Revelation 2:20

KJV

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

KJV (with Strong's)

Notwithstanding {G235} I have {G2192} a few things {G3641} against {G2596} thee {G4675}, because {G3754} thou sufferest {G1439} that woman {G1135} Jezebel {G2403}, which {G3588} calleth {G3004} herself {G1438} a prophetess {G4398}, to teach {G1321} and {G2532} to seduce {G4105} my {G1699} servants {G1401} to commit fornication {G4203}, and {G2532} to eat {G5315} things sacrificed unto idols {G1494}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I have this against you: you continue to tolerate that Izevel woman, the one who claims to be a prophet, but is teaching and deceiving my servants to commit sexual sin and eat food that has been sacrificed to idols.

Berean Standard Bible

But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

American Standard Version

But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Revelation 2:20, Jesus Christ delivers a sharp rebuke to the church in Thyatira for its dangerous tolerance of a woman, symbolically named "Jezebel," who falsely claims prophetic authority. This individual actively teaches and seduces Christ's servants into spiritual and moral compromise, specifically leading them to commit fornication and consume food sacrificed to idols. This verse underscores the Lord's unwavering demand for purity, discernment, and exclusive devotion from His people, highlighting the severe consequences of permitting false doctrine and immorality to fester within the Christian community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 2:20 is part of the specific message to the church in Thyatira, one of the [seven churches of Asia](/revelation/1-11 "Revelation 1:11 - The Seven Churches of Asia"). Each letter in [Revelation 2-3](/revelation/2 "Revelation 2 - Messages to the Churches") follows a similar pattern: an address from Christ, a description of His attributes relevant to the church's situation, commendation for their strengths (if any), a rebuke for their failings, a call to repentance, and a promise to those who overcome. The Thyatiran church is commended for its love, faith, service, and perseverance, noting that their latter works are greater than the first. However, this commendation is immediately overshadowed by the severe criticism in verse 20, indicating that spiritual activity and growth do not excuse the toleration of sin or false teaching. The rebuke here sets the stage for the warnings of judgment in [Revelation 2:21-23](/revelation/2-21-23 "Revelation 2:21-23 - Warning and Judgment for Jezebel and Her Followers").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Thyatira was a prosperous commercial city, renowned for its trade guilds (e.g., dyers, wool workers, leather workers, bronze smiths). Membership in these guilds was often crucial for economic survival and social standing. However, guild activities frequently involved participation in pagan feasts, which included eating meat sacrificed to idols and engaging in immoral practices, often linked to cultic prostitution. Christians in Thyatira faced immense pressure to conform to these societal norms. The "Jezebel" figure likely represents a real person or a faction within the church that advocated for compromise with these pagan practices, perhaps arguing that such participation was harmless or even necessary for evangelistic outreach. This context highlights the tension between maintaining Christian purity and navigating a deeply pagan society, a challenge faced by believers in many historical periods.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Revelation and the broader New Testament. Firstly, it emphasizes the critical importance of **doctrinal purity** and the danger of tolerating false teaching, which can corrupt the entire body of believers. The self-proclaimed prophetess "Jezebel" represents a deceptive influence that undermines the truth of the gospel. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **moral integrity** and the call to holiness. The specific charges of "fornication" and eating "things sacrificed unto idols" point to both literal sexual immorality and spiritual idolatry, which often went hand-in-hand in pagan worship. Christ demands exclusive devotion, echoing the Old Testament's condemnation of Israel's spiritual adultery (e.g., [Jeremiah 3:8](/jeremiah/3-8 "Jeremiah 3:8 - Israel's Spiritual Unfaithfulness")). Lastly, the passage underscores **Christ's discerning authority and imminent judgment**. As the one with "eyes like a flame of fire" ([Revelation 2:18](/revelation/2-18 "Revelation 2:18 - Christ's Discerning Eyes")), Jesus sees and knows the hidden works and intentions, and He will not tolerate those who lead His servants astray, as further detailed in [Revelation 2:23](/revelation/2-23 "Revelation 2:23 - Christ's Judgment on the Churches")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jezebel (Greek, _Iezabḗl'_):** From Hebrew origin, this name is used here not necessarily for a literal individual from the Old Testament, but as a symbolic epithet for a woman in Thyatira. The original Jezebel (wife of King Ahab, [1 Kings 16:31](/1_kings/16-31 "1 Kings 16:31 - Ahab Marries Jezebel")) was infamous for promoting Baal worship and persecuting God's prophets in Israel. In Revelation 2:20, the name signifies a person (or perhaps a group or spirit) whose influence mirrors the Old Testament Jezebel's destructive character: promoting idolatry, immorality, and leading God's people astray from true worship and obedience.
