Revelation 13:4
New International Version
People worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, “Who is like the beast? Who can wage war against it?”

New Living Translation
They worshiped the dragon for giving the beast such power, and they also worshiped the beast. “Who is as great as the beast?” they exclaimed. “Who is able to fight against him?”

English Standard Version
And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”

Berean Standard Bible
They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”

Berean Literal Bible
And they worshiped the dragon, who had given authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? And who is able to make war against it?"

King James Bible
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

New King James Version
So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

New American Standard Bible
they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”

NASB 1995
they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”

NASB 1977
and they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?”

Amplified Bible
They fell down and worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; they also worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like (as great as) the beast, and who is able to wage war against him?”

Christian Standard Bible
They worshiped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against it? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They worshiped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against him?”

American Standard Version
and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him?

Contemporary English Version
and they worshiped the dragon who had given its authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, "No one is like this beast! No one can fight against it."

English Revised Version
and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? and who is able to war with him?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
They worshiped the serpent because it had given authority to the beast. They also worshiped the beast and said, "Who is like the beast? Who can fight a war with it?"

Good News Translation
Everyone worshiped the dragon because he had given his authority to the beast. They worshiped the beast also, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who can fight against it?"

International Standard Version
They worshipped the dragon because it had given authority to the beast. They also worshipped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who can fight a war with it?"

Majority Standard Bible
They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”

NET Bible
they worshiped the dragon because he had given ruling authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast too, saying: "Who is like the beast?" and "Who is able to make war against him?"

New Heart English Bible
They worshiped the serpent, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And they worshiped the dragon which gave power to the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast? who is able to make war with him?

Weymouth New Testament
And they offered worship to the Dragon, because it was to him that the Wild Beast owed his dominion; and they also offered worship to the Wild Beast, and said, "Who is there like him? And who is able to engage in battle with him?"

World English Bible
They worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who [is] like to the beast? Who is able to war with it?”

Berean Literal Bible
And they worshiped the dragon, who had given authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? And who is able to make war against it?"

Young's Literal Translation
and they did bow before the dragon who did give authority to the beast, and they did bow before the beast, saying, 'Who is like to the beast? who is able to war with it?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And they worshipped the dragon which gave power to the wild beast: and they worshipped the wild beast, saying, Who like the beast? who shall be able to war with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they adored the dragon, which gave power to the beast: and they adored the beast, saying: Who is like to the beast? and who shall be able to fight with him?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they worshiped the dragon, who gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying: “Who is like the beast? And who would be able to fight with it?”

New American Bible
They worshiped the dragon because it gave its authority to the beast; they also worshiped the beast and said, “Who can compare with the beast or who can fight against it?”

New Revised Standard Version
They worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they worshipped the dragon because he had given power to the beast : who can prevail against him to fight him?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And they worshiped the Dragon that gives authority to The Beast, and they worshiped The Beast saying, “Who is like this Beast, and who is able to war with it?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And they worshiped the dragon, because he gave authority to the beast: and they worshiped the beast, saying, Who is like the beast? and, Who is able to make war with him?

Godbey New Testament
and they worshiped the dragon, because he gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying; Who is like the beast? and who is able to make war with him?

Haweis New Testament
And they worshipped the dragon who had given authority to the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like to the beast? who is able to wage war with him?

Mace New Testament
They worshipped the dragon which had given his power to the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, "who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?"

Weymouth New Testament
And they offered worship to the Dragon, because it was to him that the Wild Beast owed his dominion; and they also offered worship to the Wild Beast, and said, "Who is there like him? And who is able to engage in battle with him?"

Worrell New Testament
And they worshiped the dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast, and who is able to make war with him?"

Worsley New Testament
And they worshipped the dragon, who gave his power to the beast, and they worshipped the beast likewise, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war against him?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Beast from the Sea
3One of the heads of the beast appeared to be mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast. 4 They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?” 5The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months.…

Cross References
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.

2 Thessalonians 2:4
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.

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.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

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 17:8
The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.

Revelation 17:12-13
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.

1 John 5:19
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

John 12:31
Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.

Matthew 4:9
“All this I will give You,” he said, “if You will fall down and worship me.”

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
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.

Daniel 7:8
While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.

Daniel 7:21
As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them,

Daniel 8:24
His power will be great, but it will not be his own. He will cause terrible destruction and succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men along with the holy people.

Daniel 11:37-39
He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all. / And in their place, he will honor a god of fortresses—a god his fathers did not know—with gold, silver, precious stones, and riches. / He will attack the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing the land for a price.


Treasury of Scripture

And they worshipped the dragon which gave power to the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like to the beast? who is able to make war with him?

And they.

Revelation 13:2
And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

Revelation 9:20
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:

Psalm 106:37,38
Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, …

and they.

