miracles from God and counterfeit signs from demonic sources?
- Why do humans so easily believe spectacular lies while rejecting mundane truth?
- What 'lying wonders' operate in contemporary culture to deceive people away from Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders—the lawless one's parousia (παρουσία, arrival) mimics Christ's coming. His appearance is after the working of Satan (kat' energeian tou Satana, κατ' ἐνέργειαν τοῦ Σατανᾶ, according to Satan's supernatural activity). He manifests all power (dynamei, δυνάμει, miracle-working force), signs (sēmeiois, σημείοις, authenticating miracles), and lying wonders (terasin pseudous, τέρασιν ψεύδους, deceptive prodigies).
These aren't fake miracles but genuine supernatural acts empowered by Satan for deceptive purposes. Just as Christ's miracles authenticated His message (Acts 2:22), Antichrist's miracles will authenticate lies. Miracles don't prove truth—they can emanate from demonic sources. Doctrine, not signs, tests spirits.