Revelation 20:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 20:13 vividly portrays the universal resurrection of all the unrighteous dead, summoned from every conceivable domain—the depths of the sea, the spiritual realm of death, and the underworld of Hades—to stand before the Great White Throne for final judgment. This pivotal scene underscores God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, life, and death, ensuring that every individual will be held accountable for their actions, leading to their eternal destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the climactic vision of the Great White Throne Judgment, described in [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11-15 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment"). It immediately follows the description of God's majestic throne and the opening of the books, including the Book of Life. The preceding verses in [Revelation 20:1-10](/revelation/20-1-10 "Revelation 20:1-10 - The Millennium and Satan's Final Defeat") detail the thousand-year reign of Christ (the Millennium) and the ultimate defeat of Satan, who is cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:13 specifically sets the stage for the judgment of those whose names are not found in the Book of Life, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of this final reckoning before Death and Hades themselves are cast into the lake of fire in [Revelation 20:14](/revelation/20-14 "Revelation 20:14 - Death and Hades Cast into the Lake of Fire").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman thought, the "sea" often symbolized chaos, mystery, and the unknown, a place from which things might emerge or disappear without trace. The idea of the dead being held by the sea, or by an underworld realm, was common across various cultures. For the biblical audience, the imagery of the sea giving up its dead would have evoked a powerful sense of God's absolute authority, extending even to those lost in the most inaccessible places. "Death" and "Hades" (the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Sheol) represented the universal dominion of mortality and the temporary abode of departed spirits. The concept of a final judgment, where deeds are weighed, was also prevalent in many ancient legal and religious systems, but here it is presented with a unique divine finality and universality.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 20:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Revelation and biblical theology. The theme of **Divine Sovereignty** is paramount, as God's power is demonstrated to extend even over death and the grave, ensuring that none can escape His ultimate judgment. This verse also highlights **Universal Accountability**, emphasizing that every human being will stand before God, and their eternal destiny will be determined "according to their works," as stated in [Revelation 20:12](/revelation/20-12 "Revelation 20:12 - Judgment According to Works"). Furthermore, the passage reinforces the **Finality of Judgment**, marking the definitive end of human rebellion and the complete separation of the unrighteous from God's presence, leading to their eternal condemnation, a stark contrast to the eternal life promised to those in the [Book of Life](/revelation/20-15 "The Book of Life").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **gave up (Greek, _dídōmi'_):** This verb, G1325, means "to give" or "to deliver up." In this context, it signifies a forceful, compelled surrender. The sea, death, and Hades are not willingly releasing their captives but are forced by divine decree to relinquish the dead within their grasp. This highlights God's irresistible power and authority over all realms, even those traditionally associated with finality and containment.
* **hell (Greek, _háidēs'_):** G86, "Hades," refers to the unseen realm of the dead, the temporary abode of departed souls. It is distinct from Gehenna, which is the eternal "lake of fire." The imagery of Hades delivering up its dead underscores that this is a resurrection of all who have died and are awaiting final judgment, not yet in their eternal state of punishment. It signifies that no spiritual or physical domain can retain those whom God calls forth for judgment.
* **works (Greek, _érgon'_):** G2041, "works," refers to toil, effort, or an act. In this verse, it emphasizes that the judgment of the unrighteous is based on their deeds, actions, and the overall trajectory of their lives. This is not a judgment for salvation (which is by grace through faith), but a judgment that reveals the just condemnation of those who rejected God and lived apart from His will, confirming their deserved eternal separation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it":** This clause dramatically depicts the resurrection of all who perished in the sea, whether by accident, disaster, or warfare. It emphasizes that no watery grave, no matter how deep or obscure, can hide its inhabitants from God's summons. The sea, often a symbol of chaos and the unknown, is here shown to be utterly subject to divine command, surrendering its dead.
* **"and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them":** This powerful parallel clause broadens the scope of the resurrection to include all who died and were held in the spiritual realms of "death" (the state of being deceased) and "Hades" (the underworld, the temporary holding place for the spirits of the unrighteous dead). The personification of death and Hades as entities that "delivered up" their captives underscores the comprehensive nature of this resurrection. It means every human being who has ever lived and died, apart from those resurrected earlier in Christ, will be brought forth.
* **"and they were judged every man according to their works":** This concluding statement reveals the basis of the judgment. "Every man" signifies the universality and individuality of this reckoning. The judgment is not arbitrary but meticulously "according to their works"—their deeds, actions, and the moral character of their lives. This highlights divine justice, where the unrighteous are condemned not by a capricious God, but by the evidence of their own lives lived in rebellion or indifference to Him.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 20:13 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Personification** is prominently featured, as "the sea," "death," and "hell" are given the human-like ability to "give up" or "deliver up" the dead. This vivid imagery transforms abstract concepts and natural phenomena into active agents, emphasizing the irresistible power of God's command that compels even these ultimate boundaries of human existence to surrender their hold. **Symbolism** is also at play, with "the sea" representing the vast, mysterious, and often chaotic elements of the natural world, and "death" and "hell" (Hades) symbolizing the universal dominion of mortality and the unseen spiritual realm of the departed. Their forced surrender symbolizes God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, both seen and unseen. Furthermore, the comprehensive nature of the resurrection ("every man") and the inclusion of all possible locations for the dead suggest an element of **Hyperbole** or **Totality**, underscoring that no one, regardless of how or where they died, can escape this final divine summons and judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 20:13 stands as a stark reminder of the biblical doctrine of universal resurrection and final judgment, affirming God's ultimate justice and authority over all creation. It teaches that death is not the end, nor is it a permanent state for anyone. Every individual, whether righteous or unrighteous, will one day be raised to stand before God. For the unrighteous, this resurrection is specifically for condemnation based on their deeds, revealing the gravity of human sin and the necessity of divine accountability. This scene underscores the absolute certainty of a coming reckoning, where all hidden things will be brought to light and every life will be evaluated against God's perfect standard.

