HE STOOD (εσταθη). First aorist passive indicative of ιστημ (intransitive), as in Revelation 8:3. "He stopped" on his way to war with the rest of the woman's seed. P Q read here εσταθην (I stood) when it has to be connected with chapter Revelation 13:13.UPON THE SAND (επ την αμμον). The accusat... [ Continue Reading ]
LIKE UNTO A LEOPARD (ομοιον παρδαλε). Associative-instrumental case of παρδαλις, old word for panther, leopard, here only in N.T. The leopard (λεο, παρδ) was considered a cross between a panther and a lioness.AS THE FEET OF A BEAR (ως αρκου). Old word, also spelled αρκτος, here only in N.T. Fro... [ Continue Reading ]
AND I SAW (κα). No verb (ειδον) in the old MSS., but clearly understood from verse Revelation 13:2.AS THOUGH IT HAD BEEN SMITTEN (ως εσφαγμενην). Perfect passive participle of σφαζω, as in Revelation 5:6, accusative singular agreeing with μιαν (one of the heads), object of ειδον understood, "as... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WORSHIPPED THE DRAGON (προσεκυνησαν τω δρακοντ). First aorist active indicative of προσκυνεω, with dative case δρακοντ (from δρακων). They really worshipped Satan (the dragon) when "they worshipped the beast" (προσεκυνησαν τω θηριω) or any one of the heads (like Caligula, Nero, Domitian) of... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE WAS GIVEN TO HIM (εδοθη αυτω). First aorist passive indicative of διδωμ, to give, as in next line and verse Revelation 13:7. Perhaps a reference to εδωκεν (he gave) in verse Revelation 13:4, where the dragon (Satan) gave the beast his power. The ultimate source of power is God, but the refe... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR BLASPHEMIES (εις βλασφημιας). "For the purpose of blasphemies."AGAINST GOD (προς τον θεον). "Face to face with God" in sheer defiance, like Milton's picture of Satan in _Paradise Lost_. See Daniel 7:25; Daniel 8:10. The aorist ηνοιξεν is probably constative, for he repeated the blasphemies,... [ Continue Reading ]
TO MAKE WAR WITH THE SAINTS AND TO OVERCOME THEM (ποιησα πολεμον μετα των αγιων κα νικησα αυτους). This clause with two epexegetical first aorist active infinitives (πολεμησα and νικησα) is omitted in A C P, but probably by ομοεοτελευτον (like ending) because of the repetition of εδοθη. The words... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL WORSHIP HIM (προσκυνησουσιν αυτον). Future active of προσκυνεω with the accusative here as some MSS. in Revelation 13:4 (το θηριον), both constructions in this book.WHOSE (ου--αυτου). Redundant use of genitive αυτου (his) with ου (whose) as common in this book, and singular instead of plu... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY ONE HATH AN EAR (ε τις εχε ους). Condition of first class, repetition of the saying in Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:29, etc.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF ANY MAN IS FOR CAPTIVITY (ε τις εις αιχμαλωσιαν). Condition of first class, but with no copula (εστιν) expressed. For αιχμαλωσιαν (from αιχμαλωτος captive) see Ephesians 4:8, only other N.T. example. Apparently John means this as a warning to the Christians not to resist force with force, but... [ Continue Reading ]
ANOTHER BEAST (αλλο θηριον). Like the first beast (verse Revelation 13:1), not a ετερον θηριον (a different beast).OUT OF THE EARTH (εκ της γης). Not "out of the sea" as the first (verse Revelation 13:1), perhaps locating him in Asia Minor without world-wide scope, but plainly the agent of the... [ Continue Reading ]
HE EXERCISETH (ποιε). Present active dramatic present of ποιεω. In his sight (ενωπιον αυτου). In the eye of the first beast who gets his authority from the dragon (Revelation 13:2). The second beast carries on the succession of authority from the dragon and the first beast. It has been a common P... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE SHOULD EVEN MAKE FIRE COME DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN (ινα κα πυρ ποιη εκ του ουρανου καταβαινειν). Purpose clause again with ινα and the present active subjunctive of ποιεω and the object infinitive of καταβαινω after ποιε. Christ promised great signs to the disciples (John 14:12), but he also wa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE DECEIVETH (κα πλανα). Present active (dramatic) indicative of πλαναω, the very thing that Jesus had said would happen (Matthew 24:24, "So as to lead astray" ωστε πλανασθα, the word used here, if possible the very elect). It is a constant cause for wonder, the gullibility of the public at t... [ Continue Reading ]
TO GIVE BREATH TO IT (δουνα πνευμα αυτη). This second beast, probably a system like the first (not a mere person), was endowed with the power to work magical tricks, as was true of Simon Magus and Apollonius of Tyana and many workers of legerdemain since. Πνευμα here has its original meaning of b... [ Continue Reading ]
HE CAUSETH ALL (same use of ποιεÂω as in Revelation 13:12; Revelation 13:15). Note article here with each class (the small and the great, etc.).THAT THERE BE GIVEN THEM (ινα δωσιν αυτοις). Same use of ινα after ποιεω as in Revelation 13:12; Revelation 13:15, only here with indefinite plural δωσι... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT NO MAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO BUY OR TO SELL (ινα μη τις δυνητα αγορασα η πωλησα). Final clause with ινα and present middle subjunctive of δυναμα with aorist active infinitives. This is a regular boycott (Ramsay, _Seven Letters_, p. 106f.) against all not worshippers of the emperor.SAVE (ε μη).... [ Continue Reading ]
HERE IS WISDOM (ωδε η σοφια). The puzzle that follows as in Revelation 17:9. See Ephesians 1:17 for "a spirit of wisdom and of understanding."HE THAT UNDERSTANDS (ο εχων νουν). "The one having intelligence" in such matters. Cf. the adverb νουνεχως (discreetly) in Mark 12:34.LET HIM COUNT (ψηφ... [ Continue Reading ]