Devine Scripture

Revelation 13:18

What does Revelation 13:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 13:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 13:18 means

The call for wisdom urges thoughtful discernment: “count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.” In John’s world, numbers could encode names, hinting that the beast’s identity is human, not divine, and perhaps linkable to a specific figure. Yet the triple six also speaks symbolically—man’s imperfection raised to its fullest pretension, always short of seven, the number of completeness. The beast is humanity absolutized: fallen power claiming godlike status. Wisdom refuses to be dazzled; it unmasks pretensions. The verse does not license idle speculation but summons careful recognition of anti-God systems and leaders whose hallmark is perfected, persistent fallenness.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Here is wisdom. He who has knowledge let him get the number of the beast; because it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty-six.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Here is the wisdom! He who is having the understanding, let him count the number of the beast, for the number of a man it is, and its number <FI>is<Fi> six hundred and sixty six.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast. For it is the number of a man: and the number of him is six hundred sixty-six.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Here is wisdom. He that has understanding let him count the number of the beast: for it is a man's number; and its number [is] six hundred [and] sixty-six.

Context

The chapter closes by directing readers to wise calculation regarding the beast’s number. After unveiling a regime of deceptive signs, enforced worship, and economic control, John grounds resistance in discernment. Verse 18 does not end with terror but with a task: understand what you face. This concluding note bridges to the next visions by equipping believers intellectually and spiritually to recognize counterfeit authority and to remain loyal to the Lamb elsewhere celebrated in Revelation.

v.17and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name.

v.18This passage

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 17:9

    Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth:

  • Revelation 15:2

    And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that come off victorious from the beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God.

  • Hosea 14:9

    Who is wise, that he may understand these things? prudent, that he may know them? for the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein.

  • Revelation 1:3

    Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.

  • Romans 3:5

    But if our unrighteousness commendeth the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who visiteth with wrath? (I speak after the manner of men.)

  • Psalms 107:43

    Whoso is wise will give heed to these things; And they will consider the lovingkindnesses of Jehovah.

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