The Meaning of Revelation 13:12 Explained

Revelation 13:12

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.

YLT: and all the authority of the first beast doth it do before it, and it maketh the land and those dwelling in it that they shall bow before the first beast, whose deadly stroke was healed,

Darby: and it exercises all the authority of the first beast before it, and causes the earth and those that dwell in it to do homage to the first beast, whose wound of death was healed.

ASV: And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Revelation 13:12 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The second beast will represent the first beast by acting as his prophet ( Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10; cf. Exodus 7:1). Compare the ministries of Moses and Aaron ( Exodus 4:16; Exodus 7:9), and the Lord and Elijah ( 1 Kings 17:1). He will be his effective agent in directing the persecution of believers. He will lead the worship of the first beast evidently as the leader of a worldwide religious movement. This is a satanic counterfeit of the Holy Spirit"s ministry of pointing people to Christ. The reference to the first beast"s fatal wound being healed also highlights the comparison with Christ who rose from the dead. Believers worship Christ because He rose from the dead (cf. Acts 17:30-31), and unbelievers will worship the beast because he did a similar thing (cf. Revelation 13:14). Here some type of personal rejuvenation seems to be in view, not just the revitalization of a nation (cf. Revelation 13:3).

Context Summary

Revelation 13:1-18 - The Beast And His Worshipers
The horns symbolize power; the heads, intelligence; and the beast, an earthly kingdom. The dragon must stand for Satan, who has wrought his greatest achievements through earthly potentates and systems. It is through the world-power that the spleen and hatred of hell have been vented on the saints. What a comfort to know that the duration of such power is limited to 42 symbolic months, that is, 1,260 days (or years). If you are enduring hatred and persecution, be of good cheer, for your name is written in the Lamb's book of life, Revelation 13:8. This may well compensate us amid the most violent opposition.
The beast arising from the earth, Revelation 13:11-18, may represent the persecutions of papal Rome as contrasted with those of pagan Rome in the previous verses. Or this symbol may represent some of those modern devices by which men's hearts are turned from God, such as the new semi-religious schools of thought that strive for the empire of men's minds, or the customs of modern trade, Revelation 13:17. Be these as they may, the one outstanding lesson for us all is that the child of God is always in collision with the spirit of His age. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 13

1  A beast rises out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns, to whom the dragon gives his power
11  Another beast comes out of the earth,
14  causes an image to be made of the former beast,
15  and that men should worship it,
16  and receive his mark

Greek Commentary for Revelation 13:12

He exerciseth [ποιει]
Present active dramatic present of ποιεω — poieō In his sight In the eye of the first beast who gets his authority from the dragon (Revelation 13:2). The second beast carries on the succession of authority from the dragon and the first beast. It has been a common Protestant interpretation since the Reformation of Luther to see in the first beast Pagan Rome and in the second beast Papal Rome. There is undoubted verisimilitude in this interpretation, but it is more than doubtful if any such view comes within the horizon of the imagery here. Ramsay takes the first beast to be the power of imperial Rome and the second beast to be the provincial power which imitated Rome in the persecutions. [source]
To worship the first beast [ινα προσκυνησουσιν το τηριον το πρωτον]
Sub-final clause with ινα — hina after ποιει — poiei seen in John 11:37; Colossians 4:16; Revelation 3:9, usually with the subjunctive, but here with the future indicative as in Revelation 3:9. Note the accusative after προσκυνεω — proskuneō as in Revelation 13:8. Here the death-stroke of one of the heads (Revelation 13:3) is ascribed to the beast. Clearly the delegated authority of the provincial priests of the emperor-worship is rigorously enforced, if this is the correct interpretation. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 13:12

