Revelation 12:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Enraged and thwarted, the dragon goes off to wage war against the rest of the woman's children, those who keep God's commandments and hold the testimony of Jesus.
What Does Revelation 12:17 Mean?
Foiled at every turn, the dragon is filled with rage and goes off to make war on the rest of the woman's offspring. These are identified clearly: those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus Christ. The conflict widens from the woman to all her faithful children.
This is where the vision touches the reader directly. To keep God's commandments and to hold the testimony of Jesus is to belong to this very company, and so to feel the dragon's hostility. Yet the chapter has already settled the outcome. The accuser is cast down, the child is enthroned, the woman is kept, and the saints overcome by the blood of the Lamb. The war is real, but it is the last fury of a defeated enemy, and those who hold fast to Christ are on the winning side.
Revelation 12:17 in the Original Language
marturia (μαρτυρία), 'testimony' -- witness or testimony; the faithful confession of Jesus that marks His people and draws the dragon's wrath.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 12:17
What does Revelation 12:17 mean?
Enraged and thwarted, the dragon goes off to wage war against the rest of the woman's children, those who keep God's commandments and hold the testimony of Jesus.