And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
And {G2532} deceiveth {G4105} them that dwell {G2730} on {G1909} the earth {G1093} by {G1223} the means of those miracles {G4592} which {G3739} he {G846} had power {G1325} to do {G4160} in the sight {G1799} of the beast {G2342}; saying {G3004} to them that dwell {G2730} on {G1909} the earth {G1093}, that they should make {G4160} an image {G1504} to the beast {G2342}, which {G3739} had {G2192} the wound {G4127} by a sword {G3162}, and {G2532} did live {G2198}.
It deceives the people living on earth by the miracles it is allowed to perform in the presence of the beast, and it tells them to make an image honoring the beast that was struck by the sword but came alive again.
Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.
And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived.
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Revelation 19:20
And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. -
Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. -
Revelation 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. -
Revelation 20:3
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. -
Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. -
Revelation 13:15
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. -
Revelation 13:11
¶ 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.
Revelation 13:14 (KJV) describes the deceptive power of the second beast, often identified as the false prophet, in the end times. This entity uses miraculous signs to mislead humanity, compelling them to create an image for the first beast, the Antichrist, who had seemingly recovered from a fatal wound.
Context
This verse is central to understanding the role of the second beast (the "beast from the earth") within the apocalyptic narrative of Revelation chapter 13. Following the introduction of the first beast, which embodies immense political and spiritual authority, the second beast emerges, operating with all the power of the first beast in its presence (Revelation 13:12). Its primary function is to direct the worship of all "them that dwell on the earth" towards the first beast, leveraging supernatural signs and wonders to achieve this.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The Greek word for "deceiveth" is planao (πλανάω), meaning to lead astray, to cause to wander, or to err. It implies a deliberate and effective misleading that results in people abandoning the true path for a false one. The "miracles" (Greek: semeia, σημεῖα) are literally "signs," but in this context, they are deceptive signs, designed to validate the false authority of the beast.
Practical Application
Revelation 13:14 serves as a crucial warning for all generations. It underscores the importance of spiritual discernment (1 John 4:1), reminding believers not to be swayed by impressive signs or charismatic leaders alone, but to test everything against the truth of God's Word. In an age of increasing spiritual counterfeits and misinformation, remaining grounded in biblical truth is paramount to avoid being led astray by deceptive influences that seek to divert worship from the Creator to created beings or systems.