Devine Scripture

Revelation 13:3

What does Revelation 13:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 13:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 13:3 means

One of the beast’s heads appears mortally wounded yet heals, and the world marvels. This is a counterfeit of resurrection, designed to captivate and persuade. Evil thrives when it mimics God’s works to validate its claims. The healing makes the beast seem invincible, as if death itself cannot stop it. Such spectacles win hearts that prize power over truth. The verse warns that apparent miracles, especially those that elevate oppressive regimes, should be tested by their allegiance: do they honor God or blaspheme Him? The world’s amazement reveals its spiritual vulnerability; without rootedness in the true God, people are ready to be swept into admiration of whatever appears triumphant and supernatural.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw one of his heads as if it had been given a death-wound; and his death-wound was made well: and all the earth was wondering at the beast.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I saw one of its heads as slain to death, and its deadly stroke was healed, and all the earth did wonder after the beast,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw one of his heads as it were slain to death: and his death's wound was healed. And all the earth was in admiration after the beast.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and one of his heads [was] as slain to death, and his wound of death had been healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast.

Context

Having identified the beast’s satanic empowerment, the narrative now highlights a pivotal sign: a death-stroke healed. This prepares for the world’s worship in verse 4 and the ensuing blasphemous boasting in verse 5. The flow shows how spectacle leads to submission. The healing becomes the propaganda center of this regime; what follows will leverage that amazement to justify its authority. Recognizing this link helps the reader understand both the depth of deception and why the subsequent coercion seems reasonable to earth-dwellers.

v.2And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.

v.3This passage

v.4and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him?

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Luke 2:1

    Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled.

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:9

    even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

  • Revelation 17:6

    And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder.

  • Acts 8:13

    And Simon also himself believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.

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