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Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Revelation 13:11-18

Revelation 13:11-18. I beheld another beast, &c.— From the description of the ten horned beast, or Roman state in general, the prophet passes to that of the two horned beast, or Roman church in particular. The beast with ten crowned horns, is the Roman empire, as divided into ten kingdoms; the beast with two horns like a lamb, is the Roman hierarchy, or body of the clergy regular and secular. This beast is called the false prophet, Revelation 19:0 than which there cannot be a stronger or... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 13:14

14. deceiveth them that dwell on the earth—the earthly-minded, but not the elect. Even a miracle is not enough to warrant belief in a professed revelation unless that revelation be in harmony with God's already revealed will. by the means of those miracles—rather as Greek, "on account of (because of; in consequence of) those miracles." which he had power to do—Greek, "which were given him to do." in the sight of the beast—"before him" ( :-). which—A, B, and C read, "who"; marking, perhaps, a... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Revelation 13:15

15. he had power—Greek, "it was given to him." to give life—Greek, "breath," or "spirit." image—Nebuchadnezzar set up in Dura a golden image to be worshipped, probably of himself; for his dream had been interpreted, "Thou art this head of gold"; the three Hebrews who refused to worship the image were east into a burning furnace. All this typifies the last apostasy. PLINY, in his letter to Trajan, states that he consigned to punishment those Christians who would not worship the emperor's image... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 13:11-18

The beast out of the earth 13:11-18Most interpreters who see the first beast as an individual also see the second beast as one. Others who see the first beast as a power or movement tend to view the second beast similarly. [Note: E.g., ibid., p. 172.] Many of the Reformers identified the second beast as the papacy or as specific popes. Many modern interpreters view the first beast as the personification of secular power in opposition to the church and the second beast as the personification of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 13:14

This power will make many earth-dwellers erroneously conclude that his authority is supreme. He will be able to produce some type of convincing likeness of Antichrist (cf. Revelation 13:15; Revelation 14:9; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 15:2; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4), perhaps a statue (cf. Daniel 3:4-6) or even an android (cf. Revelation 13:15). The false prophet will be the beast’s "Minister of Propaganda." [Note: Bruce, p. 653.] The description of the first beast as... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 13:15

This verse may mean that the second beast will give life (Gr. pneuma, breath) to an inanimate object or that he will only appear to do so. In either case he will deceive many people (Revelation 13:14)."Belief in statues which spoke and performed miracles is widely attested in ancient literature." [Note: Mounce, p. 261. Cf. Charles, 1:361, and Beale, p. 711, for additional sources.] The image will speak and will put to death those who do not worship the beast (cf. Daniel 3:11), possibly by... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 13:1-18

The Two BeastsPersonification of the two powers inspired by the devil to persecute the Church.1-10. The dragon stands by the sea (i.e. the Ægean Sea), from which there rises to meet him a ’beast,’ i.e. something inhuman: signifying the Roman empire, which came to the Province of Asia, in which were the Churches addressed in Rev., from the sea. The beast has ten horns and seven heads: cp. Daniel 7. On the horns are diadems and on the heads ’names of blasphemy,’ i.e. blasphemous titles: cp.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 13:14

(14) And deceiveth them . . .—Better, And he leads astray those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which were given him to do in the presence of the wild beast; saying to those who dwell on the earth, to make an image to the wild beast that has the stroke of the sword and lived. He leads astray: this is the key to his success, he deifies the spirit of worldliness; but he does it by deception and subtlety: there is an appearance of wonderful power: he can work lying wonders. When men... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 13:15

(15) And he had power . . .—Better, And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the wild beast, that the image of the wild beast should both speak, and cause that as many as do not worship the image of the wild beast shall be slain. The image to the wild beast is an image also of the wild beast: and the image of the monster is endued with apparent vitality. Wisdom can give a semblance of life to the most doomed cause; and the bulk of mankind read only with their eyes, and not at all... read more

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