Revelation 9:20

KJV

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the rest {G3062} of the men {G444} which {G3739} were {G615} not {G3756} killed {G615} by {G1722} these {G5025} plagues {G4127} yet {G3777} repented {G3340} not {G3777} of {G1537} the works {G2041} of their {G846} hands {G5495}, that {G3363} they should {G4352} not {G3363} worship {G4352} devils {G1140}, and {G2532} idols {G1497} of gold {G5552}, and {G2532} silver {G693}, and {G2532} brass {G5470}, and {G2532} stone {G3035}, and {G2532} of wood {G3585}: which {G3739} neither {G3777} can {G1410} see {G991}, nor {G3777} hear {G191}, nor {G3777} walk {G4043}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The rest of mankind, those who were not killed by these plagues, even then did not turn from what they had made with their own hands — they did not stop worshipping demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

American Standard Version

And the rest of mankind, who were not killed with these plagues, repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and the idols of gold, and of silver, and of brass, and of stone, and of wood; which can neither see, nor hear, nor walk:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 9:20 delivers a somber and striking indictment of humanity's hardened heart in the face of cataclysmic divine judgment. Following the devastating sixth trumpet plague, which annihilated a third of mankind, the surviving population shockingly refused to repent of their idolatrous practices. This verse vividly portrays their stubborn rebellion against God, highlighting their continued devotion to lifeless idols made of various materials and, by extension, to the demonic forces behind them, despite overwhelming evidence of their impotence and God's sovereign power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 9:20 serves as a climactic and sobering conclusion to the judgments unleashed by the sixth trumpet (Revelation 9:13-21). Prior to this verse, the preceding verses describe a terrifying army of 200 million demonic horsemen, released from the Euphrates, who kill a third of humanity through fire, smoke, and brimstone emanating from their mouths and tails ([Revelation 9:16-19](/revelation/9-16-19 "Revelation 9:16-19 - The Demonic Horsemen")). The immediate literary flow emphasizes the sheer scale and horror of these divine judgments. Yet, despite witnessing such unprecedented devastation and the direct intervention of God's wrath, the narrative pivots to reveal the unyielding spiritual defiance of the survivors, setting the stage for further judgments and the eventual return of Christ. This verse underscores that even the most severe suffering does not automatically lead to repentance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mention of "idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood" directly reflects the prevalent idolatrous practices of the Greco-Roman world in which John wrote Revelation. Paganism was deeply entrenched, with numerous gods and goddesses worshipped through physical images crafted from various materials. Temples, altars, and household shrines were common, housing these idols. The worship of these deities often involved rituals, sacrifices, and a lifestyle contrary to the monotheistic worship of the God of Israel. John's audience would have been intimately familiar with such practices, making the condemnation of idolatry in this verse a direct challenge to the surrounding culture and a call for believers to remain separate from such defilement. The impotence of these idols, unable to "see, nor hear, nor walk," directly echoes Old Testament polemics against pagan gods, demonstrating a consistent biblical critique across dispensations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Revelation and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **human unrepentance and rebellion**, demonstrating humanity's profound spiritual blindness and hardened hearts even when confronted with undeniable divine judgment. It highlights that suffering, by itself, does not guarantee a turning to God ([Luke 16:31](/luke/16-31 "Luke 16:31 - They will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead")). Another crucial theme is the **nature and futility of idolatry**. The passage clarifies that idolatry is not merely the worship of inanimate objects but is often linked to the worship of "devils," revealing the spiritual malevolence behind false gods ([1 Corinthians 10:20](/1_corinthians/10-20 "1 Corinthians 10:20 - Sacrificing to Demons")). Finally, the verse reinforces the **sovereignty and righteousness of God's judgment**, illustrating that His wrath is a just response to persistent sin and rebellion, and that His ultimate goal is to bring about repentance and salvation for those who will turn to Him ([2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is patient, not wanting anyone to perish")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **repented (Greek, _metanoéō'_):** This word signifies a profound change of mind, a moral reconsideration that leads to a turning away from sin and towards God. In this context, it highlights the tragic absence of such a transformation, indicating a deliberate and stubborn refusal to acknowledge sin and seek divine forgiveness, despite the severe consequences of their actions.
* **devils (Greek, _daimónion'_):** This term refers to demonic beings or evil spirits, often understood as lesser malevolent spiritual entities distinct from Satan himself. The verse reveals that the worship of idols is not merely devotion to inanimate objects but is, at its core, an allegiance to these malevolent spiritual forces that stand in opposition to God.
* **idols (Greek, _eídōlon'_):** An image or representation used for worship, often implying a heathen god. The detailed list of materials—gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood—emphasizes the man-made, material nature of these objects, underscoring their inherent powerlessness and the folly of worshipping them.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues":** This clause sets the stage, identifying the survivors of the preceding devastating judgments. It emphasizes that a significant portion of humanity has already perished, yet a remnant remains, having directly experienced or witnessed God's severe wrath.
* **"yet repented not of the works of their hands,":** This is the core indictment. Despite the overwhelming evidence of divine power and the catastrophic consequences of their sin, these survivors demonstrate an astonishing lack of compunction or change of heart. "Works of their hands" specifically refers to their actions, particularly their idolatrous practices, which are products of human will and rebellion.
* **"that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood:":** This section details the specific sins from which they refused to repent: the worship of demonic entities and man-made images. The comprehensive list of materials underscores the pervasive and varied nature of their idolatry, encompassing all forms of material wealth and natural resources fashioned into objects of false worship.
* **"which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:":** This final phrase is a powerful and ancient biblical critique of idols. It highlights their utter impotence and lifelessness, contrasting sharply with the living, all-seeing, all-hearing, and all-powerful God. This serves as a stark commentary on the foolishness of worshipping that which is inferior and incapable of providing salvation or help.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 9:20 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as the survivors, having witnessed unimaginable destruction from divine judgment, paradoxically remain unrepentant, clinging to the very sins that provoked God's wrath. This highlights the profound spiritual blindness and hardness of the human heart. The verse also uses **Parallelism** and **Repetition** in the phrase "which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk," echoing Old Testament condemnations of idols (e.g., [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4-7 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Impotence of Idols") or [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry")), thereby connecting the end-time judgments to a consistent biblical critique of false worship. Furthermore, the detailed **Catalogue** or **List** of materials (gold, silver, brass, stone, wood) used for idols emphasizes the pervasive and comprehensive nature of their idolatry, covering all forms of man-made objects. Finally, the "plagues" themselves function as **Symbolism** for divine judgment, while the "idols" symbolize humanity's persistent rebellion and misplaced worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 9:20 profoundly illustrates the depth of human depravity and the stubborn resistance to God's truth, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of His power and judgment. It underscores a crucial theological principle: suffering, by itself, does not inherently lead to repentance. True repentance is a work of the Holy Spirit, requiring a change of heart and mind, not merely a response to fear. The verse also highlights the enduring biblical condemnation of idolatry, revealing that behind the worship of created things often lies the sinister influence of demonic forces. This passage serves as a stark reminder that humanity's greatest problem is not merely external circumstances but an internal rebellion against the Creator, manifesting in the worship of anything other than the one true God.

