Revelation 13:4
What does Revelation 13:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 13:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 13:4 means
Astonished people worship the dragon by worshiping the beast. Their chant—“Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him?”—parodies language of praise that belongs to God alone. Power intoxicates; invincibility impresses. But the question betrays a fatal error: they measure worth by military might instead of truth and righteousness. This worship is devilish precisely because it redirects ultimate trust from the Creator to a creaturely power. Evil’s strategy is not mere terror but devotion misdirected. The verse exposes idolatry’s core: assigning God’s uniqueness to an impressive rival. When hearts adore what they fear, they become compliant, handing over conscience for the promise of safety against all challengers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they gave worship to the dragon, because he gave authority to the beast; and worshipping the beast, they said, Who is like the beast? and who is able to go to war with him?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and they did bow before the dragon who did give authority to the beast, and they did bow before the beast, saying, `Who <FI>is<Fi> like to the beast? who is able to war with it?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they adored the dragon which gave power to the beast. And they adored the beast, saying: Who is like to the beast? And who shall be able to fight with him?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And they did homage to the dragon, because he gave the authority to the beast; and they did homage to the beast, saying, Who [is] like to the beast? and who can make war with it?
Context
The healed wound in verse 3 leads straight to religious devotion. Verse 4 explains why the beast’s rule will be so pervasive: the world willingly bends the knee, interpreting strength as divinity. Next, verses 5–7 will describe the beast’s blasphemies, time-limited authority, and war against the saints. This transition from wonder to worship to war makes sense only if the beast is seen as the dragon’s proxy deity, receiving the kind of praise that authorizes ruthless dominion.
v.3And 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;
v.4This passage
v.5and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 10:20
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons.
- Revelation 18:18
and cried out as they looked upon the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like the great city?
- Deuteronomy 9:2
a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the sons of Anak?
- Revelation 12:3
And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems.
- Exodus 15:11
Who is like unto thee, O Jehovah, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
- 2 Corinthians 4:4
in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.
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