King James Version

What Does Revelation 13:12 Mean?

Revelation 13:12 in the King James Version says “And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to wor... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

Revelation 13:12 · KJV


Context

10

He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

11

And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

12

And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.

13

And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14

And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The second beast exercises the first beast's authority, promoting emperor worship. This represents false religious systems supporting tyrannical political power. The phrase 'causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship' shows how religious deception serves state idolatry. Reformed theology recognizes the danger when church and state merge in promoting false worship. The healing of the deadly wound (v. 3) that amazes the world demonstrates how Satan counterfeits Christ's resurrection to deceive. All authority ultimately derives from God, but here is usurped for Satanic purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The imperial cult in Asia Minor required emperor worship, enforced by local priests and officials. The 'second beast' (false prophet, 16:13) represents religious authorities promoting state idolatry. Economic and social pressure compelled participation. This vision warned Christians that religious systems endorsing state worship are Satanic, regardless of apparent legitimacy or tradition.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you discern when religious authorities promote worship of earthly powers rather than Christ alone?
  2. What modern systems combine political authority with religious endorsement to pressure conformity to ungodly standards?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 32 words
καὶ1 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν2 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐξουσίαν3 of 32

the power

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

τοῦ4 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρῶτον5 of 32

of the first

G4413

foremost (in time, place, order or importance)

θηρίον6 of 32

beast

G2342

a dangerous animal

πᾶσαν7 of 32

all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ποιεῖ8 of 32

causeth

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

ἐνώπιον9 of 32

before

G1799

in the face of (literally or figuratively)

αὐτοῦ10 of 32

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

καὶ11 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ποιεῖ12 of 32

causeth

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τὴν13 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

γῆν14 of 32

the earth

G1093

soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)

καὶ15 of 32

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοὺς16 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κατοικοῦντας17 of 32

them which dwell

G2730

to house permanently, i.e., reside (literally or figuratively)

ἐν18 of 32

therein

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτοῦ19 of 32

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ἵνα20 of 32

to

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

προσκυνήσωσιν21 of 32

worship

G4352

to fawn or crouch to, i.e., (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore)

τὸ22 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θηρίον23 of 32

beast

G2342

a dangerous animal

τὸ24 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρῶτον25 of 32

of the first

G4413

foremost (in time, place, order or importance)

οὗ26 of 32

whose

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

ἐθεραπεύθη27 of 32

was healed

G2323

to wait upon menially, i.e., (figuratively) to adore (god), or (specially) to relieve (of disease)

28 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πληγὴ29 of 32

wound

G4127

a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity

τοῦ30 of 32
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θανάτου31 of 32

deadly

G2288

(properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively)

αὐτοῦ32 of 32

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Revelation. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Revelation 13:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Revelation 13:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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