Revelation 12:9
What does Revelation 12:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 12:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 12:9 means
Now the enemy is unmasked: the great dragon is the ancient serpent, the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He and his angels are cast down to the earth. The title “ancient serpent” recalls the first deception and shows the continuity of his malice; “Devil” and “Satan” highlight his roles as slanderer and adversary. Being cast down marks a change in sphere, not an end to his activity. Deprived of access above, he concentrates on deception and destruction below. The vision assures believers that his power is limited and derivative; he is thrown down by God’s act, not leaving heaven by choice.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the great dragon was forced down, the old snake, who is named the Evil One and Satan, by whom all the earth is turned from the right way; he was forced down to the earth, and his angels were forced down with him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the great dragon was cast forth--the old serpent, who is called `Devil,' and `the Adversary,' who is leading astray the whole world--he was cast forth to the earth, and his messengers were cast forth with him.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world. And he was cast unto the earth: and his angels were thrown down with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the great dragon was cast out, the ancient serpent, he who is called Devil and Satan, he who deceives the whole habitable world, he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Context
Following the statement of defeat in verse 8, verse 9 names the dragon and describes his forced descent. This sets up the explanatory hymn in verse 10, which interprets the casting down as the coming of salvation and the kingdom. The identification also clarifies that the earthly troubles believers face are driven by a single, known adversary. The next verses will explain how saints overcome him and why heaven rejoices while earth is warned.
v.8and they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.
v.9This passage
v.10And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 13:39
and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are angels.
- Job 1:6
Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them.
- Revelation 2:13
I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.
- Hebrews 2:14
Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
- Matthew 24:24
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
- 2 Corinthians 4:4
in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.
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