The Meaning of Revelation 13:11 Explained

Revelation 13:11

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.

YLT: And I saw another beast coming up out of the land, and it had two horns, like a lamb, and it was speaking as a dragon,

Darby: And I saw another beast rising out of the earth; and it had two horns like to a lamb, and spake as a dragon;

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Revelation 13:11 Mean?

Verse Meaning

Kai eidon, "and I saw," marks another new scene in the vision that John had been observing since Revelation 12:1 (cf. Revelation 13:1). John saw another beast (Gr. allo therion, one of the same kind) rise to prominence out of the earth. The Greek word translated "earth" (ges) refers to the land in contrast to the sea ( Revelation 13:1).
"In the minds of the ancients, none of the terrestrial animals could compare in magnitude with monsters from the deep, so coming out of the earth in itself indicated a degree of inferiority in power of the second beast to the first." [1]
"The second beast represented native political and economic authorities [2]." [3]
It is probably not valid to see a reference to Palestine in this reference to the earth.
"To argue that the earth means Palestine and that therefore this character is a Jew is reading into the passage more than it says." [4]
If the sea represents the abyss ( Revelation 13:1), the earth probably represents planet earth. Clearly this second beast is a servant of the dragon, but his connections with the dragon are not as obvious as those of the first beast.
His two horns may symbolize some political power but less power than that of the first beast (cf. Revelation 13:1; Revelation 5:6). [5] Probably in his external conduct this second beast was peaceful, as a lamb, but his words will prove satanic (cf. Matthew 7:15). His words reveal his true loyalty. He is a false prophet ( Revelation 16:13; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10).
"Preterist interpreters admit that it is impossible to find any ancient historical figure who is the counterpart of the second beast." [6]

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 13:11

Another beast [αλλο τηριον]
Like the first beast (Revelation 13:1), not a ετερον τηριον — heteron thērion (a different beast). [source]
Out of the earth [εκ της γης]
Not “out of the sea” as the first (Revelation 13:1), perhaps locating him in Asia Minor without world-wide scope, but plainly the agent of the first beast and so of the dragon.He had (ειχεν — eichen). Imperfect active of εχω — echō Only two horns (not ten like the first, Revelation 13:1).Like unto a lamb Usual construction. Only the two horns of a young lamb and without the ferocity of the other beast, but “he spake as a dragon” Gunkel and Charles confess their inability to make anything out of this item. But Swete thinks that he had the roar of a dragon with all the looks of a lamb (weakness and innocence). Cf. the wolves in sheep‘s clothing (Matthew 7:15). [source]
He had [ειχεν]
Imperfect active of εχω — echō Only two horns (not ten like the first, Revelation 13:1). [source]
Like unto a lamb [ομοια αρνιωι]
Usual construction. Only the two horns of a young lamb and without the ferocity of the other beast, but “he spake as a dragon” Gunkel and Charles confess their inability to make anything out of this item. But Swete thinks that he had the roar of a dragon with all the looks of a lamb (weakness and innocence). Cf. the wolves in sheep‘s clothing (Matthew 7:15). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 13:11