* **sufferest (Greek, _eáō'_):** This word means "to let be, i.e., permit or leave alone." The verb is in the present tense, indicating an ongoing allowance or toleration. The Lord's rebuke is not merely that this woman is present, but that the church actively "suffers" or permits her to continue her destructive activities without intervention or discipline. This implies a passive acceptance or a lack of courage to confront and remove the harmful influence.
* **to seduce (Greek, _planáō'_):** Meaning "to cause to roam (from safety, truth, or virtue); to go astray, deceive, err, wander." This term highlights the deceptive and misleading nature of Jezebel's teaching. She is not merely presenting an alternative viewpoint but actively luring believers away from the path of truth and righteousness, leading them into spiritual and moral error. The result is a deviation from Christ's standards.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee":** This phrase immediately follows commendation for the Thyatiran church's good deeds. It signals a crucial pivot, indicating that despite their positive attributes, there are significant, unacceptable issues that Christ finds fault with. The "few things" are weighty enough to warrant a severe warning.
* **"because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel":** The core accusation is the church's passive tolerance. They are not actively promoting the false teaching, but their failure to confront or remove the source of corruption is a grave sin in Christ's eyes. The symbolic name "Jezebel" immediately evokes a sense of deep spiritual danger, linking her to Old Testament idolatry and immorality.
* **"which calleth herself a prophetess":** This clause reveals the nature of her influence: she claims divine inspiration and authority. Her self-proclaimed prophetic status lends credibility to her teachings, making her seduction more potent and dangerous, as it appears to come from a spiritual source.
* **"to teach and to seduce my servants":** Her activities involve both instruction ("teach") and deception ("seduce"). She is actively disseminating her false doctrines and luring believers away from the truth. The phrase "my servants" emphasizes the gravity of her actions, as she is corrupting those who belong to Christ.
* **"to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols":** These are the specific, concrete outcomes of her teaching and seduction. "Fornication" (Greek: _porneia_) can refer to literal sexual immorality, but in the context of idolatry, it often signifies spiritual unfaithfulness or idolatry itself, where devotion is given to anything other than God. Eating "things sacrificed unto idols" was a direct violation of early Christian principles regarding pagan worship and spiritual purity, often involving participation in pagan feasts linked to immoral acts.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs significant **Symbolism** through the figure of "Jezebel." This name is not likely a literal individual but a symbolic representation of a powerful, deceptive, and corrupting influence within the Thyatiran church. By invoking the notorious Old Testament Queen Jezebel, the text immediately conveys a sense of rebellion against God, promotion of idolatry, and moral depravity. This **Allusion** to the Old Testament narrative ([1 Kings 16-21](/1_kings/16-31 "1 Kings 16:31 - Ahab Marries Jezebel")) enriches the meaning, suggesting a parallel between ancient Israel's spiritual compromise and the Thyatiran church's current struggles. The actions described—"teach and to seduce," "commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols"—are presented as direct consequences of this symbolic Jezebel's influence, highlighting the **Cause and Effect** relationship between tolerating error and experiencing spiritual and moral decay. The contrast between the church's commendable works and its toleration of Jezebel creates a powerful **Irony**, emphasizing that outward religiosity does not compensate for inward corruption.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 2:20 profoundly underscores the New Testament's consistent call for the church to maintain purity in both doctrine and practice. Christ's condemnation of Thyatira's tolerance for "Jezebel" reveals that spiritual vitality and good works cannot offset the corrosive effects of false teaching and moral compromise. This passage serves as a timeless warning against syncretism, where elements of paganism or worldly values are blended with Christian faith. It emphasizes that the church's primary allegiance must be exclusively to Christ, rejecting any teaching or practice that leads His servants away from holiness and truth. The Lord's discerning eyes see not only outward actions but also the hidden influences that corrupt the heart of the community.

