Revelation 13:14
What does Revelation 13:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 13:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 13:14 means
Through the granted signs, the second beast deceives and instructs the inhabitants of the earth to make an image for the beast that survived the sword. This is religion turned into propaganda and art into an engine of worship. The image is both memorial and mandate, a visible focus for allegiance to the beast’s supposed triumph over death. Idolatry often begins with commemoration that becomes veneration. The verse underscores human complicity: the people are not merely coerced; they are persuaded to craft the very symbol that will rule them. The power of narrative—“who hath the stroke of the sword and lived”—cements devotion. Deception thus recruits the masses into building their own snare.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power 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, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And those who are on the earth are turned from the true way by him through the signs which he was given power to do before the beast; giving orders to those who are on the earth to make an image to the beast, who was wounded by the sword, and came to life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and it leadeth astray those dwelling on the land, because of the signs that were given it to do before the beast, saying to those dwelling upon the land to make an image to the beast that hath the stroke of the sword and did live,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And he seduced them that dwell on the earth, for the signs which were given him to do in the sight of the beast: saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make the image of the beast which had the wound by the sword and lived.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it deceives those that dwell upon the earth by reason of the signs which it was given to it to work before the beast, saying to those that dwell upon the earth to make an image to the beast, which has the wound of the sword, and lived.
Context
Coming after the public miracles of verse 13, verse 14 makes their purpose explicit: to deceive and to commission an image. This sets up verse 15, where the image is animated and becomes the instrument of lethal enforcement. The flow moves from sign to symbol to sanction, showing the tightening grip of the false worship system. Understanding this prepares the reader for the deadly seriousness of refusing idolatry in the next verse.
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.
v.14This passage
v.15And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone:
- Ezekiel 14:9
And if the prophet be deceived and speak a word, I, Jehovah, have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.
- 2 Kings 22:20
Therefore, behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
- Revelation 18:23
and the light of a lamp shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived.
- Ezekiel 16:17
Thou didst also take thy fair jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given thee, and madest for thee images of men, and didst play the harlot with them;
- Job 12:16
With him is strength and wisdom; The deceived and the deceiver are his.
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