Revelation 14:1 The Lamb [το αρνιον]
See Revelation 5:6; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 13:8 and is in contrast with the anarthrous αρνιον — arnion in Revelation 13:11. This proleptic vision of the Lamb “standing on the mount Zion” These victors have the name of the Lamb and God upon their foreheads as in Revelation 3:12; Revelation 22:4, in place of the mark of the beast above (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:11). This seal protects them (Revelation 9:4). [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 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 16:13 Of the false prophet [του πσευδοπροπητου]
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 19:20 The false prophet [ο πσευδοπροπητης]
Possibly the second beast of Revelation 13:11-17; Revelation 16:13; Revelation 20:10. Charles takes him to be “the priesthood of the Imperial cult, which practised all kinds of magic and imposture to beguile men to worship the Beast.”That wrought the signs in his sight (ο ποιεσας τα σημεια ενωπιον αυτου — ho poiesas ta sēmeia enōpion autou). As in Revelation 13:14.Wherewith “In which” signs.He deceived (επλανησεν — eplanēsen). First aorist active indicative of πλαναω — planaō He was only able to deceive “them that had received” (τους λαβοντας — tous labontas articular second aorist active participle of λαμβανω — lambanō “those receiving”) “the mark of the beast” (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:9.; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 20:4) “and them that worshipped his image” (τους προσκυνουντας τηι εικονι αυτου — tous proskunountas tēi eikoni autou) as in Revelation 13:15.They twain “The two.”Were cast (εβλητησαν — eblēthēsan). First aorist passive Indicative of βαλλω — ballō They fall together as they fought together. “The day that sees the end of a false statecraft will see also that of a false priestcraft” (Swete).Alive Present active participle of ζαω — zaō predicative nominative, “living.”Into the lake of fire (εις την λιμνην του πυρος — eis tēn limnēn tou puros). Genitive πυρος — puros describes this λιμνην — limnēn (lake, cf. Luke 5:1) as it does γεεννα — gehenna in Matthew 5:22. See also Revelation 20:10; Revelation 21:8. It is a different figure from the “abyss” in Revelation 9:1; Revelation 20:1. This is the final abode of Satan, the beast, the false prophet, and wicked men.That burneth with brimstone Note the genitive here in place of the accusative λιμνην — limnēn perhaps because of the intervening genitive πυρος — puros (neuter, not feminine). The agreement is regular in Revelation 21:8. For εν τειωι — en theiōi (with brimstone) see Revelation 14:10; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 21:8. The fact of hell is clearly taught here, but the imagery is not to be taken literally any more than that of heaven in chapters Revelation 4:1-11; Revelation 5:1-14; 21; 22 is to be so understood. Both fall short of the reality. [source]
Revelation 9:7 Unto horses [ιπποις]
Associative-instrumental case, as is the rule with ομοιος — homoios (Revelation 1:15; Revelation 2:18; Revelation 4:6.; Revelation 9:10, Revelation 9:19; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 13:2, Revelation 13:11), but with the accusative in Revelation 1:13; Revelation 14:14. So also ομοιοι χρυσωι — homoioi chrusōi (like gold) in this same verse.Prepared for war (ητοιμασμενοις εις πολεμον — hētoimasmenois eis polemon). Perfect passive participle of ετοιμαζω — hetoimazō This imagery of war-horses is like that in Joel 2:4. “The likeness of a locust to a horse, especially to a horse equipped with armour, is so striking that the insect is named in German heupferd (hay horse), and in Italian cavalett a little horse” (Vincent).As it were crowns Not actual crowns, but what looked like crowns of gold, as conquerors, as indeed they were (Revelation 4:4; Revelation 6:2; Revelation 12:1; Revelation 14:14). These locusts of the abyss have another peculiar feature.As men‘s faces (ως προσωπα αντρωπων — hōs prosōpa anthrōpōn). Human-looking faces in these demonic locusts to give added terror, “suggesting the intelligence and capacity of man” (Swete). Vincent actually sees “a distinct resemblance to the human countenance in the face of the locust.” [source]
Revelation 9:10 Like unto scorpions [ομοιας σκορπιοις]
Aleph A wrongly have ομοιοις — homoiois (agreeing with σκορπιοις — skorpiois instead of with ουρας — ouras). It is a condensed idiom for “like unto the tails of the scorpions” as we have it in Revelation 13:11 (cf. Matthew 5:20; 1 John 2:2).Stings (κεντρα — kentra). Old word from κεντρεω — kentreō (to prick, to sting), in N.T. only here, Acts 26:14 (about Paul); 1 Corinthians 15:55 (about death). It is used “of the spur of a cock, the quill of the porcupine, and the stings of insects” (Vincent). It was the goad used for oxen (Proverbs 26:3; Acts 26:14).In their tails This locates “their power to hurt” (η εχουσια αυτων αδικησαι — hē exousia autōn adikēsai infinitive here, ινα αδικησουσιν — hina adikēsousin in Revelation 9:4) in their tails. It might have been in other organs. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 13:11 mean?

And I saw another beast rising out of the earth it had horns two like a lamb it was speaking like a dragon
Καὶ εἶδον ἄλλο θηρίον ἀναβαῖνον ἐκ τῆς γῆς εἶχεν κέρατα δύο ὅμοια ἀρνίῳ ἐλάλει ὡς δράκων

εἶδον  I  saw 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: εἶδον 
Sense: to see with the eyes.
ἄλλο  another 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἄλλος  
Sense: another, other.
θηρίον  beast 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: θηρίον  
Sense: an animal.
ἀναβαῖνον  rising 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀναβαίνω  
Sense: ascend.
ἐκ  out  of 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐκ 
Sense: out of, from, by, away from.
γῆς  earth 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.
εἶχεν  it  had 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἔχω  
Sense: to have, i.e. to hold.
κέρατα  horns 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: κέρας  
Sense: a horn.
δύο  two 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Neuter Plural
Root: δύο 
Sense: the two, the twain.
ὅμοια  like 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: ὅμοιος  
Sense: like, similar, resembling.
ἀρνίῳ  a  lamb 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Singular
Root: ἀρνίον  
Sense: .
ἐλάλει  it  was  speaking 
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀπολαλέω 
Sense: to utter a voice or emit a sound.
ὡς  like 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὡς 
Sense: as, like, even as, etc.
δράκων  a  dragon 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: δράκων  
Sense: a dragon, a great serpent, a name for Satan.