Devine Scripture

Revelation 17:13

What does Revelation 17:13 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 17:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 17:13 means

These kings are fully aligned—“one mind”—and willingly hand over their authority to the beast. This is not mere coercion; it is ideological unity around a shared defiance of God and His Christ. The text exposes the spiritual root of political alliances that serve evil: they consolidate power by surrendering it to a central figure who embodies their aims. Such unanimity looks irresistible to the world, yet it is a sign of judgment brewing. The stage is set for a showdown not merely with other nations, but with the Lamb Himself, whose quiet sovereignty far exceeds their pooled strength.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

These have one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

these have one mind, and their own power and authority to the beast they shall give over;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

These have one design: and their strength and power they shall deliver to the beast.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

These have one mind, and give their power and authority to the beast.

Context

Following the identification of the ten horns, verse 13 explains their inner cohesion. Their unity is what enables the swift, short-lived surge of power described earlier. This verse functions as the hinge to verse 14, where the combined forces explicitly oppose the Lamb and are defeated. The sequence shows the moral logic: voluntary union in rebellion leads inevitably to confrontation with Christ, and thus to defeat.

v.12And the ten horns that thou sawest are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour.

v.13This passage

v.14These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.

Cross references

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

  • Isaiah 10:5

    Ho Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, the staff in whose hand is mine indignation!

  • Ezekiel 38:10

    Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: It shall come to pass in that day, that things shall come into thy mind, and thou shalt devise an evil device:

  • Revelation 17:17

    For God did put in their hearts to do his mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.

  • Philippians 2:2

    make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;

  • Philippians 1:27

    Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;

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