Revelation Chapter 13 — The Two Beasts and the Mark
John witnesses the emergence of two powerful beasts that demand worship and exert control over the earth through signs and economic restrictions.
1Then I stood*NU reads he stood on the sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous names.
2The beast which I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority.
3One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast.
4They worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
5A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two months was given to him.
6He opened his mouth for blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, his dwelling, and those who dwell in heaven.
7It was given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation was given to him.
8All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.
9If anyone has an ear, let him hear.
10If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed.†TR reads “If anyone leads into captivity, into captivity he goes. If anyone will kill with the sword, he must be killed with a sword.” instead of “If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed.” Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.
11I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.
12He exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence. He makes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed.
13He performs great signs, even making fire come down out of the sky to the earth in the sight of people.
14He deceives my own‡NU omits “my own” people who dwell on the earth because of the signs he was granted to do in front of the beast, saying to those who dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast who had the sword wound and lived.
15It was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn’t worship the image of the beast to be killed.
16He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, to be given marks on their right hands or on their foreheads;
17and that no one would be able to buy or to sell unless he has that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
18Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Revelation 13:8
“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.”
This verse distinguishes between those who follow the beast and those whose names are recorded in the Lamb's book of life.
Revelation 13:10
“If anyone is to go into captivity, he will go into captivity. If anyone is to be killed with the sword, he must be killed. Here is the endurance and the faith of the saints.”
It serves as an exhortation for believers to remain faithful and patient during times of intense persecution.
Revelation 13:18
“Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.”
This verse introduces the famous number of the beast, calling for spiritual insight to understand its meaning.
Chapter Summary
Revelation 13 describes two distinct entities that oppose God. The first beast rises from the sea, possessing characteristics of a leopard, bear, and lion, and receives its power from the dragon. One of its heads recovers from a fatal wound, leading the world to marvel and worship it. The beast utters blasphemies and is granted authority over every tribe and nation for forty-two months. A second beast then emerges from the earth, appearing like a lamb but speaking like a dragon. This second beast performs great signs, such as bringing fire down from the sky, to deceive people into worshipping the first beast. It mandates that everyone receive a mark on their right hand or forehead to participate in commerce. This mark represents the name or the number of the first beast, which is identified as six hundred sixty-six. The chapter concludes by calling for wisdom to understand the significance of this number.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first beast rises from the sea with ten horns and seven heads, symbolizing a world power that receives authority from the dragon. The second beast rises from the earth, appearing like a lamb, and serves as a deceptive figure that promotes the worship of the first beast.
According to the text, the mark is the name or the number of the first beast, placed on the right hand or the forehead. It is described as a requirement for anyone who wishes to buy or sell during the time of the beast's rule.
The text identifies 666 as 'the number of a man' and states that it requires wisdom and understanding to calculate. It serves as a specific identifier for the first beast and its authority.
The chapter states that the beast is given a mouth to speak blasphemies and authority to make war for a period of forty-two months.
Study Note
The description of the first beast combines the features of the four separate beasts found in Daniel 7, representing a consolidation of worldly power.
Related Chapters
Revelation 12
The previous chapter introduces the dragon who provides the power and throne for the beast in chapter 13.
Revelation 17
Chapter 17 provides additional symbolic detail regarding the seven heads and ten horns of the beast.
Daniel 7
The imagery of the four beasts in Daniel's vision closely aligns with the composite description of the beast from the sea.
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