Revelation / Chapter 13

Revelation 13

18 verses • SBL Greek New Testament 1 tradition available

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

Revelation 13 introduces the dragon's two agents on earth: a beast rising from the sea with ten horns and seven heads, and a second beast rising from the earth with two horns like a lamb. The first beast receives the dragon's authority and wages war against the saints. The second beast performs signs and compels all people to worship the first beast, enforcing a mark without which no one can buy or sell. The chapter closes with the famous number of the beast: 666.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The sea beast combines features of all four beasts from Daniel 7 — leopard, bear, lion, and ten-horned monster — into a single composite figure, suggesting it embodies all oppressive empire. The fatal wound that was healed (v. 3) parodies Christ's death and resurrection. The second beast acts as a false prophet (later explicitly called this in 16:13, 19:20), forming a counterfeit trinity: the dragon (anti-Father), the sea beast (anti-Christ), and the earth beast (anti-Spirit). The number 666, calculated through gematria (assigning numerical values to letters), most likely points to 'Nero Caesar' in Hebrew letters, though the text deliberately leaves the identification as a riddle.

Translation Friction

The identity of the beast has generated centuries of speculation. We render the Greek text without identifying the beast with any specific historical or future figure. The 'mark' (charagma) was a term used for imperial stamps and brands in the Roman world, but the text presents it in visionary, symbolic terms that transcend any single historical referent.

Connections

The chapter draws heavily on Daniel 7 (the four beasts and the saints' persecution), Daniel 3 (the command to worship an image on pain of death), and Exodus 7-8 (signs performed by competing powers). The mark on the forehead and hand inverts the phylacteries of Deuteronomy 6:8 and the seal of God on the forehead in Revelation 7:3. **Tradition comparisons:** The Latin Vulgate shaped Western theology here: Sescenti sexaginta sex (666) — the number of the beast became the most famous number in Western culture. Gematria calculations to identify the beast were a cottage industry in Western theology, with c... See the [Vulgate Revelation](/vulgate/revelation).

Revelation 13:1

Καὶ εἶδον ἐκ τῆς θαλάσσης θηρίον ἀναβαῖνον, ἔχον κέρατα δέκα καὶ κεφαλὰς ἑπτά, καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν κεράτων αὐτοῦ δέκα διαδήματα, καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτοῦ ὀνόματα βλασφημίας.

And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads. On its horns were ten diadems, and on its heads were blasphemous names.

KJV And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The SBLGNT places 'and he stood on the sand of the sea' at the end of chapter 12 (12:18), so chapter 13 begins with 'And I saw.' The beast from the sea echoes Daniel 7:3, where four beasts rise from the sea — here compressed into one composite monster. The sea in apocalyptic thought represents chaos and the realm of evil. The diadems are on the horns (political power) rather than the heads, distinguishing this from the dragon's diadems in 12:3. The plural 'blasphemous names' (onomata blasphēmias) suggests imperial titles claiming divine status.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Daniel 7:3. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
Revelation 13:2

καὶ τὸ θηρίον ὃ εἶδον ἦν ὅμοιον παρδάλει, καὶ οἱ πόδες αὐτοῦ ὡς ἄρκου, καὶ τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ ὡς στόμα λέοντος. καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτῷ ὁ δράκων τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸν θρόνον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξουσίαν μεγάλην.

The beast I saw resembled a leopard, its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave it his power and his throne and great authority.

KJV And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The three animal features come from Daniel 7:4-6 but in reverse order — leopard (Daniel's third beast), bear (second), lion (first) — suggesting John sees them from the perspective of the present looking backward. The transfer of power, throne, and authority from dragon to beast establishes the beast as Satan's earthly agent, a dark parody of the Father giving authority to the Son (Matthew 28:18).
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Daniel 7:4-6. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
Revelation 13:3

καὶ μίαν ἐκ τῶν κεφαλῶν αὐτοῦ ὡς ἐσφαγμένην εἰς θάνατον, καὶ ἡ πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ ἐθεραπεύθη. καὶ ἐθαυμάσθη ὅλη ἡ γῆ ὀπίσω τοῦ θηρίου,

One of its heads appeared to have been fatally wounded, but its mortal wound had been healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.

