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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

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."

Context

This verse is part of the crucial 20th chapter of Revelation, which describes a period often referred to as the "millennium" or the thousand-year reign. Following the judgment of the beast and the false prophet in Revelation 19, this passage details the fate of Satan himself before this thousand-year period begins. It shows God's decisive action to restrain the primary source of evil and deception on Earth.

Key Themes

  • The Binding of Satan: The central action is the forceful restraint of Satan, preventing his activity on a global scale.
  • The Bottomless Pit: This is the place of confinement for Satan during this specific period.
  • Cessation of Deception: A primary purpose of Satan's binding is to prevent him from deceiving the nations, a key aspect of his work throughout history (Revelation 12:9).
  • The Thousand-Year Duration: The binding is specifically limited to this timeframe, correlating with the thousand years mentioned later in the chapter.
  • Temporary Release: The verse explicitly states that after the thousand years, Satan must be released for a short time (Revelation 20:7).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "bottomless pit" translates the Greek word abyssos (ἄβυσσος), which means "abyss" or "very deep." It is often depicted elsewhere in Scripture as a place of confinement for demonic forces (Luke 8:31). The "seal" indicates the security and authority of this confinement, making it impossible for him to escape until God's appointed time.

Reflection and Application

This verse offers a powerful picture of God's ultimate sovereignty over evil. Even the most powerful spiritual adversary, Satan, is subject to God's timing and control. His ability to deceive and influence the nations is not absolute but is limited by divine decree. For believers today, this provides assurance that while Satan is currently active in the world (1 Peter 5:8), his ultimate defeat is certain, and his power is temporary. The binding during the millennium signifies a future state where his global deception ceases, bringing immense relief and peace before the final judgment.

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.

  • 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.
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