Revelation 20:4
What does Revelation 20:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 20:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 20:4 means
John sees thrones and seated judges, then specifically the souls of those beheaded for Jesus and God’s word, who had refused worship of the beast, his image, and his mark. They live and reign with Christ for a thousand years. Here is vindication: those who seemed defeated are enthroned; those silenced now share in judgment and rule. Their loyalty to Christ in life leads to life with Christ in reign. The emphasis on refusal to compromise shows true victory lies in faithfulness, not survival. Their reign is not independent, but with Christ, the true King. The scene comforts sufferers: martyrdom is not the end, but a gateway to honored participation in Christ’s kingdom.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I saw high seats, and they were seated on them, and the right of judging was given to them: and I saw the souls of those who were put to death for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and those who did not give worship to the beast, or to his image, and had not his mark on their brows or on their hands; and they were living and ruling with Christ a thousand years.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them, and the souls of those who have been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus, and because of the word of God, and who did not bow before the beast, nor his image, and did not receive the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand, and they did live and reign with Christ the thousand years;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I saw seats. And they sat upon them: and judgment was given unto them. And the souls of them that were beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God and who had not adored the beast nor his image nor received his character on their foreheads or in their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I saw thrones; and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them; and the souls of those beheaded on account of the testimony of Jesus, and on account of the word ofGod; and those who had not done homage to the beast nor to his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and hand; and they lived and reigned with the Christ a thousand years:
Context
After Satan’s binding, the vision shifts from the removal of deception to the exaltation of the faithful. Verse 4 centers on those who resisted the beast’s demands, contrasting their fate with the beast’s earlier doom. It introduces the notion of a distinctive resurrection life for them during the thousand years. The next verses will define this as the “first resurrection,” distinguish the rest of the dead, and pronounce a blessing on those who share in it, before pivoting later to Satan’s brief release.
v.3and cast him into the abyss, and shutit, and sealeditover him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.
v.4This passage
v.5The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished. This is the first resurrection.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
- Revelation 13:12
And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them that dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed.
- Revelation 1:9
I John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patiencewhich arein Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
- Daniel 7:9
I beheld till thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit: his raiment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire.
- Luke 9:7
Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead;
- Revelation 22:5
And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
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