Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὠργίσθη
was wroth
G3710
ὠργίσθη
was wroth
Strong's:
G3710
Word #:
2 of 30
to provoke or enrage, i.e., (passively) become exasperated
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
δράκων
the dragon
G1404
δράκων
the dragon
Strong's:
G1404
Word #:
4 of 30
a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate)
ἐπὶ
with
G1909
ἐπὶ
with
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
5 of 30
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπῆλθεν
went
G565
ἀπῆλθεν
went
Strong's:
G565
Word #:
9 of 30
to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively
ποιῆσαι
to make
G4160
ποιῆσαι
to make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
10 of 30
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
πόλεμον
war
G4171
πόλεμον
war
Strong's:
G4171
Word #:
11 of 30
warfare (literally or figuratively; a single encounter or a series)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
12 of 30
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σπέρματος
seed
G4690
σπέρματος
seed
Strong's:
G4690
Word #:
16 of 30
something sown, i.e., seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring; specially, a remnant (figuratively, as if kept over for planting)
αὐτῆς
of her
G846
αὐτῆς
of her
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 30
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τηρούντων
keep
G5083
τηρούντων
keep
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
19 of 30
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐντολὰς
the commandments
G1785
ἐντολὰς
the commandments
Strong's:
G1785
Word #:
21 of 30
injunction, i.e., an authoritative prescription
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ
of God
G2316
θεοῦ
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
23 of 30
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
24 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐχόντων
have
G2192
ἐχόντων
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
25 of 30
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαρτυρίαν
the testimony
G3141
μαρτυρίαν
the testimony
Strong's:
G3141
Word #:
27 of 30
evidence given (judicially or genitive case)
τοῦ
which
G3588
τοῦ
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Revelation 14:12Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.Genesis 3:15And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.Revelation 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.Revelation 11:7And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.Revelation 6:9And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:Revelation 1:2Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.Revelation 13:7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.Revelation 17:14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.Revelation 1:9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Historical Context
John received this revelation circa AD 95 during Domitian's persecution, exiled on Patmos for his testimony. The seven churches of Asia Minor faced increasing pressure to participate in emperor worship and pagan religious practices. Refusal meant economic hardship, social ostracism, and potential martyrdom. Understanding this context illuminates Revelation's encouragement to faithful endurance.
The apocalyptic genre was familiar to first-century Jewish and Christian readers. Rather than newspaper-style predictions, apocalyptic literature uses symbolic imagery to reveal spiritual realities behind earthly events, encourage the faithful, warn the unfaithful, and assert God's ultimate sovereignty over history. Parallels with Daniel, Ezekiel, and intertestamental apocalyptic writings would help original readers decode the symbols.
Rome's imperial cult demanded worship of Caesar as divine, placing Christians in impossible situations—compromise their faith or face persecution. Revelation identifies Rome as "Babylon" and assures believers that despite appearances, the Lamb conquered through His death and resurrection, and all earthly kingdoms will submit to His reign.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Revelation 12:17 reveal God's character, particularly His sovereignty, holiness, and justice?
- What specific encouragement or warning does this verse offer for maintaining faithful Christian witness amid cultural pressure?
- How does this passage point to Christ's victory and the hope of new creation, and how should that shape your present priorities?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.... This verse from Revelation's vision of woman, child, and dragon - cosmic conflict, satan's defeat, messiah's victory employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish prophetic literature, drawing heavily from Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Zechariah.
The symbolism must be interpreted within its first-century context while recognizing timeless spiritual realities. The imagery would resonate powerfully with persecuted believers facing Roman imperial cult worship, providing hope that despite present suffering, Christ reigns sovereign and will consummate His kingdom. The apocalyptic genre uses symbolic numbers (seven, twelve, 144,000), colors, beasts, and cosmic imagery to convey theological truth rather than photographic descriptions.
Christologically, Revelation consistently exalts Jesus as the victorious Lamb, the faithful witness, the King of kings and Lord of lords. Every vision ultimately points to Christ's supremacy, His finished redemptive work, and His certain return to judge the living and dead and establish the new creation.