Revelation 13:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →By its miracles the second beast deceives the earth-dwellers and persuades them to make an image of the first beast.
What Does Revelation 13:14 Mean?
The wonders accomplish their purpose: they deceive those who dwell on the earth. Acting in the sight of the first beast, the second beast uses these signs to persuade people to make an image of the beast, the one wounded by a sword yet living. Deception leads, and idol-making follows.
This is the ancient pattern of idolatry given a new face. A persuasive sign convinces the heart, and the hands then fashion an object of devotion. The image honors the counterfeit resurrection, the wounded one who lived again, exalting a hollow imitation of Christ. The reader watches how lies harden into idols and is warned that what we are deceived into admiring, we soon enshrine. Guarding the heart against deception guards the hands from building false altars.
Revelation 13:14 in the Original Language
planao (πλανάω), 'deceive' -- to lead astray, to cause one to wander from the truth.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 13:14
What does Revelation 13:14 mean?
By its miracles the second beast deceives the earth-dwellers and persuades them to make an image of the first beast.