* [Psalm 115:4-8](/psalm/115-4-8 "Psalm 115:4-8 - The Impotence of Idols")
* [Romans 1:21-23](/romans/1-21-23 "Romans 1:21-23 - The Exchange of God's Glory for Idols")
* [2 Thessalonians 2:9-12](/2_thessalonians/2-9-12 "2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 - The Delusion of Those Who Reject Truth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 9:20 offers a sobering mirror for self-examination and a powerful call to genuine repentance. It challenges us to consider whether our hearts are truly turned towards God, or if we, like the unrepentant survivors, are clinging to "works of our hands"—anything we create, pursue, or value more than our relationship with the living God. While physical idols of gold or wood may be less common in some modern contexts, the principle of idolatry remains profoundly relevant. Anything that takes God's rightful place in our affections, trust, or devotion—be it career, money, relationships, social media, self-image, or even religious traditions devoid of true spiritual life—can become a modern idol. This verse urges us to proactively examine our lives, confess any misplaced allegiances, and actively turn back to the Lord, recognizing His supreme worth and authority. It also reminds us of the profound spiritual blindness that can grip individuals and societies, prompting us to pray earnestly for those who remain unrepentant and to share the gospel with compassion and urgency, knowing that only God's grace can break through such hardened hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be clinging to "works of my hands" or modern "idols" instead of fully trusting and worshipping God alone?**
* **How does the unrepentance described in Revelation 9:20 challenge my understanding of suffering and its potential to draw people to God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my worship is directed solely to the living God and not to anything created or earthly?**

