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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comRobertson Word Pictures - Revelation 13:14 - 13:14
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
And he deceiveth (kai planāi). Present active (dramatic) indicative of planaō, the very thing that Jesus had said would happen (Mat 24:24, “So as to lead astray” hōste planāsthai, the word used here, if possible the very elect). It is a constant cause for wonder, the gullibility of the public at the hands of new charlatans who continually bob up with their pipe-dreams.
That they should make an image to the beast (poiēsai eikona tōi thēriōi). Indirect command (this first aorist active infinitive of poieō) after legōn as in Act 21:21, not indirect assertion. This “image” (eikōn, for which word see Mat 22:20; Col 1:15) of the emperor could be his head upon a coin (Mar 12:16), an imago painted or woven upon a standard, a bust in metal or stone, a statue, anything that people could be asked to bow down before and worship. This test the priests in the provinces pressed as it was done in Rome itself. The phrase “the image of the beast,” occurs ten times in this book (Rev 13:14, Rev 13:15 ter; Rev 14:9, Rev 14:11; Rev 15:2; Rev 16:2; Rev 19:20; Rev 20:4). Emperor-worship is the issue and that involves worship of the devil.
The stroke of the sword (tēn plēgēn tēs machairēs). This language can refer to the death of Nero by his own sword.
And lived (kai ezēsen). “And he came to life” (ingressive first aorist active indicative of zaō). Perhaps a reference to Domitian as a second Nero in his persecution of Christians.