Revelation 2:20
New International Version
Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

New Living Translation
“But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols.

English Standard Version
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Berean Standard Bible
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Berean Literal Bible
But I have against you that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, the one calling herself a prophetess and teaching and misleading My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

King James Bible
Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

New King James Version
Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

New American Standard Bible
But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

NASB 1995
But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

NASB 1977
‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

Legacy Standard Bible
But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and deceives My slaves so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

Amplified Bible
But I have this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols.

Christian Standard Bible
But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols.

American Standard Version
But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Contemporary English Version
But I still have something against you because of that woman Jezebel. She calls herself a prophet, and you let her teach and mislead my servants to do immoral things and to eat food offered to idols.

English Revised Version
But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But I have something against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. She teaches and misleads my servants to sin sexually and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Good News Translation
But this is what I have against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a messenger of God. By her teaching she misleads my servants into practicing sexual immorality and eating food that has been offered to idols.

International Standard Version
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and who teaches and leads my servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Majority Standard Bible
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

NET Bible
But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

New Heart English Bible
But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Webster's Bible Translation
Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit lewdness, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Weymouth New Testament
Yet I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and by her teaching leads astray My servants, so that they commit fornication and eat what has been sacrificed to idols.

World English Bible
But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
But I have a few things against you: that you allow the woman Jezebel, who is calling herself a prophetess, to teach, and to lead astray, My servants to commit whoredom, and to eat idol-sacrifices;

Berean Literal Bible
But I have against you that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, the one calling herself a prophetess and teaching and misleading My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Young's Literal Translation
'But I have against thee a few things: That thou dost suffer the woman Jezebel, who is calling herself a prophetess, to teach, and to lead astray, my servants to commit whoredom, and idol-sacrifices to eat;

Smith's Literal Translation
But I have a few things against thee, for thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, calling herself a prophetess, to teach and to lead my servants astray to commit fornication, and to eat things offered to idols.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But I have against thee a few things: because thou sufferest the woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat of things sacrificed to idols.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But I have a few things against you. For you permit the woman Jezabel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication and to eat the food of idolatry.

New American Bible
Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

New Revised Standard Version
But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you allowed that woman of yours Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“I have much against you, because you are tolerating your wife Jezebel who says about herself that she is a Prophetess, and teaches and seduces my Servants to commit fornication and to eat the sacrifices of idols.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But I have against you that you suffer that woman Jezebel, who calls her self a prophetess, and teaches and deceives my servants to practice lewdness, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Godbey New Testament
But I have it against you, that you suffer the woman Jezebel, who says herself to be a prophet, and teaches and deceives my servants to commit fornication, and to cat things sacrificed to idols.

Haweis New Testament
Yet I have a few things against thee, because thou hast suffered that woman Jezabel, calling herself a prophetess, to teach, and to lead my servants into error, to commit whoredom, and eat the idol sacrifices.

Mace New Testament
notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel, who stiles herself a prophetess, and teaches and seduces my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Weymouth New Testament
Yet I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and by her teaching leads astray My servants, so that they commit fornication and eat what has been sacrificed to idols.

Worrell New Testament
But I have it against you, that you suffer the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess; and she teaches and seduces My servants to commit fornication, and to eat idol-sacrifices.

Worsley New Testament
But I have a few things against thee; because thou sufferest the woman Jezabel, who saith that she is a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
To the Church in Thyatira
19I know your deeds—your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance—and your latter deeds are greater than your first. 20But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 21Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling.…

Cross References
1 Kings 16:31
And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal.

1 Kings 21:25
(Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel.

2 Kings 9:22
When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?”

2 Kings 9:30-37
Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. / And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?” / He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him. ...

Jeremiah 7:9
Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,

Jeremiah 23:14
And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.”

Ezekiel 13:17-23
Now, O son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them / and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their wrists and make veils for the heads of people of every height, in order to ensnare their souls. Will you ensnare the souls of My people but preserve your own? / You have profaned Me among My people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to My people who would listen, you have killed those who should not have died and spared those who should not have lived. ...

Ezekiel 16:32
You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband!

Ezekiel 23:37
For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols.

Hosea 4:12-14
My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. / I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin.

Micah 6:16
You have kept the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their counsel. Therefore I will make you a desolation, and your inhabitants an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of the nations.”

Nahum 3:4
because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft.

