Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadHeinrich Meyer Commentary - Revelation 9:20 - 9:20
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
Rev_9:20 sq. The plagues that have been introduced cause no repentance in the survivors.[2670]
οἱ λοιποὶ τ . ἀνθρ . The contextual reference to Rev_9:18 is yet expressly marked: οῖ οὐκ ἀπεκτ . ἐν τ . πληγ . ταύτ . As the ἐκ is meant to limit the οὐ μετενόησαν , the final clause, ἵνα μὴ , κ . τ . λ .,[2671] is explained: they repented not of the works of their hands, in order not (any more) to worship, etc. The μετανοεῖν ἐκ τ . ἔργ . τ . χειρ . αὐτ . would have as its intention the ceasing henceforth the προσκυνεῖν , κ . τ . λ . But by the words ἵνα μὴ προσκ ., κ . τ . λ ., not only is the pregnancy of the clause μεταν . ἐκ τ . ἔργων τ . χειρ . αὐτ ., which in itself is readily intelligible, explained, but an authentic interpretation is also given to the expression τ . ἔργ . τ . χειρ . αὐτ ., which it is here impossible to designate as the entire course of life,[2672]—which by no means follows from Rev_2:22, Rev_16:11, since there the characteristic τῶν χειρῶν αὐτ . is lacking,—but just as Act_7:41, in connection with O. T. passages like Deu_4:28, Psa_135:15 sqq., must designate idols made with their own hands.[2673] It is, indeed, to be observed, that not only the expression τ . ἔργ . τ . χειρ . αὐτ . in itself, but also the allusion to the material whence human hands have fashioned the idols, and to their blindness and dumbness, refer to O. T. descriptions. But that the discourse is first in general concerning “the works of men’s hands,” and that then a more minute presentation follows ( ἵνα μὴ προσκ ., κ . τ . λ .), contains what is objectionable as little as the directly opposite order of Act_7:41.
τὰ δαιμόνια . Cf. 1Co_10:20. Bengel suffers here a peculiar embarrassment, because he regards “the rest of men” especially as “so-called Christians,” and then must give the explanation as to how far they worshipped devils. But he knows how to help himself. Notwithstanding the incursions of the Turks, he says that the Christians of that time retained the worship of images and of saints; and now there might be many among the worshipping saints who abode not in heaven, but in hell.
καὶ οὐ μετεν . The repetition is necessary, because the former οὐ μετεν ., Rev_9:20, is already too remote to admit of a connection[2674] with what follows in Rev_9:21 ( ἐκ τ . φόνων , κ . τ . λ .), but is entirely irrelevant for the more detailed explanation of the whole text.[2675] Concerning the sequence of the particles Οὐ , ΟὔΤΕ , ΟὔΤΕ , cf. Winer, p. 457.
ΦΑΡΜΑΚΕΙῶΝ . Sorceries, xviii. 23.[2676] Ebrard understands it symbolically of “seductive enchantments.” He reaches this conclusion, because in Rev_9:20 he finds sins against God; in Rev_9:21, sins against one’s neighbor, while actual sorcery, as a sin against God, does not belong in Rev_9:21.[2677] But the established linguistic usage suits no arbitrary dispositions. It is also to be stated against those who have regarded the ΦΑΡΜΑΚ . in a certain combination with the preceding ΦΌΝΩΝ ,[2678] or with the succeeding ΠΟΡΝΕΊΑς ,[2679] that the very generally expressed idea of sorcery,—the plural also should be observed,—according to its nature, does not admit of a more specific determination, as the text itself does not give such.
Τῆς ΠΟΡΝΕΊΑς ΑὐΤ . The sing. designates all the particular forms of manifestation[2680] of the always same kind of sins. Beng. says appropriately: “Other crimes are committed by men at intervals; ΠΟΡΝΕΊΑ alone is perpetual with those who are destitute of purity of heart.”
The entire description of sins, Rev_9:20-21, which is to be comprehended in its unity, is manifestly directed to essentially heathenish godlessness, so that they of whom the third are killed, and two-thirds survive but are not converted, are to be regarded essentially as heathen.[2681] [See Note LXII., p. 294] It is the mass of the ΚΑΤΟΙΚΟῦΝΤΕς ἘΠῚ Τῆς Γῆς ,[2682] in contrast with the sealed.[2683] From the fact that the latter are not affected by the plague of the sixth trumpet, it is to be inferred, according to the standard of Rev_9:4, that the armies in this vision, like the locusts of the fifth trumpet, are of a demoniacal kind.
[2670] Cf. Rev_16:11.
[2671] Cf. Winer, p. 428.
[2672] “All the deeds of life” (Ewald, De Wette, Ebrard).
[2673] Beng., Hengstenb.; also Ew. ii.
[2674] Ewald, etc.
[2675] Possibly as a designation of ἕργ . τ . χειρ αὐτ . (Rev_9:20), or a classification of sins.
[2676] Cf. Meyer on Gal_5:20.
[2677] Cf. also Hengstenb., who, besides, notes the ten sins against the first table (Rev_9:20)? and the four sins against the second table.
[2678] Hengstenb.
[2679] Ewald.
[2680] Cf. 1Co_7:2.
[2681] Cf. De Wette, etc.
[2682] Cf. Rev_6:10.
[2683] Cf. Rev_7:1 sqq.