Revelation 13:17
New International Version
so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

New Living Translation
And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.

English Standard Version
so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Berean Standard Bible
so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name.

Berean Literal Bible
and that no one should be able to buy or to sell, if not the one having the mark--the name of the beast, or the number of its name.

King James Bible
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

New King James Version
and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

New American Standard Bible
and he decrees that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

NASB 1995
and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

NASB 1977
and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Legacy Standard Bible
and that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Amplified Bible
and that no one will be able to buy or sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Christian Standard Bible
so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of its name.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast’s name or the number of his name.

American Standard Version
and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Contemporary English Version
they all had to have this mark, or else they could not buy or sell anything. This mark stood for the name of the beast and for the number of its name.

English Revised Version
and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It does this so that no one may buy or sell unless he has the brand, which is the beast's name or the number of its name.

Good News Translation
No one could buy or sell without this mark, that is, the beast's name or the number that stands for the name.

International Standard Version
so that no one may buy or sell unless he has the mark, which is the beast's name or the number of its name.

Majority Standard Bible
so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name.

NET Bible
Thus no one was allowed to buy or sell things unless he bore the mark of the beast--that is, his name or his number.

New Heart English Bible
and that no one could be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.

Webster's Bible Translation
And that no man might buy or sell, save him that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Weymouth New Testament
in order that no one should be allowed to buy or sell unless he had the mark--either the name of the Wild Beast or the number which his name represents.

World English Bible
and that no one would be able to buy or to sell unless he has that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and that no one may be able to buy, or to sell, except he who is having the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Berean Literal Bible
and that no one should be able to buy or to sell, if not the one having the mark--the name of the beast, or the number of its name.

Young's Literal Translation
and that no one may be able to buy, or to sell, except he who is having the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Smith's Literal Translation
And that no one could buy or sell, except he having the stamp, or the name of the wild beast, or the number of his name.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And that no man might buy or sell, but he that hath the character, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Catholic Public Domain Version
so that no one may buy or sell, unless he has the character, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

New American Bible
so that no one could buy or sell except one who had the stamped image of the beast’s name or the number that stood for its name.

New Revised Standard Version
so that no one can buy or sell who does not have the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So that no man might buy or sell, except he who had the mark of the name of the beast, or the code number of his name.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
That no one may buy or sell again except one who has the mark of the name of The Beast or the number of its name.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and that no one should be able to buy or sell, but he that had the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Godbey New Testament
that no one may be able to buy or sell, except the one having the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Haweis New Testament
and that no man may buy or sell, but he that hath the mark impressed, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Mace New Testament
that no body should buy or sell unless he had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Weymouth New Testament
in order that no one should be allowed to buy or sell unless he had the mark--either the name of the Wild Beast or the number which his name represents.

Worrell New Testament
and that no one should be able to buy or sell, except him who has the mark, the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Worsley New Testament
but he that hath the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Mark of the Beast
16And the second beast required all people small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, 17 so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark— the name of the beast or the number of its name. 18Here is a call for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666.…

Cross References
Revelation 14:9-11
And a third angel followed them, calling out in a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on his forehead or on his hand, / he too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented in fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. / And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

Revelation 16:2
So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

Revelation 19:20
But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Revelation 20:4
Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Daniel 3:5-6
As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. / And whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.”

Daniel 3:10-11
You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue, / and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into the blazing fiery furnace.

Daniel 3:15
Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”

Daniel 7:25
He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.

Daniel 11:36
Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. / He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, ...

1 John 2:18
Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared. This is how we know it is the last hour.

1 John 4:1-3
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world. / By this you will know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, / and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and which is already in the world at this time.

Exodus 13:16
So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and a symbol on your forehead, for with a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”


Treasury of Scripture

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

mark.

Revelation 13:16
And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

name.

Revelation 3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 14:11
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Revelation 17:5
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

the number.

