Devine Scripture

Revelation 13:5

What does Revelation 13:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 13:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 13:5 means

The beast is granted a voice to boast and blaspheme, and a fixed span—forty and two months—to operate. Its arrogance flows from permission, not autonomy. Even evil’s loudest claims occur within divinely set boundaries. The duration echoes other prophetic periods of tribulation, signaling a season that is intense but not endless. The blasphemies reveal what fills this rule: self-exaltation that insults God’s name and truth. For readers, the verse balances realism and hope. Expect proud, God-mocking rhetoric from powers that rise; yet take courage that their platform is temporary. God governs the clock. The beast may dominate the microphone for a time, but the expiration date is already stamped upon its reign.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And there was given to him a mouth to say words of pride against God; and there was given to him authority to go on for forty-two months.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there was given to it a mouth speaking great things, and evil-speakings, and there was given to it authority to make war forty-two months,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies: and power was given to him to do, two and forty months.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there was given to it a mouth, speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to it authority to pursue its career forty-two months.

Context

After the world’s worship, John reveals the content and timeframe of the beast’s rule. Verse 5 frames the next actions—slander against God and persecution of saints—as part of a permitted period. It prepares readers for verse 6’s specific blasphemies and verse 7’s war on believers. This boundary-setting is crucial: it keeps the coming horrors in perspective, reminding that God remains sovereign over duration even when the saints are pressured and the beast seems ascendant.

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?

v.5This passage

v.6And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:4

    he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.

  • Revelation 12:6

    And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

  • Revelation 12:14

    And there were given to the woman the two wings of the great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness unto her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

  • Daniel 7:25

    And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.

  • Revelation 13:7

    And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

  • Revelation 11:7

    And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 13

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 13.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Revelation 13:5.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary