Revelation 20:13

And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

And {G2532} the sea {G2281} gave up {G1325} the dead {G3498} which {G3588} were in {G1722} it {G846}; and {G2532} death {G2288} and {G2532} hell {G86} delivered up {G1325} the dead {G3498} which {G3588} were in {G1722} them {G846}: and {G2532} they were judged {G2919} every man {G1538} according to {G2596} their {G846} works {G2041}.

The sea gave up the dead in it; and Death and Sh’ol gave up the dead in them; and they were judged, each according to what he had done.

The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.

And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

Revelation 20:13 (KJV) describes a pivotal moment in biblical prophecy: the universal resurrection of the dead for the final judgment. This verse is part of the broader narrative surrounding the Great White Throne Judgment, where all who are not found in the Book of Life are judged before eternity.

Context

This verse immediately precedes the casting of Death and Hell into the Lake of Fire, signifying the ultimate end of all opposition to God. It follows the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth (the Millennium) and the final rebellion of Satan. Revelation 20:13 specifically details the resurrection of all the unrighteous dead from every conceivable place—from the depths of the sea to the spiritual realm of the departed—ensuring no one escapes this ultimate reckoning.

Key Themes

  • Universal Resurrection: The powerful imagery of "the sea gave up the dead" and "death and hell delivered up the dead" conveys that no grave, no watery tomb, no spiritual realm can hold back those appointed for this judgment. It underscores God's absolute power over life and death, and the certainty that all will stand before Him.
  • Divine Accountability: Every individual, regardless of their earthly status or circumstances, will stand before God. The judgment is meticulous and just, based on "their works." This highlights a fundamental principle of divine justice: actions have eternal consequences.
  • Finality of Judgment: This scene marks the definitive separation of the righteous from the unrighteous, leading to eternal destinies. It's a solemn reminder of the irreversible nature of God's final decrees for humanity.

Linguistic Insights

The term "hell" in this verse translates the Greek word Hades. In biblical understanding, Hades refers to the realm of the dead, a temporary holding place for departed spirits, distinct from Gehenna, which is the eternal "lake of fire" mentioned later in Revelation 20:14-15. So, Hades is here seen as surrendering its inhabitants for judgment.

The phrase "judged every man according to their works" is crucial. For the unrighteous, judgment is indeed based on their deeds, revealing their rejection of God and His ways. This stands in contrast to the salvation offered through faith in Jesus Christ, where believers are judged according to Christ's righteousness, not their own works (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

Practical Application

Revelation 20:13 serves as a profound reminder of the certainty of God's judgment and the ultimate accountability of all humanity. It calls everyone to serious reflection:

  • Urgency of Faith: For those who have not yet placed their faith in Christ, this verse underscores the urgency of seeking salvation. Avoiding this judgment is possible only through accepting God's grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ.
  • Impact of Actions: While believers are saved by grace, this verse highlights that all lives are observed and recorded. It encourages believers to live lives that honor God, knowing that while their salvation is secure, their works will be evaluated (though at a different judgment, the Bema Seat).
  • God's Justice: It affirms God's perfect justice, ensuring that all wrongs will eventually be made right and that no one will escape the divine reckoning. This offers comfort to those who suffer injustice in this life, knowing that ultimate justice will prevail.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 5:28

    Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

  • John 5:29

    And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

  • Revelation 6:8

    And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

  • Hosea 13:14

    I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:50

    Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:58

    ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

  • Revelation 20:14

    And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back