Devine Scripture

Revelation 13:12

What does Revelation 13:12 mean?

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

What Revelation 13:12 means

The earth-beast acts as executor and evangelist for the first beast’s cult. He wields the same authority in the first beast’s presence and directs the earth and its inhabitants to worship the one with the healed death-stroke. The regime becomes a duet: political power crowned by religious legitimation. The earlier counterfeit resurrection remains central; the second beast keeps public attention fixed on the sign that seems to validate the first. Authority here is theatrical and liturgical, creating rituals of allegiance. This exposes how idolatry spreads: not only by fear, but by ceremony and repeated narratives that sacralize power. People are shepherded into worship, their desires shaped by a constant display of supposed miracle and mandate.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he makes use of all the authority of the first beast before his eyes. And he makes the earth and those who are in it give worship to the first beast, whose death-wound was made well.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he executed all the power of the former beast in his sight. And he caused the earth and them that dwell therein to adore the first beast, whose wound to death was healed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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.

Context

Building on verse 11’s introduction, verse 12 explains the role of the second beast: he channels and amplifies the first beast’s rule, especially by directing worship. The next verses (13–15) will detail the miraculous signs and the image that speak, culminating in lethal enforcement. The flow emphasizes function: what begins as a lamb-like figure becomes the priest of a counterfeit religion, orchestrating devotion to the sea-beast.

v.11And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

v.12This passage

v.13And he doeth great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 14:9

    And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice, If any man worshippeth the beast and his image, and receiveth a mark on his forehead, or upon his hand,

  • Revelation 13:3

    And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;

  • Revelation 17:10

    and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while.

  • Revelation 13:14

    And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him 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 who hath the stroke of the sword and lived.

  • Revelation 14:11

    and the smoke of their torment goeth up for ever and ever; and they have no rest day and night, they that worship the beast and his image, and whoso receiveth the mark of his name.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:4

    he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.

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