Revelation 11:10 They that dwell upon the earth [οι κατοικουντες επι της γης]
Present active articular participle of κατοικεω — katoikeō “an Apocalyptic formula” (Swete) for the non-Christian world (Revelation 3:10; Revelation 6:10; Revelation 8:13; Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:12, Revelation 13:14; Revelation 17:8). [source]
Revelation 12:6 Where [οπουεκει]
Hebrew redundancy (where - there) as in Revelation 3:8; Revelation 8:9, Revelation 8:9; Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:12; Revelation 17:9; Revelation 20:8.Prepared (ετοιμαζω — hētoimasmenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of τοπος — hetoimazō for which verb see Matthew 20:23; Revelation 8:6; Revelation 9:7, Revelation 9:15; Revelation 16:12; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2, and for its use with απο του τεου — topos John 14:2. and for the kind of fellowship meant by it (Psalm 31:21; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 3:3; 1 John 1:3).Of God “From (by) God,” marking the source as God (Revelation 9:18; James 1:13). This anticipatory symbolism is repeated in Revelation 12:13.That there they may nourish her (ινα — hina ekei trephōsin autēn). Purpose clause with τρεπουσιν — hina and the present for continued action: active subjunctive according to A P though C reads τρεπεται — trephousin present active indicative, as is possible also in Revelation 13:17 and certainly so in 1 John 5:20 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 984), a solecism in late vernacular Greek. The plural is indefinite “they” as in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 11:9. One MSS. has trephetai (is nourished). The stereotyped phrase occurs here, as in Revelation 11:2., for the length of the dragon‘s power, repeated in Revelation 12:14 in more general terms and again in Revelation 13:5. [source]
Revelation 13:3 As though it had been smitten [ως εσπαγμενην]
Perfect passive participle of σπαζω — sphazō as in Revelation 5:6, accusative singular agreeing with μιαν — mian (one of the heads), object of ειδον — eidon understood, “as though slain” (so the word means in seven other instances in the book). There is a reference to the death and new life of the Lamb in Revelation 5:6.And his death-stroke was healed (και η πληγη αυτου ετεραπευτη — kai hē plēgē autou etherapeuthē). First aorist passive indicative of τεραπευω — therapeuō “The stroke of death” (that led to death). Apparently refers to the death of Nero in June 68 a.d. by his own hand. But after his death pretenders arose claiming to be Nero redivivus even as late as 89 (Tacitus, Hist. i. 78, ii. 8, etc.). John seems to regard Domitian as Nero over again in the persecutions carried on by him. The distinction is not always preserved between the beast (Roman Empire) and the seven heads (emperors), but in Revelation 17:10 the beast survives the loss of five heads. Here it is the death-stroke of one head, while in Revelation 13:12, Revelation 13:14 the beast himself receives a mortal wound.Wondered after the beast First aorist passive (deponent) indicative of ταυμαζω — thaumazō to wonder at, to admire, as in Revelation 17:8. For this pregnant use of οπισω — opisō see John 12:9; Acts 5:37; Acts 20:30; 1 Timothy 5:15. “All the earth wondered at and followed after the beast,” that is Antichrist as represented by Domitian as Nero redivivus. But Charles champions the view that Caligula, not Nero, is the head that received the death-stroke and recovered and set up statues of himself for worship, even trying to do it in Jerusalem. [source]
Revelation 13:3 And his death-stroke was healed [και η πληγη αυτου ετεραπευτη]
First aorist passive indicative of τεραπευω — therapeuō “The stroke of death” (that led to death). Apparently refers to the death of Nero in June 68 a.d. by his own hand. But after his death pretenders arose claiming to be Nero redivivus even as late as 89 (Tacitus, Hist. i. 78, ii. 8, etc.). John seems to regard Domitian as Nero over again in the persecutions carried on by him. The distinction is not always preserved between the beast (Roman Empire) and the seven heads (emperors), but in Revelation 17:10 the beast survives the loss of five heads. Here it is the death-stroke of one head, while in Revelation 13:12, Revelation 13:14 the beast himself receives a mortal wound. [source]
Revelation 13:15 Even to the image [τηι εικονι]
No “even” in the Greek, just apposition with αυτηι — autēi (her).That should both speak and cause (ινα και λαλησηι και ποιησηι — hina kai lalēsēi kai poiēsēi). Final clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of λαλεω — laleō and ποιεω — poieō Ventriloquism like that in Acts 16:16.That should be killed Sub-final clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of αποκτεινω — apokteinō after ποιησηι — poiēsēi as in Revelation 13:12 (future indicative).As many as should not worship (οσοι εαν μη προσκυνησωσιν — hosoi ean mē proskunēsōsin). Indefinite relative clause with modal εαν — ean (= αν — an) and the first aorist active subjunctive of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the accusative την εικονα — tēn eikona (some MSS. the dative). Note the triple use of “the image of the beast” in this sentence. “That refusal to worship the image of the emperor carried with it capital punishment in Trajan‘s time is clear from Pliny‘s letter to Trajan (X. 96)” (Charles). [source]
Revelation 13:16 He causeth all [same use of ποιεω]
(same use of ποιεω — poieō as in Revelation 13:12, Revelation 13:15). Note article here with each class (the small and the great, etc.). [source]
Revelation 14:9 A third [τριτος]
“The third of this succession of herald angels denounces the Caesar-worshippers” (Swete). Cf. Revelation 13:12. This counter proclamation (Revelation 14:9-12) warns those tempted to yield to the threats of the second beast about boycott and death (Revelation 13:11-17). [source]
Revelation 16:13 Of the beast [του τηριου]
The first beast (Revelation 13:1, Revelation 13:12) and then just the beast (Revelation 13:14.; Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2, Revelation 16:10), the brute force of the World-power represented by the Roman Empire” (Swete). [source]
Revelation 22:14 That they may have the right [ινα εσται η εχουσια αυτων]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the future middle of ειμι — eimi (a common construction in this book, Revelation 6:4, Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 14:13), that there may be their right.” [source]
