REV 13

Revelation 13:11

WEB

I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon.

BSB

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.

KJV

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.

Matthew Henry

Verses 11–18

Revelation 13:11–18

Those who think the first beast signifies Rome pagan by this second beast would understand Rome papal, which promotes idolatry and tyranny, but in a more soft and lamb-like manner: those that understand the first beast of the secular power of the papacy take the second to intend its spiritual and ecclesiastical powers, which act under the disguise of religion and charity to the souls of men. Here observe,

I. The form and shape of this second beast: He had two horns like a lamb, but a mouth that spoke like the dragon. All agree that this must be some great impostor, who, under a pretence of religion, shall deceive the souls of men. The papists would have it to be Apollonius Tyranaeus; but Dr. More has rejected that opinion, and fixes it upon the ecclesiastical powers of the papacy. The pope shows the horns of a lamb, pretends to be the vicar of Christ upon earth, and so to be vested with his power and authority; but his speech betrays him, for he gives forth those false doctrines and cruel decrees which show him to belong to the dragon, and not to the Lamb.

II. The power which he exercises: All the power of the former beast (Rev 13:12); he promotes the same interest, pursues the same design in substance, which is, to draw men off from worshipping the true God to worshipping those who by nature are no gods, and subject the souls and consciences of men to the will and authority of men, in opposition to the will of God. This design is promoted by the popery as well as by paganism, and by the crafty arts of popery as well as by the secular arm, both serving the interests of the devil, though in a different manner.

III. The methods by which this second beast carried on his interests and designs; they are of three sorts: - 1. Lying wonders, pretended miracles, by which they should be deceived, and prevailed with to worship the former beast in this new image or shape that was now made for him; they would pretend to bring down fire from heaven, as Elias did, and God sometimes permits his enemies, as he did the magicians of Egypt, to do things that seem very wonderful, and by which unwary persons may be deluded. It is well known that the papal kingdom has been long supported by pretended miracles. 2. Excommunications, anathemas, severe censures, by which they pretend to cut men off from Christ, and cast them into the power of the devil, but do indeed deliver them over to the secular power, that they may be put to death; and thus, notwithstanding their vile hypocrisy, they are justly charged with killing those whom they cannot corrupt. 3. By disfranchisement, allowing none to enjoy natural, civil, or municipal rights, who will not worship that papal beast, that is, the image of the pagan beast. It is made a qualification for buying and selling the rights of nature, as well as for places of profit and trust, that they have the mark of the beast in their forehead and in their right hand, and that they have the name of the beast and the number of his name. It is probable that the mark, the name, and the number of the beast, may all signify the same thing - that they make an open profession of their subjection and obedience to the papacy, which is receiving the mark in their forehead, and that they oblige themselves to use all their interest, power, and endeavour, to promote the papal authority, which is receiving the mark in their right hands. We are told that pope Martin V. in his bull, added to the council of Constance, prohibits Roman catholics from suffering any heretics to dwell in their countries, or to make any bargains, use any trades, or bear any civil offices, which is a very clear interpretation of this prophecy.

IV. We have here the number of the beast, given in such a manner as shows the infinite wisdom of God, and will sufficiently exercise all the wisdom and accuracy of men: The number is the number of a man, computed after the usual manner among men, and it is 666. Whether this be the number of the errors and heresies that are contained in popery, or rather, as others, the number of the years from its rise to its fall, is not certain, much less what that period is which is described by these prophetic numbers. The most admired dissertation on this intricate subject is that of Dr. Potter, where the curious may find sufficient entertainment. It seems to me to be one of those seasons which God has reserved in his own power; only this we know, God has written Mene Tekel upon all his enemies; he has numbered their days, and they shall be finished, but his own kingdom shall endure for ever.

Cross-references: Rev 13:12

Greek interlinear

G2532

καίkaí/kahee/

and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet

Derivation: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force;

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

KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.

G3708

ὁράωhoráō/hor-ah'-o/

behold, perceive, see, take heed

Derivation: properly, to stare at (compare G3700), i.e. (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally);

by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear

KJV: behold, perceive, see, take heed.

See also: G3700.

G243

ἄλλοςállos/al'-los/

more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise)

Derivation: a primary word;

"else," i.e. different (in many applications)

KJV: more, one (another), (an-, some an-)other(-s, -wise).

G2342

θηρίονthēríon/thay-ree'-on/

(venomous, wild) beast

Derivation: diminutive from the same as G2339;

a dangerous animal

KJV: (venomous, wild) beast.

See also: G2339.

G305

ἀναβαίνωanabaínō/an-ab-ah'-ee-no/

arise, ascend (up), climb (go, grow, rise, spring) up, come (up)

Derivation: from G303 and the base of G939;

to go up (literally or figuratively)

KJV: arise, ascend (up), climb (go, grow, rise, spring) up, come (up).

See also: G303, G939.

G1537

ἐκek/ek/

after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out)

or ἐξ

Derivation: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause;

literal or figurative; direct or remote)

KJV: after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out).

Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

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

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G1093

γῆ/ghay/

country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world

Derivation: contracted from a primary word;

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

KJV: country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.

G2192

ἔχωéchō/ekh'-o/

be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use

, including an alternate form σχέω ; (used in certain tenses only)

Derivation: a primary verb;

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)

KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.

G2768

κέραςkéras/ker'-as/

horn

Derivation: from a primary κάρ (the hair of the head);

a horn (literally or figuratively)

KJV: horn.

G1417

δύοdýo/doo'-o/

both, twain, two

Derivation: a primary numeral;

"two"

KJV: both, twain, two.

G3664

ὅμοιοςhómoios/hom'-oy-os/

like, + manner

Derivation: from the base of G3674;

similar (in appearance or character)

KJV: like, + manner.

See also: G3674.

G721

ἀρνίονarníon/ar-nee'-on/

lamb

Derivation: diminutive from G704;

a lambkin

KJV: lamb.

See also: G704.

G2980

λαλέωlaléō/lal-eh'-o/

preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter

Derivation: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb;

to talk, i.e. utter words

KJV: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.

Compare G3004.

See also: G3004.

G5613

ὡςhōs/hoce/

about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed

Derivation: probably adverb of comparative from G3739;

which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)

KJV: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.

See also: G3739.

G1404

δράκωνdrákōn/drak'-own/

dragon

Derivation: probably from an alternate form of δέρκομαι (to look);

a fabulous kind of serpent (perhaps as supposed to fascinate)

KJV: dragon.

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