Revelation 13:12,13,15
And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed…

Daniel 11:36,37
And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done…

2 Thessalonians 2:4
Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Who is like.

Revelation 18:18
And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

who is able.

Revelation 17:14
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Deuteronomy 9:2
A people great and tall, the children of the Anakims, whom thou knowest, and of whom thou hast heard say, Who can stand before the children of Anak!

1 Samuel 17:24
And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.

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Able Authority Battle Beast Bow Dominion Dragon Engage Fight Homage Offered Owed Power Wage War Wild Worship Worshiped Worshipped Worshipping
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Able Authority Battle Beast Bow Dominion Dragon Engage Fight Homage Offered Owed Power Wage War Wild Worship Worshiped Worshipped Worshipping
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.














They worshiped the dragon
The phrase "They worshiped the dragon" indicates a profound spiritual deception and allegiance to Satan, who is symbolized by the dragon. In the Greek, "worshiped" (προσκυνέω, proskyneō) implies a deep reverence or adoration, often reserved for deity. Historically, this reflects the ultimate rebellion against God, as humanity turns to worship the adversary. The dragon, identified as Satan in Revelation 12:9, is the ancient serpent who deceives the world. This worship signifies a complete turning away from God, highlighting the spiritual blindness and idolatry prevalent in the end times.

who had given authority to the beast
The phrase "who had given authority to the beast" underscores the source of the beast's power. The Greek word for "authority" (ἐξουσία, exousia) denotes power or jurisdiction. This authority is not inherent but granted by the dragon, indicating a counterfeit power structure mimicking God's divine order. Historically, this reflects the Roman Empire's authority, which early Christians saw as oppressive and tyrannical. In a broader sense, it symbolizes any worldly power that opposes God's kingdom, empowered by satanic influence.

and they worshiped the beast
The repetition of "worshiped" emphasizes the beast's role as an object of idolatry. The beast, representing a political or religious system opposed to God, becomes the focus of human devotion. This reflects the historical context of emperor worship in the Roman Empire, where allegiance to the state was equated with religious duty. Spiritually, it warns against the allure of worldly power and the danger of placing anything above God in our lives.

saying, 'Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?'
This rhetorical question, "Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?" echoes the language used in worship of God, such as in Exodus 15:11, "Who among the gods is like You, O LORD?" The phrase highlights the beast's perceived invincibility and the awe it inspires. Historically, it reflects the seemingly unstoppable power of oppressive regimes. Spiritually, it serves as a warning against the deception of worldly power, which can appear insurmountable but is ultimately subject to God's sovereign will. This phrase challenges believers to recognize that no earthly power can stand against the Almighty, encouraging faith and perseverance in the face of persecution.

Verse 4. - And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast; because be gave his authority (Revised Version) is found in all the best manuscripts. The devil had sought to beguile Christ by offering to him all the kingdoms of the world. His efforts with men are more successful. They worship him on account of the worldly wealth and influence which he bestows. And they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him? Insert "and" with Revised Version: and who is able, etc.? The beast usurps the homage due to God alone (cf. the song of those who had triumphed in Revelation 15:4, "Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy Name?" cf. also Exodus 15:11; Micah 7:18, etc.). The adherents of the beast thus intimate their belief in his superior prowess and his ability to succeed in his war against those who "keep the commandments of God, and hold the testimony of Jesus."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
They worshiped
προσεκύνησαν (prosekynēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4352: From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative 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.

dragon
δράκοντι (drakonti)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1404: A dragon or huge serpent; met: Satan. Probably from an alternate form of derkomai; a fabulous kind of serpent.

who
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

had given
ἔδωκεν (edōken)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

authority
ἐξουσίαν (exousian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849: From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.

to the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative 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,
θηρίῳ (thēriō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2342: Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they worshiped
προσεκύνησαν (prosekynēsan)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 4352: From pros and a probable derivative of kuon; to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative 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,
θηρίῳ (thēriō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2342: Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.

saying,
λέγοντες (legontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“Who
Τίς (Tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

[is] like
ὅμοιος (homoios)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3664: Like, similar to, resembling, of equal rank. From the base of homou; similar.

the
τῷ (tō)
Article - Dative 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,
θηρίῳ (thēriō)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2342: Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

who
τίς (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

can
δύναται (dynatai)
Verb - Present Indicative 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.

wage war
πολεμῆσαι (polemēsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4170: To make war, contend, fight, battle. From polemos; to be in warfare, i.e. To battle: -fight, war.

against
μετ’ (met’)
Preposition
Strong's 3326: (a) gen: with, in company with, (b) acc: (1) behind, beyond, after, of place, (2) after, of time, with nouns, neut. of adjectives.

it?”
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.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 13:4 They worshiped the dragon because he gave (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 13:3
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