Revelation 13:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 13:14 vividly portrays the deceptive power wielded by the second beast, often identified as the false prophet, during the end times. Through the performance of compelling, yet counterfeit, miracles in the presence of the first beast, this entity actively misleads humanity. Its ultimate aim is to persuade the global populace to construct an image in honor of the first beast, a figure characterized by a seemingly miraculous recovery from a fatal sword wound, thereby solidifying its claim to universal worship and authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the apocalyptic narrative of [Revelation chapter 13](/revelation/13 "Revelation 13 - The Two Beasts"). Following the introduction of the first beast, which embodies a global, blasphemous political and spiritual power, the second beast (the "beast from the earth") emerges. Its primary function, as described in [Revelation 13:12](/revelation/13-12 "Revelation 13:12 - The Second Beast's Authority"), is to exercise all the authority of the first beast and compel the "dwellers on the earth" to worship the first beast. Verse 14 details the specific method of this compulsion: deceptive signs and wonders that culminate in the command to create an image, setting the stage for the enforcement of the "mark of the beast" in subsequent verses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery in Revelation 13:14 resonates deeply with ancient imperial cults, particularly the Roman emperor worship prevalent during John's time. Emperors were deified, and their statues (images) were erected in temples and public squares, requiring citizens to offer worship as a sign of loyalty. The concept of a leader suffering a "deadly wound" and miraculously recovering may allude to historical events or myths, such as the "Nero Redivivus" (Nero resurrected) legend, which suggested the return of the emperor Nero after his death. This cultural backdrop helps explain why the command to "make an image to the beast" would be understood as a direct demand for idolatrous worship and allegiance, paralleling the demands of the Roman state.
* **Key Themes:** Central to [Revelation 13](/revelation/13 "Revelation 13 - The Beasts and Their Deception") and particularly this verse is the theme of **Deception by False Miracles**. The second beast's "miracles" are not divine but satanic counterfeits, designed to mislead and validate a false authority, echoing warnings found in [Matthew 24:24](/matthew/24-24 "Matthew 24:24 - False Christs and False Prophets") and [2 Thessalonians 2:9-10](/2_thessalonians/2-9-10 "2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 - The Lawless One's Deception"). This leads directly to the theme of **Enforced Worship and Idolatry**, as the ultimate goal is to compel humanity to worship the first beast, a direct affront to God's exclusive claim to worship as articulated in the Ten Commandments ([Exodus 20:4-5](/exodus/20-4-5 "Exodus 20:4-5 - The Command Against Idolatry")). Finally, the verse highlights the **Beast's Apparent Resurrection**, a satanic parody of Christ's resurrection, which serves as the primary justification for the beast's authority and the demand for its worship, as detailed earlier in [Revelation 13:3](/revelation/13-3 "Revelation 13:3 - The Beast's Deadly Wound Healed").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **deceiveth (Greek, _planáō'_):** This verb signifies to cause to wander, to lead astray, or to err. It implies a deliberate and effective misleading, resulting in people abandoning the true path of God for a false, destructive one. It speaks to the spiritual disorientation and error induced by the false prophet's actions.
* **miracles (Greek, _sēmeîon'_):** While generally meaning "signs" or "tokens," in this context, _sēmeîon_ refers specifically to supernatural demonstrations or wonders that serve to validate a claim. Here, these are not genuine divine works but deceptive signs, designed to authenticate the false authority of the beast and its prophet, thereby luring people into idolatry.
* **image (Greek, _eikṓn'_):** This term denotes a likeness, a representation, or a statue. In the ancient world, an _eikṓn_ often served as a focal point for worship, representing a deity or an emperor. The command to make an "image to the beast" is a direct call to idolatry, demanding a tangible object of worship that embodies the beast's power and presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth":** The second beast's primary activity is deception, targeting the global populace, particularly those who are not God's faithful people (often contrasted with "those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life" in Revelation). This deception is profound and effective, leading them away from truth.
* **"by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast":** The method of deception is through "miracles" or signs. The second beast is granted the "power" (G1325, _dídōmi_, to give/grant) to perform these wonders, emphasizing that its authority is derived from the first beast, and these acts are performed openly, validating the first beast's power.
* **"saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast":** The culmination of the deception is a specific command: to construct an "image" for the first beast. This is a direct call to idolatry, demanding a physical representation to be worshipped, symbolizing complete allegiance to the beast's dominion.
* **"which had the wound by a sword, and did live":** This clause provides the justification for the image and the worship. It refers to the first beast's apparent recovery from a fatal "wound by a sword" (G4127, _plēgḗ_, stroke/wound; G3162, _máchaira_, sword), and its subsequent ability to "live" (G2198, _záō_). This miraculous recovery is presented as proof of the first beast's extraordinary power, mimicking a resurrection and serving as the ultimate credential for its demanded worship.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 13:14 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "beast" representing a powerful, anti-God political and religious system, and the "image" symbolizing idolatry and enforced worship. The "wound by a sword" and subsequent "living" of the first beast is a clear example of **Counterfeit**, mimicking the death and resurrection of Christ to deceive. There is also a strong element of **Irony**, as the "miracles" performed are not true divine works but deceptive signs, highlighting the perversion of true spiritual power. The phrase "them that dwell on the earth" uses **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy** to refer to the ungodly inhabitants of the world, emphasizing the global reach and universal nature of the deception.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 13:14 serves as a profound theological warning against spiritual deception and the allure of false power. It underscores the biblical truth that outward displays of miraculous power do not inherently signify divine origin or truth. Instead, such phenomena can be instruments of profound spiritual error, designed to divert worship from the one true God to a created entity or system. The verse highlights the nature of spiritual warfare, where Satan, through his agents, seeks to mimic God's attributes and works to establish a counterfeit kingdom built on lies and enforced idolatry. This passage calls believers to a heightened sense of discernment, reminding them that true faith is grounded in the unchanging Word of God, not in sensational signs.