KJV And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek hōs esphagmenēn ('as though slain') uses the same verb (sphazō) applied to the Lamb in 5:6 — the beast parodies Christ's death and resurrection. The 'healing' of the death-wound creates a counterfeit resurrection narrative that captures the world's allegiance. The verb ethaumasthē ('was amazed, marveled') indicates awe that leads to worship.
Revelation 13:4

καὶ προσεκύνησαν τῷ δράκοντι ὅτι ἔδωκεν τὴν ἐξουσίαν τῷ θηρίῳ, καὶ προσεκύνησαν τῷ θηρίῳ λέγοντες· Τίς ὅμοιος τῷ θηρίῳ, καὶ τίς δύναται πολεμῆσαι μετ' αὐτοῦ;

They worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?"

KJV And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The acclamation 'Who is like the beast?' is a blasphemous inversion of the divine praise 'Who is like you, LORD?' (Exodus 15:11, Psalm 35:10) and even of Michael's name (Mi-ka-el, 'Who is like God?'). The dual worship — of dragon and beast — reveals that the beast's power is derivative; worshiping the beast means worshiping the dragon behind it.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Exodus 15:11. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Psalm 35:10. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
Revelation 13:5

καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ στόμα λαλοῦν μεγάλα καὶ βλασφημίας, καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία ποιῆσαι μῆνας τεσσεράκοντα δύο.

The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant words and blasphemies, and it was given authority to act for forty-two months.

KJV And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The passive 'was given' (edothē) appears twice, indicating that the beast's power operates under divine permission — even the beast's authority has boundaries set by God. The 'mouth speaking great things' echoes Daniel 7:8, 11, 20 (the little horn). The forty-two months equal 1,260 days or three and a half years, the same period of the woman's wilderness refuge in 12:6, 14.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes Daniel 7:8 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
Revelation 13:6

καὶ ἤνοιξεν τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ εἰς βλασφημίας πρὸς τὸν θεόν, βλασφημῆσαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ, τοὺς ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ σκηνοῦντας.

It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling — that is, those who dwell in heaven.

KJV And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The beast's blasphemy targets three things: God's name, God's dwelling (skēnē, 'tabernacle/tent'), and those who dwell in heaven. The apposition 'his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven' suggests that God's true tabernacle is his people — the dwelling and the dwellers are identified. The Greek skēnē recalls the tabernacle tradition and anticipates 21:3, where God's dwelling will be with humanity.
Revelation 13:7

καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ποιῆσαι πόλεμον μετὰ τῶν ἁγίων καὶ νικῆσαι αὐτούς, καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ἐξουσία ἐπὶ πᾶσαν φυλὴν καὶ λαὸν καὶ γλῶσσαν καὶ ἔθνος.

It was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation.

KJV And 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Again the divine passive 'was given' (edothē) — the beast's war against the saints occurs within God's sovereign permission, echoing Daniel 7:21 where the horn prevails against the saints for a time. The fourfold universal formula (tribe, people, language, nation) appears repeatedly in Revelation (5:9, 7:9, 11:9, 14:6) and here describes the beast's totalitarian reach.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Draws on Daniel 7:21. Consult the TCR rendering of that passage for the underlying Hebrew and the rationale for key translation choices.
Revelation 13:8

καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, οὗ οὐ γέγραπται τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ τῆς ζωῆς τοῦ ἀρνίου τοῦ ἐσφαγμένου ἀπὸ καταβολῆς κόσμου.

All who dwell on the earth will worship it — everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.

KJV And 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.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

βιβλίον τῆς ζωῆς biblion tēs zōēs
"book of life" — scroll of life, record of the living

The concept of a divine register appears in Exodus 32:32-33, Psalm 69:28, and Daniel 12:1. In Revelation, it belongs specifically to the Lamb, tying eternal life to Christ's sacrificial death.

Translator Notes

  1. The phrase 'from the foundation of the world' (apo katabolēs kosmou) can modify either 'written' (names written before creation) or 'slain' (the Lamb slain before creation). The Greek word order most naturally connects it to 'written' — the names were recorded before the world's foundation. Compare 17:8, where the same phrase clearly modifies 'written.' Both readings carry profound theological weight.
Revelation 13:9

Εἴ τις ἔχει οὖς ἀκουσάτω.

