King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Complete Jewish Bible:
preventing anyone from buying or selling unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Berean Standard Bible:
so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name.
American Standard Version:
and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And{G2532} that no{G3363} man{G5100} might{G1410} buy{G59} or{G2228} sell{G4453}, save he{G1508} that had{G2192} the mark{G5480}, or{G2228} the name{G3686} of the beast{G2342}, or{G2228} the number{G706} of his{G846} name{G3686}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Revelation 13:16
- And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
Revelation 14:11
- And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Revelation 15:2
- And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
Revelation 14:9
- And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Revelation 13:18
- Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
Revelation 22:4
- And they shall see his face; and his name [shall be] in their foreheads.
Revelation 3:12
- Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
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Commentary for Revelation 13:17
Revelation 13:17 is a verse from the New Testament's Book of Revelation, attributed to John the Apostle. This book is apocalyptic literature, characterized by vivid symbolism and visions of the end times. The verse is part of a larger passage describing a terrifying beast that rises to power, symbolizing oppressive political and religious systems that persecute believers. In the historical context, the early Christian audience would have understood the imagery as a coded reference to the Roman Empire and its emperor worship, which demanded loyalty and commercial participation under threat of exclusion and persecution.
The specific text of Revelation 13:17 speaks to the economic control exerted by this beastly power. It declares that in the future, people will be unable to engage in the basic commerce of buying and selling unless they bear the mark of the beast, carry his name, or have the number representing his name. This control over economic life represents totalitarian power, forcing allegiance and compliance. The "mark of the beast" has been a subject of much speculation and interpretation throughout Christian history, with some seeing it as a literal mark and others as a metaphor for allegiance to oppressive systems.
The themes of the verse include the struggle between good and evil, the dangers of absolute power, and the importance of spiritual discernment and faithfulness in the face of persecution. It serves as a warning to the faithful to remain vigilant and to avoid compromise with evil, regardless of the social and economic pressures to conform. The historical context of persecution and the necessity of resisting imperial pressures to participate in idolatry would have resonated deeply with the original audience, and the verse continues to challenge readers to consider the moral and spiritual implications of their choices in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: 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:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet. - Strong's Number: G3363
There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἵνα μή
Transliteration: hína mḗ
Pronunciation: hin'-ah may
Description: i.e. ἵνα and μή; in order (or so) that not:--albeit not, lest, that, no(-t, (-thing)). - Strong's Number: G5100
There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τὶς
Transliteration: tìs
Pronunciation: tis
Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever). - Strong's Number: G1410
There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δύναμαι
Transliteration: dýnamai
Pronunciation: doo'-nam-ahee
Description: of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power. - Strong's Number: G59
There are 199 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀγοράζω
Transliteration: agorázō
Pronunciation: ag-or-ad'-zo
Description: from ἀγορά; properly, to go to market, i.e. (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem:--buy, redeem. - Strong's Number: G2228
There are 283 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἤ
Transliteration: ḗ
Pronunciation: ay
Description: a primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than:--and, but (either), (n-)either, except it be, (n-)or (else), rather, save, than, that, what, yea. Often used in connection with other particles. Compare especially ἤδη, ἤπερ, ἤτοι. - Strong's Number: G4453
There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πωλέω
Transliteration: pōléō
Pronunciation: po-leh'-o
Description: probably ultimately from (to be busy, to trade); to barter (as a pedlar), i.e. to sell:--sell, whatever is sold. - Strong's Number: G1508
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰ μή
Transliteration: ei mḗ
Pronunciation: i may
Description: from εἰ and μή; if not:--but, except (that), if not, more than, save (only) that, saving, till. - Strong's Number: G2192
There are 628 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔχω
Transliteration: échō
Pronunciation: skheh'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition):--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. - Strong's Number: G5480
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χάραγμα
Transliteration: cháragma
Pronunciation: khar'-ag-mah
Description: from the same as χάραξ; a scratch or etching, i.e. stamp (as a badge of servitude), or scupltured figure (statue):--graven, mark. - Strong's Number: G3686
There are 214 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὄνομα
Transliteration: ónoma
Pronunciation: on'-om-ah
Description: from a presumed derivative of the base of γινώσκω (compare ὀνίνημι); a "name" (literally or figuratively) (authority, character):--called, (+ sur-)name(-d). - Strong's Number: G2342
There are 38 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θηρίον
Transliteration: thēríon
Pronunciation: thay-ree'-on
Description: diminutive from the same as θήρα; a dangerous animal:--(venomous, wild) beast. - Strong's Number: G706
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀριθμός
Transliteration: arithmós
Pronunciation: ar-ith-mos'
Description: from αἴρω; a number (as reckoned up):--number. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.