Revelation 20:3
New International Version
He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

New Living Translation
The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.

English Standard Version
and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

Berean Standard Bible
And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time.

Berean Literal Bible
And he cast him into the Abyss, and shut and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed. After these things it is necessary for him to be released for a little time.

King James Bible
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

New King James Version
and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

New American Standard Bible
and he threw him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.

NASB 1995
and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.

NASB 1977
and threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.

Legacy Standard Bible
and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were finished. After these things he must be released for a short time.

Amplified Bible
and the angel hurled him into the abyss, and closed it and sealed it above him [preventing his escape or rescue], so that he would no longer deceive and seduce the nations, until the thousand years were at an end. After these things he must be liberated for a short time.

Christian Standard Bible
He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the thousand years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He threw him into the abyss, closed it, and put a seal on it so that he would no longer deceive the nations until the 1,000 years were completed. After that, he must be released for a short time.

American Standard Version
and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.

Contemporary English Version
Then the angel threw the dragon into the pit. He locked and sealed it, so 1,000 years would go by before the dragon could fool the nations again. But after that, it would have to be set free for a little while.

English Revised Version
and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He threw it into the bottomless pit. The angel shut and sealed the pit over the serpent to keep it from deceiving the nations anymore until the 1,000 years were over. After that it must be set free for a little while.

Good News Translation
The angel threw him into the abyss, locked it, and sealed it, so that he could not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years were over. After that he must be set loose for a little while.

International Standard Version
He threw him into the bottomless pit, locked it, and sealed it over him to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were over. After that, he must be set free for a little while.

Majority Standard Bible
And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. And after that, he must be released for a brief period of time.

NET Bible
The angel then threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)

New Heart English Bible
and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time.

Webster's Bible Translation
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled; and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Weymouth New Testament
He closed the entrance and put a seal upon him in order that he might be unable to lead the nations astray any more until the thousand years were at an end. Afterwards he is to be set at liberty for a short time.

World English Bible
and cast him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years were finished. After this, he must be freed for a short time.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he cast him into the abyss, and shut him up, and put a seal on him, that he may no longer lead the nations astray, until the one thousand years may be completed; and after these it is necessary for him to be loosed a short time.

Berean Literal Bible
And he cast him into the Abyss, and shut and sealed it over him, so that he should not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed. After these things it is necessary for him to be released for a little time.

Young's Literal Translation
and he cast him to the abyss, and did shut him up, and put a seal upon him, that he may not lead astray the nations any more, till the thousand years may be finished; and after these it behoveth him to be loosed a little time.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he cast him into the abyss, and shut him up, and affixed a seal above him, that he should no more deceive the nations, until the thousand years be finished: and after these things he must be loosed a little time.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should no more seduce the nations, till the thousand years be finished. And after that, he must be loosed a little time.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he cast him into the abyss, and he closed and sealed it, so that he would no longer seduce the nations, until the thousand years are completed. And after these things, he must be released for a brief time.

New American Bible
and threw it into the abyss, which he locked over it and sealed, so that it could no longer lead the nations astray until the thousand years are completed. After this, it is to be released for a short time.

New Revised Standard Version
and threw him into the pit, and locked and sealed it over him, so that he would deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be let out for a little while.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up and set a seal over him, that he should no more deceive the nations until the thousand years should be fulfilled: after that he will be loosed for a short time.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he cast him into The Abyss and shut and sealed the top of it so that he would not again seduce all the nations; after these things it is granted to release him for a little season.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and threw him into the abyss, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be completed: and after this he must be loosed for a little while.

Godbey New Testament
and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and put his seal on him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years may be fulfilled: after these it behooves him to be loosed a little season.

Haweis New Testament
and cast him into the abyss, and shut him up, and put a seal upon it, that he might deceive the nations no more until the thousand years are completed: and after that he must be loosed a short time.

Mace New Testament
then cast him into the bottomless pit, there shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should seduce the nations no more, till the thousand years should he fulfilled: and after that, he was to be loosed for a short time.

Weymouth New Testament
He closed the entrance and put a seal upon him in order that he might be unable to lead the nations astray any more until the thousand years were at an end. Afterwards he is to be set at liberty for a short time.

Worrell New Testament
and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished; after these things he must be loosed for a little time.

Worsley New Testament
and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he might deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years be finished: and then he must be loosed for a little time.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Satan Bound
2He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3And he threw him into the Abyss, shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he could not deceive the nations until the thousand years were complete. After that, he must be released for a brief period of time. 4Then 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.…

Cross References
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 12:12
Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time.”

Revelation 12:13
And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.

Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was enraged at the woman and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.

Revelation 13:7
Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

Revelation 13:10
“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.

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 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

Jude 1:6
And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.

Matthew 12:29
Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

Luke 10:18
So He told them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

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

John 16:11
and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.

Isaiah 24:21-22
In that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven above and the kings of the earth below. / They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon and punished after many days.


Treasury of Scripture

And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

cast.

Revelation 20:1
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Revelation 17:8
The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

and set.

Daniel 6:17
And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

Matthew 27:66
So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

should deceive.

Revelation 20:8
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Revelation 13:14
And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

the thousand.

Psalm 90:4
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

and after.

Revelation 20:7-10
And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, …

Jump to Previous
Abyss Bottomless Cast Closed Deceive End Entrance Finished Freed Fulfilled Longer Loosed Nations Order Pit Seal Sealed Short Shut Thousand Threw Time Unable
Jump to Next
Abyss Bottomless Cast Closed Deceive End Entrance Finished Freed Fulfilled Longer Loosed Nations Order Pit Seal Sealed Short Shut Thousand Threw Time Unable
Revelation 20
1. Satan bound for a thousand years.
6. The first resurrection;
7. Satan let loose again.
8. Gog and Magog.
10. The demons cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.
11. The last and general resurrection.














