If any man have an ear, let him hear - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. The idea here is, that what was here said respecting the “beast” was worthy of special attention, as it pertained to most important events in the history of the church. read more
He that leadeth into captivity - This is clearly intended to refer to the power or government which is denoted by the beast. The form of expression here in the Greek is special - “If anyone leadeth into captivity,” etc. - Εἴ τις αἰχμαλωσίαν συνάγει Ei tis aichmalōsian sunagei. The statement is general, and is intended to make use of a general or prevalent truth with reference to this particular case. The general truth is, that people will, in the course of things, be dealt with according... read more
Revelation 13:1-4. And I stood upon the sand of the sea, &c. Here the beast is described at large, who was only mentioned before, Revelation 11:7; and a beast, in the prophetic style, is a tyrannical idolatrous empire. The kingdom of God and of Christ is never represented under the image of a beast. As Daniel ( Dan 7:2-3 ) beheld four great beasts, representing the four great empires, come up from a stormy sea, that is, from the commotions of the world; so St. John ( Rev... read more
Revelation 13:5-8. And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things This expression seems to be taken from the description of the little horn in Daniel’s vision, (Daniel 7:8,) and is explained, Revelation 13:11, by the voice of the great words which the horn spake. It must be observed, however, that it is of the secular empire that this is spoken, which empire is here considered as under the influence of the ecclesiastical power of Rome, and as being merely its agent, and... read more
Revelation 13:9-10. If any man have an ear, let him hear It was customary with our Saviour, when he would have his auditors to pay a particular attention to what he had been saying, to add, He who hath ears to hear, let him hear. St. John repeats the same admonition at the end of each of the seven epistles to the seven churches of Asia, and here in the conclusion of his description of the beast, If any man have an ear, let him hear: and certainly the description of the beast is... read more
Beast from the sea (13:1-10)Like the dragon of Chapter 12, the beast that arises out of the sea has seven heads and ten horns. If the dragon symbolizes Satan, the opponent of God in the spirit world, the beast out of the sea probably symbolizes the opponent of God in the world of humankind. As God took human form in Jesus Christ, so Satan takes human form in one called the antichrist (GNB: enemy of Christ), or man of lawlessness (GNB: wicked one). He combines cunning, strength, cruelty and... read more
unto = to. leopard. Greek. pardalis. Only here. In Septuagint it occurs Jeremiah 5:6 ; Jeremiah 13:23 .Hosea 13:7 . Habakkuk 1:8 . lion. See Daniel 7:4 , Daniel 7:5 , Daniel 7:6 , and esp. Revelation 13:7 and Note. dragon. See Revelation 12:3 . him. The being from the abyss (Revelation 17:8 ); the "another" power. App-172 .1; Rev 176:1 . Compare Daniel 8:24 . 2 Thessalonians 2:9 . seat = throne. authority. App-172 . Its source will not he recognized by the peoples at the outset. read more
I saw. Texts omit. one of = one wounded = slain. Same word in Revelation 6:6 . deadly wound = death-stroke. wound. Greek. plege. See Revelation 9:20 . healed. Greek. therapeuo. Only here, and Revelation 13:12 , in Rev. world. App-129 . after. Read, "(and followed) after". read more
worshipped. App-137 . which. The texts read "because he". power = the power. App-172 .; "authority" in Revelation 13:2 . who. The texts read "and who". make war. The same word in Revelation 17:14 . This being will stop wars and be acclaimed by the peoples on that account. read more
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Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him - That is, as immediately stated, all whose names are not in the book of life. On the word “worship,” see the notes on Revelation 13:4.Whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb - That is, of the Lord Jesus - the Lamb of God. See the notes on Philippians 4:3. Compare the notes on John 1:29. The representation here is, that the Lord Jesus keeps a book or register, in which are recorded the names of all who shall obtain... read more