Revelation 2:14
What does Revelation 2:14 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 2:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 2:14 means
Jesus has a rebuke: some in Pergamum hold to the teaching of Balaam, who counseled Balak to cause Israel to stumble by eating food sacrificed to idols and committing sexual immorality. The reference uses Balaam as a pattern for corrupt influence that lures God’s people into compromise. In Pergamum, certain teachings were normalizing idolatrous participation and immoral practices. Christ identifies these as stumbling blocks, not small errors. Fidelity to Him requires separation from idolatry and purity in conduct. A church brave under persecution can still be endangered by permissive doctrine within, and Jesus confronts it for their good.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there some that hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But I have some things against you, because you have with you those who keep the teaching of Balaam, by whose suggestion Balak made the children of Israel go out of the right way, taking food which was offered to false gods, and going after the desires of the flesh.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`But I have against thee a few things: That thou hast there those holding the teaching of Balaam, who did teach Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat idol-sacrifices, and to commit whoredom;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I have against thee a few things: because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat and to commit fornication.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But I have a few things against thee: that thou hast there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a snare before the sons of Israel, to eat [of] idol sacrifices and commit fornication.
Context
This rebuke follows the strong commendation of verse 13. It names the problem clearly: toleration of teaching that leads to idolatry and immorality. The next verse (verse 15) parallels this fault with the Nicolaitan teaching, suggesting a pattern of moral laxity cloaked as Christian freedom. Verse 16 will issue a call to repent and a warning of swift, word-based judgment if they refuse. The promise in verse 17 offers motivation to overcome.
v.13I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.
v.14This passage
v.15So hast thou also some that hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans in like manner.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joshua 24:9
Then Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, arose and fought against Israel: and he sent and called Balaam the son of Beor to curse you;
- Acts 15:29
that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.
- Romans 14:13
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling.
- 1 Corinthians 7:2
But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
- 1 Corinthians 8:4
Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one.
- Numbers 31:8
And they slew the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.
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