He threw him into the Abyss
The phrase "He threw him" refers to the angel who seizes Satan, demonstrating the authority and power of God over evil. The Greek word for "threw" is "ebalen," indicating a forceful action, emphasizing the decisive nature of God's judgment. The "Abyss" (Greek: "abussos") is a place of confinement for demonic forces, often associated with chaos and the deep. In biblical context, it represents a temporary holding place for Satan, highlighting God's control over the forces of darkness.

shut it and sealed it over him
The act of shutting and sealing the Abyss signifies the complete and secure confinement of Satan. The Greek word for "sealed" is "esphragisen," which conveys the idea of a mark of authority and finality. This imagery is reminiscent of the sealing of the tomb of Jesus, but in contrast, it underscores the impotence of Satan against God's sovereign will. The sealing ensures that Satan's influence is entirely curtailed during this period.

so that he would not deceive the nations any longer
This phrase underscores the primary activity of Satan: deception. The Greek word for "deceive" is "planaō," meaning to lead astray or cause to wander. Historically, Satan's deception has been a recurring theme throughout Scripture, beginning with the Garden of Eden. The cessation of his deception marks a significant shift in the spiritual landscape, allowing for a time of peace and truth.

until the thousand years were complete
The "thousand years" is often referred to as the Millennium, a period of Christ's reign on earth. The number "thousand" (Greek: "chilioi") can be interpreted literally or symbolically, representing a long, divinely appointed period. This era is characterized by righteousness and peace, as prophesied in various Old Testament passages, such as Isaiah 11. The completion of this period signifies the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

After that, he must be released for a brief period of time
The necessity of Satan's release, as indicated by "must" (Greek: "dei"), suggests a divine purpose in God's plan. This brief period (Greek: "mikron chronon") serves as a final test for humanity, revealing the true nature of those who have lived under Christ's reign. It underscores the persistent reality of free will and the ultimate triumph of God's justice and righteousness.

(3) And cast him into the bottomless pit . . .--Rather, and cast him into the abyss (same word as in Revelation 20:1), and locked and sealed (the door or mouth) above him, that he may not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years shall have been finished; after these things he must be loosed for a little time. The sealing reminds us of the sealing employed when the wicked one had power through man's agency to imprison God's messengers. (Comp. Daniel 6:17, and Matthew 27:66.) Of the exact moment when this binding and imprisoning took place it is not needful to inquire too curiously. That which in the vision is described as the work of a moment may in the fact and fulfilment be a very gradual work; or rather, the full manifestation of its accomplishment may be only gradually made clear. To fix it therefore, to any incident (for example, as Hengstenberg is disposed to do to the coronation of Charlemagne), is to fall into the "vicious realism" against which he rightly protests. The same applies to the duration of the imprisonment; it is not to be understood literally any more than the other numbers in the book; it symbolises a lengthened period. This period is followed by the loosing again of the devil for a short time. (See Note on Revelation 20:7.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


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

he threw
ἔβαλεν (ebalen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 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.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
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.

Abyss,
ἄβυσσον (abysson)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 12: The abyss, unfathomable depth, an especially Jewish conception, the home of the dead and of evil spirits. Depthless, i.e. 'abyss'.

shut [it],
ἔκλεισεν (ekleisen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2808: To shut, shut up. A primary verb; to close.

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

sealed [it]
ἐσφράγισεν (esphragisen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4972: To seal, set a seal upon. From sphragis; to stamp for security or preservation; by implication, to keep secret, to attest.

over
ἐπάνω (epanō)
Preposition
Strong's 1883: From epi and ano; up above, i.e. Over or on.

him,
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 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.

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.

he could not deceive
πλανήσῃ (planēsē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4105: To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.

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

nations
ἔθνη (ethnē)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1484: Probably from etho; a race, i.e. A tribe; specially, a foreign one.

until
ἄχρι (achri)
Conjunction
Strong's 891: As far as, up to, until, during. Or achris akh'-rece; akin to akron; until or up to.

the
τὰ (ta)
Article - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

thousand
χίλια (chilia)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5507: A thousand. Plural of uncertain affinity; a thousand.

years
ἔτη (etē)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2094: A year. Apparently a primary word; a year.

were complete.
τελεσθῇ (telesthē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5055: (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay. From telos; to end, i.e. Complete, execute, conclude, discharge.

After that,
μετὰ (meta)
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.

he
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 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.

must
δεῖ (dei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1163: Third person singular active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same; both used impersonally; it is Necessary.

be released
λυθῆναι (lythēnai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive
Strong's 3089: A primary verb; to 'loosen'.

for a brief
μικρὸν (mikron)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3398: Little, small. Including the comparative mikroteros apparently a primary word; small (figuratively) dignity).

period of time.
χρόνον (chronon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5550: A space of time or interval; by extension, an individual opportunity; by implication, delay.


Links
Revelation 20:3 NIV
Revelation 20:3 NLT
Revelation 20:3 ESV
Revelation 20:3 NASB
Revelation 20:3 KJV

Revelation 20:3 BibleApps.com
Revelation 20:3 Biblia Paralela
Revelation 20:3 Chinese Bible
Revelation 20:3 French Bible
Revelation 20:3 Catholic Bible

NT Prophecy: Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the abyss (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 20:2
Top of Page
Top of Page