If anyone has an ear, let them hear:

KJV If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. This formula echoes Jesus's repeated refrain in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 11:15, 13:9) and in Revelation's letters to the seven churches (2:7, 11, etc.). Here it introduces the solemn oracle that follows, demanding careful attention from the hearer.
Revelation 13:10

εἴ τις εἰς αἰχμαλωσίαν, εἰς αἰχμαλωσίαν ὑπάγει· εἴ τις ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτανθῆναι, αὐτὸν ἐν μαχαίρῃ ἀποκτανθῆναι. Ὧδέ ἐστιν ἡ ὑπομονὴ καὶ ἡ πίστις τῶν ἁγίων.

If anyone is destined for captivity, to captivity they go. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, with the sword they will be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.

KJV He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

ὑπομονή hypomonē
"endurance" — endurance, patient steadfastness, perseverance

From hypo ('under') and menō ('to remain') — literally 'remaining under.' It describes the capacity to stand firm under pressure without abandoning one's position. A central virtue in Revelation's ethical vision.

Translator Notes

  1. This oracle, echoing Jeremiah 15:2 and 43:11, calls the saints to accept suffering rather than retaliate. The Greek hypomonē ('endurance, patient steadfastness') is one of Revelation's key ethical terms — it describes not passive resignation but active, faithful perseverance under pressure. The SBLGNT reading presents both lines as statements about the saints' destiny, not as threats against persecutors.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes Jeremiah 15:2 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
Revelation 13:11

Καὶ εἶδον ἄλλο θηρίον ἀναβαῖνον ἐκ τῆς γῆς, καὶ εἶχεν κέρατα δύο ὅμοια ἀρνίῳ, καὶ ἐλάλει ὡς δράκων.

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon.

KJV And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The second beast rises from the earth (gē) rather than the sea, perhaps representing established social and religious structures rather than chaotic political power. Its lamb-like appearance but dragon-like speech makes it a deceiver — it looks harmless but serves the dragon's purposes. Later (16:13, 19:20, 20:10) this beast is called 'the false prophet,' clarifying its role as a religious counterfeit.
Revelation 13:12

καὶ τὴν ἐξουσίαν τοῦ πρώτου θηρίου πᾶσαν ποιεῖ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ. καὶ ποιεῖ τὴν γῆν καὶ τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ κατοικοῦντας ἵνα προσκυνήσουσιν τὸ θηρίον τὸ πρῶτον, οὗ ἐθεραπεύθη ἡ πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου αὐτοῦ.

It exercises all the authority of the first beast on its behalf and makes the earth and those who dwell on it worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed.

KJV And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The second beast functions as enforcer and propagandist for the first. The phrase 'on its behalf' (enōpion autou, literally 'before him/in his presence') indicates the second beast acts as the first beast's representative. This mirrors the Holy Spirit's role in directing worship to Christ — the second beast directs worship to the first beast, completing the counterfeit trinity.
Revelation 13:13

καὶ ποιεῖ σημεῖα μεγάλα, ἵνα καὶ πῦρ ποιῇ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καταβαίνειν εἰς τὴν γῆν ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in the sight of people.

KJV And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Fire from heaven recalls Elijah's contest on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38) — the second beast counterfeits prophetic signs. Jesus warned that false prophets would perform signs to deceive (Matthew 24:24), and Paul speaks of the lawless one performing counterfeit miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9). The signs are real in their effects but deceptive in their source and purpose.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] References 1 Kings 18:38 — the TCR OT rendering of that text provides the Hebrew source and explains the translation decisions involved.
Revelation 13:14

καὶ πλανᾷ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς διὰ τὰ σημεῖα ἃ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ ποιῆσαι ἐνώπιον τοῦ θηρίου, λέγων τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ποιῆσαι εἰκόνα τῷ θηρίῳ, ὃς ἔχει τὴν πληγὴν τῆς μαχαίρης καὶ ἔζησεν.

It deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs it was permitted to perform on behalf of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image for the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet lived.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The command to construct an image (eikōn) of the beast recalls Nebuchadnezzar's golden image in Daniel 3, where refusal to worship meant death. The beast's recovery from a sword wound (plēgē tēs machairēs) continues the parody of Christ's death and resurrection. The verb ezēsen ('lived, came to life') is the same word used for Christ's resurrection in 2:8.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Echoes Daniel 3. See the TCR's OT rendering for the Hebrew behind this passage and the translation rationale.
Revelation 13:15

καὶ ἐδόθη αὐτῷ δοῦναι πνεῦμα τῇ εἰκόνι τοῦ θηρίου, ἵνα καὶ λαλήσῃ ἡ εἰκὼν τοῦ θηρίου καὶ ποιήσῃ ἵνα ὅσοι ἐὰν μὴ προσκυνήσωσιν τῇ εἰκόνι τοῦ θηρίου ἀποκτανθῶσιν.