* [2 Corinthians 6:14-18](/2_corinthians/6-14-18 "2 Corinthians 6:14-18 - Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")
* [1 John 4:1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits")
* [Galatians 1:6-9](/galatians/1-6-9 "Galatians 1:6-9 - Warning Against False Gospel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 2:20 serves as a potent reminder for contemporary churches and individual believers about the enduring necessity of vigilance and discernment. In an age saturated with diverse spiritual claims and cultural pressures, the temptation to tolerate or even embrace teachings that subtly deviate from biblical truth remains ever-present. This passage challenges us to critically evaluate all influences within our spiritual communities, asking whether they genuinely lead us closer to Christ's holiness or subtly draw us into compromise. It calls for courageous leadership and faithful discipleship that prioritizes doctrinal integrity and moral purity above popularity, comfort, or worldly acceptance. True love for Christ and His church demands that we actively guard against any "Jezebel" spirit that seeks to seduce believers into spiritual adultery or idolatry, ensuring that our devotion remains unreservedly focused on Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jezebel" influences might be present in my own life or in my church community that are leading to spiritual or moral compromise?**
* **How can I cultivate greater discernment to recognize false teachings, even when they are presented by those who claim spiritual authority?**
* **In what areas am I, or is my church, tolerating sin or unbiblical practices out of fear of conflict, desire for acceptance, or simple apathy?**
* **What practical steps can I take to uphold biblical truth and moral purity, both personally and within my sphere of influence?**

### FAQ

**What does "Jezebel" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: In Revelation 2:20, "Jezebel" is widely understood to be a symbolic name, rather than a literal individual from the Old Testament. She symbolizes a powerful, deceptive, and corrupting influence within the Thyatiran church. This figure likely represents a real person or a faction that was promoting false teaching and immoral practices, mirroring the actions and spirit of the historical Queen Jezebel of Israel. The original Jezebel was infamous for promoting Baal worship and persecuting God's prophets ([1 Kings 16:31](/1_kings/16-31 "1 Kings 16:31 - Ahab Marries Jezebel")), leading Israel into idolatry and moral decay. Thus, in Revelation, "Jezebel" represents anyone who, claiming spiritual authority (as a "prophetess"), leads God's people into spiritual unfaithfulness (fornication) and idolatry (eating things sacrificed to idols), compromising their devotion to Christ.

**Why is "fornication" and "eating things sacrificed unto idols" specifically mentioned?**

Answer: These two practices were deeply intertwined in the pagan culture of Thyatira and were common temptations for early Christians. "Fornication" (Greek: _porneia_) often refers to literal sexual immorality, which was frequently associated with pagan temple worship and cultic prostitution. However, in a broader biblical sense, _porneia_ also symbolizes spiritual unfaithfulness or idolatry—turning away from exclusive devotion to God to pursue other gods or worldly allegiances. "Eating things sacrificed unto idols" refers to participating in pagan feasts, which were often held in temples or guild halls. Such participation was problematic because it could imply endorsement of pagan deities, violate the conscience of weaker believers, or directly involve immoral acts. For the Thyatiran church, these were not just isolated sins but symptomatic of a deeper compromise with the surrounding pagan culture, allowing worldly practices to infiltrate and corrupt the purity of Christian worship and life. Christ's condemnation highlights His demand for absolute loyalty and holiness from His followers, rejecting any form of syncretism or spiritual compromise.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 2:20, while a stern warning to a specific church, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "Jezebel" figure represents the ongoing spiritual battle against false teaching and moral corruption that seeks to defile God's people. Christ, as the "faithful and true witness" ([Revelation 3:14](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness")), is the supreme Prophet who truly speaks God's word, in stark contrast to the self-proclaimed prophetess. He is the one who "loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word" ([Ephesians 5:25-26](/ephesians/5-25-26 "Ephesians 5:25-26 - Christ's Love for the Church")), demonstrating His unwavering commitment to her purity. The "fornication" and "eating things sacrificed unto idols" are manifestations of humanity's innate tendency towards idolatry and rebellion against God, a condition from which Christ came to deliver us. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offering forgiveness and cleansing from all unrighteousness. Furthermore, Christ's promise to "give to each person according to what they have done" ([Revelation 2:23](/revelation/2-23 "Revelation 2:23 - Christ's Judgment")) underscores His role as the righteous Judge, who will ultimately purge His church of all defilement and establish His kingdom in perfect holiness. Thus, the warning to Thyatira serves to highlight the necessity of clinging to Christ, the source of all truth and purity, and relying on His power to overcome the seductive influences of the world and false doctrine, ensuring that His bride remains spotless, ready for His return ([Revelation 19:7-8](/revelation/19-7-8 "Revelation 19:7-8 - The Wedding Supper of the Lamb")).

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

1 Kings 16:31

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

Revelation 2:14

But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

1 Corinthians 10:18

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

1 Corinthians 10:21

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Acts 15:29

That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

2 Kings 9:7

And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel.

Acts 15:20

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and [from] fornication, and [from] things strangled, and [from] blood.