* [Daniel 12:2](/daniel/12-2 "Daniel 12:2 - Resurrection to Everlasting Life or Contempt")
* [John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - Resurrection of Life and Resurrection of Condemnation")
* [Hebrews 9:27](/hebrews/9-27 "Hebrews 9:27 - Appointed to Die Once, Then Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 20:13 serves as a profound and sobering truth, calling all humanity to a serious consideration of their eternal destiny. It underscores the absolute certainty of a future judgment for all who have lived and died apart from Christ. This passage should ignite a deep sense of urgency for those who have not yet embraced the salvation offered through Jesus Christ, highlighting that there is no escaping God's final reckoning. For believers, while this specific judgment is not for them (as their judgment for sin was borne by Christ), it reinforces the awe-inspiring justice of God and the ultimate triumph of His righteous rule. It encourages a life lived with intentionality, knowing that every action, word, and thought is seen by God, and that while salvation is by grace, works demonstrate the reality of one's faith. Ultimately, this verse should drive us to a deeper appreciation for the grace of God in Christ, who delivers us from the condemnation of our works.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the sea, death, and hell giving up their dead impact your understanding of God's power and sovereignty?**
* **If judgment is "according to their works," what does this imply about the importance of how we live our lives, even if we are saved by grace?**
* **How does the certainty of this final judgment motivate you to share the good news of salvation in Christ with others?**

### FAQ

**What is the difference between "hell" in this verse and the "lake of fire" mentioned later in Revelation?**

Answer: In [Revelation 20:13](/revelation/20-13 "Revelation 20:13 - The Universal Resurrection"), "hell" translates the Greek word _Hades_ (G86), which refers to the temporary realm of the dead, a holding place for departed spirits awaiting final judgment. It is the spiritual equivalent of the grave. The "lake of fire," mentioned in [Revelation 20:14-15](/revelation/20-14-15 "Revelation 20:14-15 - The Second Death and Lake of Fire"), is _Gehenna_, the eternal place of conscious punishment for the devil, his angels, and all the unrighteous. Revelation 20:14 explicitly states that "Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire," signifying their abolition and the permanent, eternal destination for the condemned.

**Does "judged every man according to their works" mean salvation is based on works?**

Answer: No, for the unrighteous, this judgment is indeed based on their works, which reveal their rejection of God and their unrighteousness, leading to their condemnation. This is distinct from the salvation of believers, which the Bible consistently teaches is by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works, as clearly stated in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). For believers, their works are evaluated at the Bema Seat (judgment seat of Christ), not for salvation, but for rewards and the quality of their service to God, as described in [1 Corinthians 3:12-15](/1_corinthians/3-12-15 "1 Corinthians 3:12-15 - The Bema Seat Judgment").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 20:13, though depicting the judgment of the unrighteous, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is He who holds the keys of Death and Hades, as declared in [Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Jesus Holds the Keys of Death and Hades"), demonstrating His supreme authority over these realms. The very fact that Death and Hades are compelled to give up their dead is a testament to Christ's triumph over them through His resurrection. For those who are "in Christ," this terrifying judgment is not their destiny. Jesus, as 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")), has already borne the judgment for sin on the cross, fulfilling the righteous requirements of God's law. Therefore, believers will not face condemnation at this Great White Throne Judgment, for "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Instead, they will partake in the "resurrection of life," while the unrighteous face the "resurrection of judgment" ([John 5:28-29](/john/5-28-29 "John 5:28-29 - Resurrection of Life and Judgment")). Christ is the one who conquered death, making a way for eternal life for all who believe, thereby delivering them from the terrifying prospect of judgment according to their works.

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

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.