Revelation 13:14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 35
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πλανᾷ
deceiveth
G4105
πλανᾷ
deceiveth
Strong's:
G4105
Word #:
2 of 35
to (properly, cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue)
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατοικοῦσιν
them that dwell
G2730
κατοικοῦσιν
them that dwell
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
4 of 35
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
5 of 35
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
the earth
G1093
γῆς
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
7 of 35
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
διὰ
by
G1223
διὰ
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
8 of 35
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σημεῖα
the means of those miracles
G4592
σημεῖα
the means of those miracles
Strong's:
G4592
Word #:
10 of 35
an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally
ὃ
which
G3739
ὃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
11 of 35
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐδόθη
had power
G1325
ἐδόθη
had power
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
12 of 35
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
αὐτῷ
he
G846
αὐτῷ
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 35
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
ποιῆσαι
that they should make
G4160
ποιῆσαι
that they should make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
14 of 35
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λέγων
saying
G3004
λέγων
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
18 of 35
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κατοικοῦσιν
them that dwell
G2730
κατοικοῦσιν
them that dwell
Strong's:
G2730
Word #:
20 of 35
to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
21 of 35
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆς
the earth
G1093
γῆς
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
23 of 35
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
ποιῆσαι
that they should make
G4160
ποιῆσαι
that they should make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
24 of 35
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
εἰκόνα
an image
G1504
εἰκόνα
an image
Strong's:
G1504
Word #:
25 of 35
a likeness, i.e., (literally) statue, profile, or (figuratively) representation, resemblance
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃ
which
G3739
ὃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
28 of 35
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἔχει
had
G2192
ἔχει
had
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
29 of 35
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
30 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πληγὴν
the wound
G4127
πληγὴν
the wound
Strong's:
G4127
Word #:
31 of 35
a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
32 of 35
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μαχαίρας,
by a sword
G3162
μαχαίρας,
by a sword
Strong's:
G3162
Word #:
33 of 35
a knife, i.e., dirk; figuratively, war, judicial punishment
Cross References
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.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.Revelation 13:8And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.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.Revelation 14:9And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,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 14:11And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.Revelation 13:15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.Revelation 15:2And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.Revelation 16:2And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
Historical Context
Roman emperors erected statues demanding worship throughout the empire. Refusing to offer incense to Caesar's image brought persecution. The beast's revival (13:3) may allude to Nero's death and rumors of his return. This vision prepared Christians to recognize state-enforced idolatry supported by religious authorities as Satanic, regardless of popular acceptance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Satan use counterfeit versions of truth (like the beast's false resurrection) to deceive people today?
- What pressures do you face to conform to cultural 'images' demanding allegiance contrary to Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The deception of earth-dwellers through signs demonstrates spiritual warfare's nature. The command to make an image recalls Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue (Daniel 3), forcing worship under threat of death. This represents state-enforced idolatry supported by religious deception. Reformed theology affirms that unregenerate hearts are vulnerable to Satan's deceptions, while the elect, though tested, cannot be ultimately deceived (Matthew 24:24). The 'wound by a sword and did live' refers to the first beast's apparent resurrection, counterfeiting Christ to attract worship. False religion always mimics truth to deceive.