It was permitted to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast could even speak and cause all who would not worship the image of the beast to be killed.

KJV And 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek pneuma here means 'breath' rather than 'spirit' or 'life' — the second beast animates the image with breath, parodying God breathing life into Adam (Genesis 2:7). The speaking image may reflect ancient practices of ventriloquism in pagan temples or mechanical devices that made idols appear to speak. The death penalty for non-worship directly parallels Daniel 3:6.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes Genesis 2:7 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
  3. [TCR Cross-Reference] This verse quotes Daniel 3:6 — see the TCR rendering of that passage for the Hebrew source text and translation decisions.
Revelation 13:16

καὶ ποιεῖ πάντας, τοὺς μικροὺς καὶ τοὺς μεγάλους, καὶ τοὺς πλουσίους καὶ τοὺς πτωχούς, καὶ τοὺς ἐλευθέρους καὶ τοὺς δούλους, ἵνα δῶσιν αὐτοῖς χάραγμα ἐπὶ τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῶν τῆς δεξιᾶς ἢ ἐπὶ τὸ μέτωπον αὐτῶν,

It also compels everyone — small and great, rich and poor, free and slave — to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

KJV And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

Notes & Key Terms 1 term

Key Terms

χάραγμα charagma
"mark" — mark, stamp, brand, engraving, impression

In the Roman world, charagma referred to the imperial stamp on coins and official documents, and to brands placed on slaves. The mark of the beast functions as a sign of ownership and allegiance — the bearer belongs to the beast.

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek charagma ('mark, stamp, brand') was used for the imperial stamp on documents and the brand on livestock or slaves. The three pairs (small/great, rich/poor, free/slave) emphasize that no social category is exempt. The mark on hand and forehead deliberately inverts the Shema practice of Deuteronomy 6:8, where God's words are bound on hand and forehead — the beast demands the same total allegiance that belongs to God alone.
  2. [TCR Cross-Reference] Quotes Deuteronomy 6:8. The TCR rendering of that OT passage preserves the Hebrew source text and documents the translation decisions behind it.
Revelation 13:17

καὶ ἵνα μή τις δύνηται ἀγοράσαι ἢ πωλῆσαι εἰ μὴ ὁ ἔχων τὸ χάραγμα, τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ θηρίου ἢ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ.

That no person may buy or sell, rescue he that had the mark, or the identity of the beast, or the number of his identity.

KJV And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. Economic exclusion as a tool of coercion would have resonated powerfully in the Roman trade-guild system, where participation in commercial life often required offering incense to the emperor or patron deity. The mark, the name, and the number appear to be three expressions of the same allegiance, not three separate requirements.
Revelation 13:18

Ὧδε ἡ σοφία ἐστίν· ὁ ἔχων νοῦν ψηφισάτω τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ θηρίου· ἀριθμὸς γὰρ ἀνθρώπου ἐστίν, καὶ ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτοῦ ἑξακόσιοι ἑξήκοντα ἕξ.

This calls for wisdom. Let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a person, and its number is six hundred sixty-six.

KJV Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

  1. The Greek arithmos anthrōpou ('number of a person/human') could mean either 'a number that identifies a specific person' or 'a human number' (as opposed to an angelic one). The number 666, through Hebrew gematria (where letters carry numerical values), most plausibly corresponds to 'Nero Caesar' (nrwn qsr = 50+200+6+50+100+60+200 = 666). Some manuscripts read 616, which corresponds to 'Nero Caesar' in the Latin spelling. The text presents the calculation as a riddle requiring wisdom, not as an equation with an obvious solution.

Latin Vulgate (Jerome, 405 CE)

"And his number is six hundred and sixty-six"

Sescenti sexaginta sex (666) — the number of the beast became the most famous number in Western culture. Gematria calculations to identify the beast were a cottage industry in Western theology, with candidates including Nero, various popes, Muhammad, Napoleon, and countless others. The Latin numeral system (DCLXVI) was used for different gematria calculations than the Greek or Hebrew.

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