### FAQ
**Why did the survivors not repent despite such devastating plagues?**

Answer: Revelation 9:20 reveals the profound depth of human rebellion and spiritual hardening. The text indicates that even extreme suffering and undeniable divine judgment do not automatically lead to repentance. This unrepentance stems from a hardened heart, a deliberate refusal to acknowledge God's sovereignty and their own sin. It demonstrates that true repentance is not merely a response to fear or pain, but a spiritual transformation, a change of mind and heart enabled by God's grace, which these individuals evidently resisted. This stubbornness highlights the human capacity for self-deception and the power of sin to blind individuals to truth, even when confronted with overwhelming evidence ([John 3:19](/john/3-19 "John 3:19 - Men loved darkness rather than light")).

**What does it mean to "worship devils" in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "worship devils" (Greek: _daimónion_) indicates that the idolatry described was not merely the worship of inanimate objects, but an allegiance to the malevolent spiritual forces that often stand behind false gods and idols. The Bible consistently teaches that pagan worship, while seemingly directed at statues or mythological figures, is ultimately a form of demonic worship ([1 Corinthians 10:20](/1_corinthians/10-20 "1 Corinthians 10:20 - Sacrificing to Demons")). These "devils" are evil spirits or demons who seek to usurp the worship due to God alone, leading humanity into spiritual bondage and deception.

**How does the description of idols being unable to "see, nor hear, nor walk" relate to other biblical passages?**

Answer: This description is a direct echo of numerous Old Testament passages that mock the impotence and futility of idols in contrast to the living God. For example, [Psalm 115:4-7](/psalm/115-4-7 "Psalm 115:4-7 - The Impotence of Idols") states, "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat." Similar critiques are found in [Isaiah 44:9-20](/isaiah/44-9-20 "Isaiah 44:9-20 - The Folly of Idolatry") and [Jeremiah 10:3-5](/jeremiah/10-3-5 "Jeremiah 10:3-5 - The Worthlessness of Idols"). These passages collectively emphasize that idols are man-made, lifeless objects, utterly incapable of helping, hearing, or saving, standing in stark contrast to the omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 9:20, with its stark portrayal of unrepentant humanity clinging to idols and demonic worship, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very reason for humanity's unrepentance and idolatry is sin, a rebellion against God that separates mankind from its Creator. Christ, however, came precisely to address this fundamental problem. 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 the only true path to repentance and reconciliation with God. While the plagues of Revelation demonstrate God's righteous judgment against sin, Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross represents God's ultimate act of mercy, providing a way out of the judgment that humanity justly deserves. He bore the wrath that unrepentant idolaters would face, offering forgiveness to all who turn to Him in faith ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Furthermore, Christ is the true and living God, in stark contrast to the lifeless idols mentioned in the verse. He is the one who truly sees, hears, and walks among His people, not a creation of human hands but the eternal Son of God ([Colossians 1:15-17](/colossians/1-15-17 "Colossians 1:15-17 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")). His resurrection from the dead decisively proves His power over all spiritual forces, including the "devils" that humanity worshipped ([Ephesians 1:20-21](/ephesians/1-20-21 "Ephesians 1:20-21 - Christ's Supremacy Over All Authority")). Therefore, Revelation 9:20, while depicting humanity's tragic refusal to repent, implicitly magnifies the indispensable grace and redemptive power found only in Jesus Christ, who alone can break the chains of idolatry and lead hearts to true worship.

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

Daniel 5:23

But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:

Deuteronomy 31:29

For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt [yourselves], and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

1 Timothy 4:1

¶ Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Jeremiah 1:16

And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands.

Revelation 9:21

Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Acts 19:26

Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

Romans 1:21

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.