Revelation 20:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} cast {G906} him {G846} into {G1519} the bottomless pit {G12}, and {G2532} shut {G2808} him {G846} up {G2808}, and {G2532} set a seal {G4972} upon {G1883} him {G846}, that {G3363} he should deceive {G4105} the nations {G1484} no {G3363} more {G2089}, till {G891} the thousand {G5507} years {G2094} should be fulfilled {G5055}: and {G2532} after {G3326} that {G5023} he {G846} must {G1163} be loosed {G3089} a little {G3398} season {G5550}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He threw him into the Abyss, locked it and sealed it over him; so that he could not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years were over. After that, he has to be set free for a little while.

Berean Standard Bible

And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.

American Standard Version

and cast him into the abyss, and shutit, and sealeditover him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 20:3 describes a pivotal moment in eschatological prophecy, detailing the angelic agent's forceful apprehension and imprisonment of Satan in the "bottomless pit" for a period of one thousand years. This confinement is secured by a divine seal, specifically purposed to prevent Satan from continuing his pervasive deception of the nations until the completion of this millennial era. The verse concludes by revealing that, at the end of this period, Satan's release is divinely ordained for a brief, final season.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands at the threshold of Revelation chapter 20, immediately following the dramatic defeat of the Beast and the False Prophet, who are cast into the lake of fire in [Revelation 19:20](/revelation/19-20 "Revelation 19:20 - The Beast and False Prophet Cast into the Lake of Fire"). With these two primary agents of rebellion removed, the narrative logically shifts to the ultimate source of evil, Satan himself. Chapter 20 then proceeds to describe the millennial reign of Christ and His saints ([Revelation 20:4-6](/revelation/20-4-6 "Revelation 20:4-6 - The Millennial Reign")), which is made possible by Satan's binding. The temporary nature of this binding, as stated in this verse, sets the stage for Satan's final, albeit brief, resurgence and ultimate defeat at the chapter's conclusion ([Revelation 20:7-10](/revelation/20-7-10 "Revelation 20:7-10 - Satan's Final Rebellion and Doom")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of a "pit" or "abyss" as a place of confinement for evil spirits or rebellious entities was present in ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature and even in the broader Greco-Roman world. The Greek term *ábyssos* (bottomless pit) resonates with the idea of a primordial, chaotic deep, or a dungeon for the imprisoned. The act of "setting a seal" upon a prison or tomb was a common ancient practice to signify security, authority, and the inviolability of the confinement, as seen with the tomb of Jesus in [Matthew 27:66](/matthew/27-66 "Matthew 27:66 - The Seal on Jesus' Tomb"). The "nations" (*éthnos*) in biblical prophecy often refer to the gentile world, emphasizing the global scope of Satan's deceptive influence and the universal impact of his temporary cessation.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 20:3 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Revelation and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **God's absolute sovereignty over evil**, demonstrating that even the most powerful spiritual adversary, Satan, operates entirely within the confines of God's divine decree and timing. The **cessation of deception** is another critical theme, highlighting the profound impact of Satan's binding on global affairs and the ushering in of a period of unparalleled peace and righteousness under Christ's reign. Furthermore, the verse introduces the **millennial period** as a distinct phase in God's redemptive plan, a thousand-year era during which Satan's influence is completely neutralized. Finally, the **temporary nature of Satan's confinement** foreshadows his final, desperate rebellion and ultimate, eternal judgment, underscoring the certainty of evil's ultimate defeat, as described in [Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - Satan Cast into the Lake of Fire").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bottomless pit (Greek, _ábyssos'_):** From the Greek G12, meaning "depthless," specifically referring to an "abyss" or "deep." In biblical contexts, it often signifies a place of confinement for demonic forces or the realm of the dead, emphasizing a profound, immeasurable depth, and a secure, inescapable prison.
* **deceive (Greek, _planáō'_):** From the Greek G4105, meaning "to roam" or "cause to roam from safety, truth, or virtue." It signifies leading astray, misleading, or seducing. This highlights Satan's primary modus operandi throughout history, which is to mislead humanity away from God's truth and into sin and rebellion.
* **seal (Greek, _sphragízō'_):: From the Greek G4972, meaning "to stamp with a signet or private mark for security or preservation." It implies an act of authentication, ownership, and, crucially here, inviolable security. The setting of a seal upon the pit signifies that Satan's imprisonment is divinely authorized, absolutely secure, and cannot be broken until the appointed time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And cast him into the bottomless pit,"**: This clause describes the forceful and decisive action taken against Satan. The agent, an angel from [Revelation 20:1](/revelation/20-1 "Revelation 20:1 - An Angel with the Key to the Abyss"), exercises divine authority to seize Satan and confine him to the *ábyssos*, a place of deep, secure imprisonment, signifying the end of his unhindered activity on earth.
* **"and shut him up, and set a seal upon him,"**: These actions emphasize the absolute security and divine authority of Satan's confinement. "Shut him up" (Greek *kleíō*) denotes a complete closure, preventing escape. "Set a seal upon him" (Greek *sphragízō*) adds an extra layer of security, making the imprisonment official and inviolable, ensuring that no one, including Satan himself, can break free until God's appointed time.
* **"that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled:"**: This clause reveals the primary purpose and duration of Satan's imprisonment. His global deception of humanity, a consistent theme throughout Scripture, is completely halted. This cessation of deception is explicitly tied to the "thousand years" (*chílioi étos*), a specific and significant period of time that defines the millennial reign of Christ.
* **"and after that he must be loosed a little season."**: This final clause provides a crucial prophetic detail: Satan's imprisonment is not eternal at this point. Following the completion of the thousand years, there is a divinely ordained necessity ("must be loosed," Greek *deî lýō*) for his release, albeit for a "little season" (*mikrós chrónos*), a brief and limited duration, setting the stage for his final, ultimate defeat.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 20:3 employs several powerful **literary devices**. **Symbolism** is prominent with the "bottomless pit" and the "seal." The "bottomless pit" (**ábyssos**) symbolizes a place of absolute, inescapable confinement for spiritual evil, not merely a physical location but a realm of divine restraint. The "seal" (**sphragízō**) symbolizes the inviolable authority and security of God's decree, ensuring Satan's imprisonment is complete and temporary only by divine will. The phrase "deceive the nations" highlights **personification** by attributing active, malicious intent to Satan, portraying him as a strategic adversary. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as **prophecy**, detailing future events, and specifically employs **foreshadowing** by explicitly stating Satan's temporary release, which anticipates the final battle described later in the chapter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse underscores God's ultimate and unchallengeable sovereignty over all creation, including the forces of evil. It reveals that Satan, despite his power and influence, is utterly subject to God's will and timing. His binding signifies a period when humanity will experience a world free from his direct, global deception, allowing for a reign of righteousness under Christ. This temporary cessation of Satan's influence highlights the profound impact of evil on human history and anticipates a future where God's perfect will is fully realized on earth. The verse also implicitly points to the ongoing spiritual warfare, but with the assurance that God has a definitive plan for the defeat of His enemies.