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.

Acts 15:20
Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.

Romans 2:20
an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—


Treasury of Scripture

Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

I have.

Revelation 2:4,14
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love…

that woman.

1 Kings 16:31
And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

1 Kings 17:4,13
And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there…

1 Kings 19:1,2
And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword…

and to seduce.

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

Exodus 34:15
Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

Numbers 25:1,2
And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab…

Jump to Previous
Acts Beguiling Bond-Servants Calls Commit Eat Eating Few Food Fornication Herself Idols Immorality Jezebel Jez'ebel Notwithstanding Practice Prophetess Sacrificed Seduce Seduces Servants Sexual Teach Teaches Teacheth Teaching Tolerate
Jump to Next
Acts Beguiling Bond-Servants Calls Commit Eat Eating Few Food Fornication Herself Idols Immorality Jezebel Jez'ebel Notwithstanding Practice Prophetess Sacrificed Seduce Seduces Servants Sexual Teach Teaches Teacheth Teaching Tolerate
Revelation 2
1. What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,
8. Smyrna,
12. Pergamos,
18. Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them.














But I have this against you
This phrase introduces a divine rebuke. The Greek word for "against" is "kata," which implies a strong opposition or grievance. In the context of the seven churches in Revelation, this phrase indicates a serious issue that needs correction. The use of "I have" signifies personal involvement and concern from Christ Himself, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

You tolerate that woman Jezebel
The name "Jezebel" is symbolic, referencing the infamous queen in the Old Testament who led Israel into idolatry and immorality (1 Kings 16:31). The Greek word for "tolerate" is "apheis," meaning to allow or permit. This suggests a failure of the church to confront and correct false teachings and immoral behavior. The historical Jezebel was known for her manipulation and promotion of Baal worship, making her a fitting symbol for corrupting influences within the church.

who calls herself a prophetess
The phrase "calls herself" indicates self-appointment rather than divine calling. The Greek word "legei" (calls) implies a claim or assertion without validation. In the early church, prophets were respected leaders who spoke God's truth. By claiming this title, Jezebel sought authority and influence, misleading the faithful. This highlights the danger of self-proclaimed leaders who lack genuine spiritual authority.

By her teaching she misleads My servants
The Greek word for "misleads" is "plana," meaning to cause to wander or stray. This suggests intentional deception, leading believers away from the truth. "My servants" refers to the followers of Christ, emphasizing their relationship with Him and the seriousness of their being led astray. The historical context of false teachings in the early church underscores the need for discernment and adherence to sound doctrine.

to be sexually immoral
The term "sexually immoral" is translated from the Greek word "porneusai," which encompasses a range of illicit sexual behaviors. In the biblical context, sexual immorality often symbolizes spiritual unfaithfulness. The early church faced challenges from surrounding pagan cultures where such practices were common, making this a pertinent warning against compromising Christian values.

and to eat food sacrificed to idols
Eating food sacrificed to idols was a contentious issue in the early church, as seen in Paul's letters (1 Corinthians 8). The Greek word "eidolothuton" refers to food offered to pagan gods. Participating in such meals could imply endorsement of idolatry, conflicting with the Christian commitment to worship God alone. This phrase highlights the need for believers to remain distinct from pagan practices and maintain their witness in a pluralistic society.

(20) A few things.--The Sinaitic MS. has "I have much against thee; but the reading, I have against thee that thou lettest alone, &c., is to be preferred.

Jezebel.--Some adopt the reading, "thy wife Jezebel." From these words it has been thought that there was some personal influence at work for evil in Thyatira. Whether in the household of the "angel" or not is at least doubtful. The sin alleged against her is the same for which the Nicolaitanes are condemned--fornication, and the eating of things sacrificed to idols. If the above view be right, the leader of the exorcists is a woman--regarded by her followers as a prophetess, as one with a real message from God; but viewed by the Lord of the churches as a very Jezebel, teaching and seducing the servants of God. For letting her alone, for being timid, paying too much deference to her spiritual pretensions, for failing to see and to show that the so-called "deep things" of these teachers were depths of Satan, the chief minister is rebuked. A large number of respectable critics regard Jezebel as a name applied to a faction, not as belonging to an individual. It seems best to view the name as symbolical, always remembering that the Jezebel spirit of proud, self-constituted authority, vaunting claims of superior holiness, or higher knowledge, linked with a disregard of--and perhaps a proud contempt for--"legalism," and followed by open immorality, has again and again run riot in the churches of God.

