Deep Dive

Revelation of John 13:10

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“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.

Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brownv. 10

He that leadeth into captivity--A, B, C, and Vulgate read, "if any one (be) for captivity." shall go into captivity--Greek present, "goeth into captivity." Compare Jer 15:2, which is alluded to here. Aleph, B, and C read simply, "he goeth away," and omit "into captivity." But A and Vulgate support the words. he that killeth with the sword, must be killed with the sword--So B and C read. But A reads, "if any (is for) being (literally, 'to be') killed with the sword." As of old, so now, those to be persecuted by the beast in various ways, have their trials severally appointed them by God's fixed counsel. English Version is quite a different sense, namely, a warning to the persecutors that they shall be punished with retribution in kind. Here--"Herein": in bearing their appointed sufferings lies the patient endurance . . . of the saints. This is to be the motto and watchword of the elect during the period of the world kingdom. As the first beast is to be met by patience and faith (Rev 13:10), the second beast must be opposed by true wisdom (Rev 13:18).

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Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 10

We have, in this chapter, a further discovery and description of the church's enemies: not other enemies than are mentioned before, but described after another manner, that the methods of their enmity may more fully appear. They are represented as two beasts; the first you have an account of (Rev 13:1-10) the second (Rev 13:11, etc.). By the first some understand Rome pagan, and by the second Rome papal; but others understand Rome papal to be represented by both these beasts, by the first in its secular power, by the second in its ecclesiastical.

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Tyndale Open Study Notesv. 10

13:10 God’s holy people are summoned to endure and remain faithful while experiencing temporary persecution.

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Jeremiah 15:2rank 21

If they ask you, ‘Where shall we go?’ you are to tell them that this is what the LORD says: ‘Those destined for death, to death; those destined for the sword, to the sword; those destined for famine, to famine; and those destined for captivity, to captivity.’

Isaiah 33:1rank 13

Woe to you, O destroyer never destroyed, O traitor never betrayed! When you have finished destroying, you will be destroyed. When you have finished betraying, you will be betrayed.

Revelation of John 14:12rank 13

Here is a call for the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Revelation of John 3:10rank 12

Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Luke 21:19rank 11

By your patient endurance you will gain your souls.

Hebrews 6:12rank 9

Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Revelation of John 2:2rank 8

I know your deeds, your labor, and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate those who are evil, and you have tested and exposed as liars those who falsely claim to be apostles.

Matthew 26:52rank 7

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him. “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.

Jeremiah 43:11rank 6

He will come and strike down the land of Egypt, bringing death to those destined for death, captivity to those destined for captivity, and the sword to those destined for the sword.

Habakkuk 2:3rank 6

For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.

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