Revelation 13:15 That should be killed [ινα αποκταντωσιν]
Sub-final clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of αποκτεινω — apokteinō after ποιησηι — poiēsēi as in Revelation 13:12 (future indicative).As many as should not worship (οσοι εαν μη προσκυνησωσιν — hosoi ean mē proskunēsōsin). Indefinite relative clause with modal εαν — ean (= αν — an) and the first aorist active subjunctive of προσκυνεω — proskuneō with the accusative την εικονα — tēn eikona (some MSS. the dative). Note the triple use of “the image of the beast” in this sentence. “That refusal to worship the image of the emperor carried with it capital punishment in Trajan‘s time is clear from Pliny‘s letter to Trajan (X. 96)” (Charles). [source]
Revelation 13:16 That there be given them [ινα δωσιν αυτοις]
Same use of ινα — hina after ποιεω — poieō as in Revelation 13:12, Revelation 13:15, only here with indefinite plural δωσιν — dōsin (second aorist active subjunctive), “that they give themselves,” as in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 16:15.A mark (χαραγμα — charagma). Old word from χαρασσω — charassō to engrave, in Acts 17:29 of idolatrous images, but in Rev (Revelation 13:16, Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4) of the brand of the beast on the right hand or on the forehead or on both. Deissmann (Bible Studies, pp. 240ff.) shows that in the papyri official business documents often have the name and image of the emperor, with the date as the official stamp or seal and with χαραγμα — charagma as the name of this seal. Animals and slaves were often branded with the owner‘s name, as Paul (Galatians 6:17) bore the stigmata of Christ. Ptolemy Philadelphus compelled some Alexandrian Jews to receive the mark of Dionysus as his devotees (3 Macc. 3:29). The servants of God receive on their foreheads the stamp of the divine seal (Revelation 7:3). Charles is certain that John gets his metaphor from the τεπιλλιν — tephillin (phylacteries) which the Jew wore on his left hand and on his forehead. At any rate, this “mark of the beast” was necessary for life and all social and business relations. On the right hand, that is in plain sight.Upon their forehead Accusative with επι — epi though genitive just before with χειρος — cheiros (hand). See note on Revelation 7:3 and note on Revelation 9:4 (genitive επι των μετωπων — epi tōn metōpōn). Only in the Apocalypse in N.T. [source]
Revelation 16:13 Of the dragon [του δρακοντος]
That is Satan (Revelation 12:3, Revelation 12:9).Of the beast (του τηριου — tou thēriou). The first beast (Revelation 13:1, Revelation 13:12) and then just the beast (Revelation 13:14.; Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2, Revelation 16:10), the brute force of the World-power represented by the Roman Empire” (Swete).Of the false prophet Cf. Matthew 7:15; Acts 13:6; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7. Identified with the second beast (Revelation 13:11-14) in Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10. So the sixth bowl introduces the dragon and his two subalterns of chapters Rev 12; 13 (the two beasts).Three unclean spirits (πνευματα τρια ακαταρτα — pneumata tria akatharta). Out of the mouths of each of the three evil powers (the dragon and the two beasts) comes an evil spirit. See the use of mouth in Revelation 1:16 (Revelation 9:17.; Revelation 11:5; Revelation 12:15; Revelation 19:15, Revelation 19:21) as a chief seat of influence. In 2 Thessalonians 2:8 we have “the breath of his mouth” (the other sense of πνευμα — pneuma). For ακαταρτον — akatharton (unclean) with πνευμα — pneuma see Mark 1:23.; Mark 3:11; Mark 5:2.; Acts 5:16; Acts 8:7. Christ expelled unclean spirits, but His enemies send them forth” (Swete). See Zechariah 13:2 “the false prophets and the unclean spirits.”As it were frogs Cf. Exodus 8:5; Leviticus 11:10. Old word, here alone in N.T. Like loathsome frogs in form. [source]
Revelation 22:14 They that wash their robes [οι πλυνοντες τας στολας αυτων]
Present active articular participle of πλυνω — plunō See Revelation 7:14 for this very verb with στολας — stolas while in Revelation 3:4 the negative statement occurs. Cf. 1 Corinthians 6:11.That they may have the right (ινα εσται η εχουσια αυτων — hina estai hē exousia autōn). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the future middle of ειμι — eimi (a common construction in this book, Revelation 6:4, Revelation 6:11; Revelation 9:5, Revelation 9:20; Revelation 13:12; Revelation 14:13), that there may be their right.”To come to the tree of life “Over the tree of life.” On εχουσια επι — exousia epi = “power over” see Revelation 6:8; Revelation 13:7; Revelation 16:9; Luke 9:1. On “the tree of life” see Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2.May enter in (εισελτωσιν — eiselthōsin). Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the second aorist active subjunctive of εισερχομαι — eiserchomai parallel with ινα εσται — hina estai (future).By the gates Associative instrumental case of πυλων — pulōn (Revelation 21:12), “by the gate towers.” [source]
Revelation 9:5 But that they should be tormented [αλλ ινα βασανιστησονται]
Sub-final clause again with ινα — hina but this time with the first future passive indicative (like Revelation 3:9; Revelation 6:4; Revelation 8:3; Revelation 13:12) of βασανιζω — basanizō old verb, to test metals (from βασανος — basanos Matthew 4:24) by touchstone, then to torture like Matthew 8:29, further in Revelation 11:10; Revelation 12:2; Revelation 14:10; Revelation 20:10.Five months (μηνας πεντε — mēnas pente). Accusative of extent of time. The actual locust is born in the spring and dies at the end of summer (about five months).Torment Late word for torture, from βασανιζω — basanizō in N.T. only in Revelation 9:5; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 18:7, Revelation 18:10, Revelation 18:15. The wound of the scorpion was not usually fatal, though exceedingly painful.When it striketh a man (οταν παισηι αντρωπον — hotan paisēi anthrōpon). Indefinite temporal clause with οταν — hotan and the first aorist active subjunctive of παιω — paiō (Matthew 26:51), old verb, to smite, “whenever it smites a man.” [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 13:12 mean?

