Revelation 13:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Complete Jewish Bible:

One of the heads of the beast appeared to have received a fatal wound, but its fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth followed after the beast in amazement.

Berean Standard Bible:

One of the heads of the beast appeared to be mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast.

American Standard Version:

And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} I saw^{G1492} one^{G3391} of his^{G846} heads^{G2776} as it were^{G5613} wounded^{G4969} to^{G1519} death^{G2288}; and^{G2532} his^{G846} deadly^{G2288} wound^{G4127} was healed^{G2323}: and^{G2532} all^{G3650} the world^{G1093} wondered^{{G2296}{G2296}} after^{{G3694}{G1722}} the beast^{G2342}.

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Commentary for Revelation 13:3

Revelation 13:3 is part of the New Testament's Book of Revelation, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. This book is apocalyptic literature, characterized by symbolic language, vivid imagery, and the revelation of divine mysteries concerning the end times and the ultimate triumph of God. The verse in question describes one of the seven heads of a monstrous beast, which appears to have received a fatal wound but is then healed. This miraculous recovery causes global astonishment and admiration, leading the inhabitants of the earth to follow the beast.

In the historical context, the Book of Revelation was likely written during a period of persecution for the early Christian church, possibly under the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian in the late first century. The imagery of the beast with multiple heads is often interpreted as representing a succession of earthly empires or political powers that persecute the faithful, with the heads drawing from the four beasts in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 7). The "wounded head" that is healed may symbolize a leader or empire that appeared to be defeated but somehow returned to power, an event that would have resonated with early Christians who may have witnessed the rise and fall of emperors and the cult of personality surrounding them.

Theologically, this verse has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history. Some see it as a prophecy about the revival of the Roman Empire or the rise of an antichrist figure who will deceive many and challenge the sovereignty of God before the final establishment of God's kingdom. The themes of deception, false worship, and the enduring struggle between good and evil are central to this passage, as the world's wonder and adulation for the beast contrast sharply with the fidelity expected of believers. The verse serves as a warning against being misled by earthly powers and a call to remain faithful to God, who holds ultimate authority over history and the cosmos.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. 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.
   
2. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3391
   There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: μία
   Transliteration: mía
   Pronunciation: mee'-ah
   Description: irregular feminine of εἷς; one or first:--a (certain), + agree, first, one, X other.
   
4. 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.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2776
   There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: κεφαλή
   Transliteration: kephalḗ
   Pronunciation: kef-al-ay'
   Description: from the primary (in the sense of seizing); the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively:--head.
   
6. Strong's Number: G5613
   There are 433 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὡς
   Transliteration: hōs
   Pronunciation: hoce
   Description: probably adverb of comparative from ὅς; which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows):--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.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4969
   There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σφάζω
   Transliteration: spházō
   Pronunciation: sfad'-zo
   Description: a primary verb; to butcher (especially an animal for food or in sacrifice) or (generally) to slaughter, or (specially), to maim (violently):--kill, slay, wound.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
9. Strong's Number: G2288
   There are 106 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θάνατος
   Transliteration: thánatos
   Pronunciation: than'-at-os
   Description: from θνήσκω; (properly, an adjective used as a noun) death (literally or figuratively):--X deadly, (be…) death.
   
10. Strong's Number: G4127
    There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: πληγή
    Transliteration: plēgḗ
    Pronunciation: play-gay'
    Description: from πλήσσω; a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity:--plague, stripe, wound(-ed).
    
11. Strong's Number: G2323
    There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεραπεύω
    Transliteration: therapeúō
    Pronunciation: ther-ap-yoo'-o
    Description: from the same as θεράπων; to wait upon menially, i.e. (figuratively) to adore (God), or (specially) to relieve (of disease):--cure, heal, worship.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3650
    There are 99 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅλος
    Transliteration: hólos
    Pronunciation: hol'-os
    Description: a primary word; "whole" or "all", i.e. complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb:--all, altogether, every whit, + throughout, whole.
    
13. Strong's Number: G1093
    There are 226 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γῆ
    Transliteration: gē
    Pronunciation: ghay
    Description: 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):--country, earth(-ly), ground, land, world.
    
14. Strong's Number: G2296
    There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θαυμάζω
    Transliteration: thaumázō
    Pronunciation: thou-mad'-zo
    Description: from θαῦμα; to wonder; by implication, to admire:--admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder.
    
15. Strong's Number: G3694
    There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὀπίσω
    Transliteration: opísō
    Pronunciation: op-is'-o
    Description: from the same as ὄπισθεν with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. aback (as adverb or preposition of time or place; or as noun):--after, back(-ward), (+ get) behind, + follow.
    
16. Strong's Number: G1722
    There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἐν
    Transliteration: en
    Pronunciation: en
    Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
    
17. 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.