Devine Scripture

Revelation 12:13

What does Revelation 12:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 12:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 12:13 means

Seeing himself cast down, the dragon persecutes the woman who gave birth to the male child. Frustrated by his failure against the Messiah and stripped of his place in heaven, he now targets the covenant community through whom the Christ came. The image recognizes that opposition to God’s people is, at root, satanic. Yet the earlier assurances of divine preparation and nourishment remain in force. The devil’s rage is a sign of his defeat, not his sovereignty. His aim is to wound the mother because he cannot reach the enthroned Son. The text prepares us to watch for God’s counteraction to protect and sustain the woman.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he persecuted the woman that brought forth the man child.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when the dragon saw that he was cast down to the earth, he persecuted the woman that brought forth the man child.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And when the dragon saw that he was forced down to the earth, he made cruel attacks on the woman who gave birth to the male child.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And when the dragon saw that he was cast forth to the earth, he pursued the woman who did bring forth the male,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman who brought forth the man child.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And when the dragon saw that he had been cast out into the earth, he persecuted the woman which bore the male [child].

Context

Following heaven’s announcement of woe for the earth, verse 13 returns to the woman on earth and directly links the dragon’s persecution to his recent downfall. The focus moves from cosmic declarations to concrete pursuit. This prepares for verse 14, where God provides the woman a means of escape and nourishment in the wilderness for a defined, limited period. Reading this flow keeps the reader alert to both danger and deliverance.

v.12Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.

v.13This passage

v.14And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 3:15

    and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

  • Revelation 12:3

    And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems.

  • Psalms 37:12

    The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

  • John 16:33

    These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye may have peace. In the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

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