Devine Scripture

Revelation 16:13

What does Revelation 16:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 16:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 16:13 means

John sees three unclean spirits like frogs come from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet. This unholy trio issues emissaries that resemble an Egyptian plague and an unclean creature. That they come from their mouths suggests the power of deceitful speech—propaganda, blasphemy, and lying wonders. The false prophet, introduced here by name, functions as the religious face of the beast’s system. These spirits do not bring life but carry contagion, hopping from one ruler to another. Their frog-like form hints at repulsiveness and noise, contrasting with the pure word of God that gives truth and light.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs:

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as it were frogs:

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, like frogs.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I saw <FI>come<Fi> out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs--

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw from the mouth of the dragon and from the mouth of the beast and from the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I saw out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits, as frogs;

Context

This vision explains the spiritual engine behind the global gathering. After the Euphrates is dried, the evil triad sends forth deceiving spirits, which verse 14 will explicitly identify as demons working signs. The flow shows both God’s sovereignty in allowing the way to be prepared and the devil’s activity in luring kings into a futile war. A Christ-given warning to stay awake will interrupt before the narrative resumes the gathering.

v.12And the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river, the river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrising.

v.13This passage

v.14for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.

Cross references

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

  • 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.

  • Revelation 16:14

    for they are spirits of demons, working signs; which go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.

  • Revelation 13:11

    And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

  • Revelation 13:1

    and he stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy.

  • Psalms 78:45

    He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them; And frogs, which destroyed them.

  • Revelation 12:9

    And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.

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