Revelation 2:20
What does Revelation 2:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 2:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 2:20 means
Jesus confronts Thyatira for allowing a woman He calls “Jezebel” to claim prophetic authority and seduce His servants into sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. The name evokes the infamous queen who promoted idolatry, highlighting the gravity of this influence. The issue is not merely her presence but the church’s tolerance of her teaching. Christ’s servants are being led astray under the banner of spirituality. He holds the church responsible for permitting what He forbids. True prophecy leads to holiness and fidelity; counterfeit prophecy justifies compromise. The Good Shepherd will not leave His flock under such misguidance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But I have this against you, that you let the woman Jezebel say she is a prophet and give false teaching, making my servants go after the desires of the flesh and take food offered to false gods.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`But I have against thee a few things: That thou dost suffer the woman Jezebel, who is calling herself a prophetess, to teach, and to lead astray, my servants to commit whoredom, and idol-sacrifices to eat;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But I have against thee a few things: because thou sufferest the woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication and to eat of things sacrificed to idols.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But I have against thee that thou permittest the woman Jezebel, she who calls herself prophetess, and she teaches and leads astray my servants to commit fornication and eat of idol sacrifices.
Context
After commendation (verse 19), the letter turns sharply to rebuke. The problem is internal: a tolerated, seductive teaching encouraging idolatry and immorality, themes also present in Pergamum (verses 14–15). Verses 21–23 will show Christ’s patience already extended and His impending, severe judgment if there is no repentance. Following this, encouragement will be given to the faithful remnant (verses 24–25) and promises to overcomers (verses 26–28).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- 1 Kings 21:7
And Jezebel his wife said unto him, Dost thou now govern the kingdom of Israel? arise, and eat bread, and let thy heart be merry: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.
- 1 Kings 19:1
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
- 2 Kings 9:7
And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of Jehovah, at the hand of Jezebel.
- Numbers 25:1
And Israel abode in Shittim; and the people began to play the harlot with the daughters of Moab:
- Revelation 2:14
But 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.
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