Revelation 2:10
What does Revelation 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 2:10 means
Jesus commands them not to fear what they are about to suffer. Some will be imprisoned, a trial instigated by the devil, and they will endure “ten days” of tribulation—likely a limited, defined period. The Lord does not promise escape from hardship but calls them to be faithful even to death. In return, He will give the crown of life—honor and everlasting life from His hand. Suffering and death are not the end; fidelity is. Their trial is under divine limit and oversight, and the reward surpasses the cost. Christ’s words strengthen trembling hearts: courage now, life forever. He sets the terms of true victory.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Have no fear of the things which you will have to undergo: see, the Evil One will send some of you into prison, so that you may be put to the test; and you will have great trouble for ten days. Be true till death, and I will give you the crown of life.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Be not afraid of the things that thou art about to suffer; lo, the devil is about to cast of you to prison, that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days; become thou faithful unto death, and I will give to thee the crown of the life.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil will cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried: and you shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death: and I will give thee the crown of life.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Fear nothing [of] what thou art about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give to thee the crown of life.
Context
Building on verse 9’s acknowledgment of suffering, this verse provides both warning and promise. The devil’s role highlights the spiritual dimension of persecution, while the “ten days” underscores its limit. The call to faithfulness unto death anticipates the promise of verse 11: the overcomer will not be hurt by the second death. Together, verses 9–11 form a complete encouragement for Smyrna—realistic about trials, lavish about eternal reward.
v.9I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
v.10This passage
v.11He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 3:10
Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
- Revelation 13:15
And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
- Daniel 3:16
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter.
- 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.
- Luke 12:4
And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
- Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
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