Devine Scripture

Revelation 13:13

What does Revelation 13:13 mean?

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

What Revelation 13:13 means

The second beast performs great signs, including calling fire from heaven in view of all. This spectacle imitates genuine prophetic acts, yet serves a false god. The public nature of the signs matters; deception thrives when crowds witness what seems undeniable. Miracles, in themselves, are not proof of truth. The measure is message: does the sign lead to worship of the Creator or to a blasphemous regime? The verse teaches caution toward displays of power, especially religious ones that consolidate political idolatry. The dragon speaks through wonders as well as words. True faith tests spirits and refuses to be awed into error by phenomena that contradict God’s revealed character and exalt an anti-God authority.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he does great signs, even making fire come down from heaven on the earth before the eyes of men.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and it doth great signs, that fire also it may make to come down from the heaven to the earth before men,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he did great signs, so that he made also fire to come down from heaven unto the earth, in the sight of men.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it works great signs, that it should cause even fire to come down from heaven to the earth before men.

Context

Verse 12 tied worship to authority; verse 13 shows the tool: dazzling signs. This prepares for verse 14’s explicit statement that these signs deceive earth-dwellers into crafting an image to the beast. The narrative sequence is clear: signs beget deception, deception begets idolatrous action, which then justifies harsher coercion in verse 15. Recognizing this progression helps readers see how spiritual manipulation becomes state policy.

v.12And 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.

v.13This passage

v.14And 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.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Timothy 3:8

    And even as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also withstand the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith.

  • Matthew 16:1

    And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying him asked him to show them a sign from heaven.

  • Revelation 16:14

    for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.

  • Exodus 9:11

    And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boils were upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.

  • 1 Kings 18:38

    Then the fire of Jehovah fell, and consumed the burnt-offering, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

  • Numbers 16:35

    And fire came forth from Jehovah, and devoured the two hundred and fifty men that offered the incense.

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