Revelation 13:18
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Revelation 15:2
And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

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Revelation 13
1. A beast rises out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns, to whom the dragon gives his power.
11. Another beast comes out of the earth,
14. causes an image to be made of the former beast,
15. and that men should worship it,
16. and receive his mark.














so that no one could buy or sell
This phrase indicates a form of economic control and coercion. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, economic transactions were often tied to allegiance to the emperor, who was sometimes deified. The Greek word for "buy" (ἀγοράζω, agorazō) and "sell" (πωλέω, pōleō) suggest everyday commerce, emphasizing the totality of control over daily life. This reflects a future scenario where allegiance to the beast is necessary for survival, highlighting the spiritual battle between allegiance to God and the world.

unless he had the mark
The "mark" (χάραγμα, charagma) is a critical symbol in Revelation. Historically, a "mark" could refer to a brand or stamp, often used to signify ownership or loyalty. In the Roman world, slaves and soldiers bore marks of their masters or generals. Spiritually, this mark represents a choice of allegiance, contrasting with the "seal" of God on believers (Revelation 7:3). It serves as a warning against compromising faith for economic or social convenience.

the name of the beast
The "name" (ὄνομα, onoma) signifies identity and character. In biblical terms, a name often reveals the essence or authority of a person or entity. The beast, representing anti-Christian powers, demands worship and allegiance. This phrase underscores the spiritual deception and idolatry that will characterize the end times, challenging believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

or the number of its name
The "number" (ἀριθμός, arithmos) of the beast's name is famously identified as 666 in Revelation 13:18. Numbers in biblical literature often carry symbolic meaning. The number six, one short of seven (which signifies completeness and perfection), represents imperfection and humanity. The repetition of the number emphasizes the ultimate imperfection and failure of the beast's system. This serves as a reminder of the futility of opposing God's sovereignty and the ultimate victory of Christ.

Verse 17. - And that no man might bay or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. "And" is omitted in א, C, some cursives and versions and Fathers: no man should be able to buy, etc. A, B, C, P, and most cursives also omit , "or," before "the name," thus reading, as in the Revised Version: save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast, or the number of his name. This expressly asserts what we might have gathered from the analogy of the mark of the true Christian (see on ver. 16), viz. that "the mark" was "the name" or "the number of his name." The manner in which this was fulfilled in the early ages of the Church is sufficiently notorious. Then faithfulness to the cause of Christ frequently meant banishment from friends, kindred, and home. St. John himself was feeling the effect of this at the time when he wrote these words in exile at Patmos. So, at the present day, the Jews regard as an utter alien any one of their number who embraces Christianity. So also, at the present day, the faithful Christian is often interdicted the society of the world, is declared a social nuisance, and is shunned by the worldly minded, who pay allegiance to the beast. (On the "number," see on ver. 18.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
so that
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

no
μή (mē)
Adverb
Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether.

one
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

could
δύνηται (dynētai)
Verb - Present Subjunctive Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

buy
ἀγοράσαι (agorasai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 59: To buy. From agora; properly, to go to market, i.e. to purchase; specially, to redeem.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

sell
πωλῆσαι (pōlēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4453: To sell, exchange, barter. Probably ultimately from pelomai; to barter, i.e. To sell.

unless
εἰ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

he
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

had
ἔχων (echōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mark—
χάραγμα (charagma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5480: Sculpture; engraving, a stamp, sign. From the same as charax; a scratch or etching, i.e. Stamp, or scupltured figure.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

name
ὄνομα (onoma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.

of the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

beast
θηρίου (thēriou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2342: Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.

or
(ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

the
τὸν (ton)
Article - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

number
ἀριθμὸν (arithmon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 706: A number, total. From airo; a number.

of its
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

name.
ὀνόματος (onomatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3686: Name, character, fame, reputation. From a presumed derivative of the base of ginosko; a 'name'.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 13:17 And that no one would be able (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 13:16
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