* [Revelation 12:9](/revelation/12-9 "Revelation 12:9 - Satan, the Deceiver of the Whole World")
* [Revelation 19:20](/revelation/19-20 "Revelation 19:20 - The Beast and False Prophet Cast into the Lake of Fire")
* [Revelation 20:7-10](/revelation/20-7-10 "Revelation 20:7-10 - Satan's Final Release and Defeat")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 20:3 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to perseverance for believers. It reminds us that no matter how pervasive or powerful evil may seem in the present age, God remains in absolute control. Satan's activity, though real and often devastating, is not without limit; it is ultimately circumscribed by divine decree. This truth should instill a deep sense of peace and confidence in God's ultimate victory. For those who feel overwhelmed by the deception and chaos in the world, this verse promises a future era of peace and truth, a time when the primary source of global evil is restrained. It encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that the present struggles are temporary and that God's plan for justice and righteousness will prevail. We are called to resist deception in our own lives and to stand firm in the truth of God's Word, knowing that the deceiver's days are numbered.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the temporary binding of Satan in this verse affirm God's sovereignty in your life today?**
* **In what ways do you see Satan's "deception of the nations" at work in the world, and how does this verse offer hope in that context?**
* **What practical steps can believers take to resist deception and live in the truth, knowing Satan's ultimate fate?**

### FAQ
**What is the "bottomless pit" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "bottomless pit" translates the Greek word *ábyssos* (G12), which literally means "depthless" or "abyss." In the New Testament, it is consistently depicted as a place of temporary confinement for demonic spirits. For example, in [Luke 8:31](/luke/8-31 "Luke 8:31 - Demons Beg Not to Be Sent into the Abyss"), the legion of demons begs Jesus not to send them into the abyss. It is distinct from the "lake of fire," which is the final, eternal punishment for Satan, the Beast, the False Prophet, and the unsaved ([Revelation 20:10](/revelation/20-10 "Revelation 20:10 - Satan Cast into the Lake of Fire")). Thus, the bottomless pit serves as a secure, temporary prison for Satan during the millennial period.

**Why is Satan bound for only a thousand years, and then loosed again?**

Answer: The binding of Satan for "the thousand years" ([Revelation 20:2](/revelation/20-2 "Revelation 20:2 - Satan Bound for a Thousand Years")) is to prevent him from deceiving the nations during Christ's millennial reign. This period allows for a demonstration of Christ's perfect rule on earth without Satan's direct influence, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies about a time of global peace and righteousness. His subsequent release for a "little season" ([Revelation 20:3](/revelation/20-3 "Revelation 20:3 - Satan Loosed for a Little Season")) serves a crucial purpose: it allows humanity, at the end of the millennium, to make a final, uncoerced choice for or against God. It demonstrates that even after a thousand years of perfect governance and peace, the human heart, left to its own devices, is still capable of rebellion when tempted, highlighting the necessity of God's grace and ultimate judgment. This final rebellion, led by Satan, is swiftly crushed, leading to his eternal doom ([Revelation 20:7-10](/revelation/20-7-10 "Revelation 20:7-10 - Satan's Final Rebellion and Doom")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 20:3, while focusing on the restraint of Satan, profoundly underscores the triumph and ultimate sovereignty of Jesus Christ. The very act of binding Satan is a direct consequence and manifestation of Christ's decisive victory over the powers of darkness achieved through His death, resurrection, and ascension. When Jesus declared, "Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out" in [John 12:31](/john/12-31 "John 12:31 - The Ruler of This World Cast Out"), He foreshadowed this ultimate subjugation. His work on the cross disarmed principalities and powers, triumphing over them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), and through His death, He rendered powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death")). The binding of Satan in Revelation 20:3 is the eschatological outworking of this accomplished victory, demonstrating Christ's authority to establish His kingdom free from the deceiver's global influence. It is a testament to the fact that Christ, as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, will ultimately bring all His enemies under His feet ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ Must Reign Until All Enemies Are Under His Feet")), ushering in an era of peace and righteousness that only His perfect rule can provide.

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 17:8

The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Revelation 20:1

¶ And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Daniel 6:17

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

2 Thessalonians 2:11

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

Matthew 27:66

So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

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.