Verse 20. - But I have against thee that thou sufferest. This is certainly fight. "A few things" (ὀλίγα) is an insertion in some inferior authorities. Others insert "many things" (πόλλα); the Sinaitic inserts "much" (πόλυ); while the best authorities have nothing between κατὰ σοῦ and ὅτι; and then ὅτι must be rendered "that" rather than "because." The construction is the same as in ver. 4. There is a right and a wrong suffering; and the Church in Thyatira exhibits both. The enduring of tribulation (ὑπομονή) is commended; the toleration of evil (ἀφεῖς) is rebuked. It is not said that Jezebel receives sympathy or encouragement, but merely that she is let alone; her wickedness is left unchecked, and that is sinful. For this use of ἀφίεναι, comp. John 11:48; John 12:7. It is difficult to decide between "the woman" (τὴν γυνααῖκα) and "thy wife" (τὴν γυναῖκα σοῦ), authorities being much divided; the balance seems in favour of the former. But even if "thy wife" be preferred, there is no need to understand Jezebel as indicating a distinct person. We are in the region of figures and metaphors. Perhaps all that is indicated is that the angel of the Church at Thyatira is suffering from the tolerated presence of a baneful influence, as did Ahab, "whom Jezebel his wife stirred up" (1 Kings 21:25). And if it is not certain that any individual false prophetess is signified, it is scarcely worth while to speculate as to who this individual is. Jezebel may be a person, or she may be a form of false doctrine personified. If the former, Jezebel is doubtless not her real name, but a symbolical name of reproach, and what her name and status were we have no means of knowing. In any case the error represented by the name is closely akin to that of the Nicolaitans and to "the doctrine of Balaam." Whatever differences of detail there may have been, all three made Christian liberty a plea for an antichristian licence which claimed to be above the moral Law. And she teacheth and seduceth. This is an independent statement, and must not, as in the Authorized Version, be made to depend upon "thou sufferest." For the construction τὴν γυναῖκα Ιεζαβήλ ἡ λέγουσα, compare τῆς καινῆς Ιερουσαλὴμ ἡ καταβαίνουσα (Revelation 3:12). The word for "seduce," or "lead astray" (πλανᾷν), in the active is frequent in St. John, especially in Revelation (Revelation 12:9 13:14; 19:20; 20:3, 8, 10; John 7:12; 1 John 1:8; 1 John 2:26; 1 John 3:7). A comparison of these passages will lead to the conclusion that the word implies seduction into error of a very grave kind. It is not clear whether "fornication" is to be understood literally, or, as often in the Old Testament, in the spiritual sense of idolatry. The former seems more probable. "My servants" means all Christians, as is clear from Revelation 7:3 and Revelation 22:3; it must not be limited to those in authority in the Church. (For "things sacrificed to idols," see notes on ver. 14.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
Ἀλλὰ (Alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

I have [this]
ἔχω (echō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

against
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

you:
σοῦ (sou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

You tolerate
ἀφεῖς (apheis)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 863: From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.

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

woman
γυναῖκα (gynaika)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

Jezebel,
Ἰεζάβελ (Iezabel)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2403: Of Hebrew origin; Jezabel, a Tyrian woman.

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

calls
λέγουσα (legousa)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

herself
ἑαυτὴν (heautēn)
Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1438: Himself, herself, itself.

a prophetess.
προφῆτιν (prophētin)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4398: A prophetess. Feminine of prophetes; a female foreteller or an inspired woman.

By her teaching
διδάσκει (didaskei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1321: To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.

she misleads
πλανᾷ (plana)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4105: To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.

My
ἐμοὺς (emous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1699: My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.

servants
δούλους (doulous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1401: (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.

to be sexually immoral
πορνεῦσαι (porneusai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4203: To fornicate; met: I practice idolatry. From porne; to act the harlot, i.e. indulge unlawful lust, or practise idolatry.

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

to eat
φαγεῖν (phagein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 5315: A primary verb; to eat.

food sacrificed to idols.
εἰδωλόθυτα (eidōlothyta)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1494: Neuter of a compound of eidolon and a presumed derivative of thuo; an image-sacrifice, i.e. Part of an idolatrous offering.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you that (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
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