And the authority of the first beast all it exercises on behalf of it causes earth those in it dwelling that they will worship the beast - first of whom had been healed the wound - fatal
καὶ τὴν ἐξουσίαν τοῦ πρώτου θηρίου πᾶσαν ποιεῖ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ποιεῖ γῆν τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ κατοικοῦντας ἵνα προσκυνήσουσιν τὸ θηρίον τὸ πρῶτον οὗ ἐθεραπεύθη πληγὴ τοῦ θανάτου

ἐξουσίαν  authority 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐξουσία  
Sense: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πρώτου  first 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: πρῶτος  
Sense: first in time or place.
θηρίου  beast 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: θηρίον  
Sense: an animal.
ποιεῖ  it  exercises 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
ἐνώπιον  on  behalf 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐνώπιον  
Sense: in the presence of, before.
αὐτοῦ  of  it 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ποιεῖ  causes 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
γῆν  earth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
τοὺς  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
κατοικοῦντας  dwelling 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: κατοικέω 
Sense: to dwell, settle.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
προσκυνήσουσιν  they  will  worship 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: προσκυνέω  
Sense: to kiss the hand to (towards) one, in token of reverence.
θηρίον  beast 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: θηρίον  
Sense: an animal.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
πρῶτον  first 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: πρῶτος  
Sense: first in time or place.
οὗ  of  whom 
Parse: Personal / Relative Pronoun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: ὅς 
Sense: who, which, what, that.
ἐθεραπεύθη  had  been  healed 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: θεραπεύω  
Sense: to serve, do service.
πληγὴ  wound 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: πληγή  
Sense: a blow, stripe, a wound.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
θανάτου  fatal 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θάνατος 
Sense: the death of the body.