* [2 Thessalonians 2:9-10](/2_thessalonians/2-9-10 "2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 - The Lawless One's Deception")
* [Matthew 24:24](/matthew/24-24 "Matthew 24:24 - False Christs and False Prophets")
* [Deuteronomy 13:1-5](/deuteronomy/13-1-5 "Deuteronomy 13:1-5 - Testing False Prophets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 13:14 stands as a timeless warning, urging believers across generations to cultivate profound spiritual discernment. In an age saturated with information, misinformation, and diverse spiritual claims, the ability to "test the spirits" ([1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")) is more critical than ever. We must not be swayed by charismatic personalities, impressive displays of power, or popular consensus, but rather anchor our faith firmly in the unchanging truth of God's Word. This verse reminds us that deception often comes cloaked in the miraculous and the seemingly beneficial, making it imperative to assess all claims against biblical revelation. Our ultimate allegiance must be to Christ alone, resisting any system or ideology that demands worship or loyalty that rightfully belongs only to God. Remaining grounded in sound doctrine and cultivating a deep, personal relationship with the Lord are our strongest defenses against the subtle and overt deceptions of the enemy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we discern between genuine divine activity and deceptive "miracles" in our contemporary world?**
* **What modern "images" or systems might subtly or overtly demand our ultimate loyalty and worship, diverting it from God?**
* **How can we strengthen our spiritual discernment and commitment to biblical truth to resist pervasive deception?**

### FAQ
**Who is the "second beast" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "second beast," also referred to as the "beast from the earth" in [Revelation 13:11](/revelation/13-11 "Revelation 13:11 - The Beast from the Earth"), is widely understood as the False Prophet. Its primary role is to act as the religious enforcer and propagandist for the first beast (the Antichrist), using deceptive signs and wonders to compel humanity to worship the first beast and accept its authority.

**What is the significance of the first beast having "the wound by a sword, and did live"?**

Answer: This detail refers to the first beast's apparent recovery from a seemingly fatal injury ([Revelation 13:3](/revelation/13-3 "Revelation 13:3 - The Beast's Deadly Wound Healed")). This "resurrection" is a satanic counterfeit of Christ's genuine resurrection, designed to astound and deceive the world. It serves as the ultimate "miracle" that validates the first beast's authority and justifies the second beast's command to make an image for it, inspiring awe and worship from those who are deceived.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 13:14, with its depiction of a deceptive prophet and a counterfeit resurrection, ultimately points to the supreme truth and authenticity of Jesus Christ. While the false prophet performs "miracles" to lead people astray, Jesus performed genuine signs and wonders that authenticated His divine nature and pointed to the Father's glory ([John 10:38](/john/10-38 "John 10:38 - Believe the Works")). The second beast compels worship for a created entity, but Christ consistently directed all glory to God, declaring, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Jesus Reveals the Father")). The beast's "wound by a sword, and did live" is a pathetic imitation of Christ's true death and glorious resurrection, which genuinely conquered sin and death for all who believe ([Romans 6:9-10](/romans/6-9-10 "Romans 6:9-10 - Christ's Resurrection and New Life")). Furthermore, the command to make an "image to the beast" stands in stark contrast to Christ, who is the "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")), the perfect representation of divine truth and holiness. The deception in Revelation 13:14 underscores the critical need for believers to fix their gaze on Jesus, the "author and perfecter of our faith" ([Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Looking to Jesus")), whose truth alone provides the discernment needed to navigate the deceptions of the end times.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.