The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death. Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”
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Revelation 12:9-12 sits inside this longer paragraph.
There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war. They didn’t prevail. No place was found for them any more in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death. Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”
Parallel Translations
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The great dragon was thrown down, the old serpent, he who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night.
They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death.
Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time.”
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And the grett dragon that olde serpent called the devyll and Sathanas was cast out. Which desceaveth all the worlde. And he was cast into the erth and his angelles were cast out also.
And I harde a lowde voyce sayinge: in heven is nowe made salvacion and strengthe and the kyngdome of oure God and the power of his Christ For he is cast doune which accused them before god daye and nyght.
And they overcame him by the bloude of the lambe and by the worde of their testimony and they loved not their lyves vnto the deeth.
Therfore reioyce hevens and ye that dwell in them. Woo to the inhabiters of the erth and of the see: for the devyll is come doune vnto you which hath greet wrath because he knoweth that he hath but a short tyme.
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And the great dragon, that olde serpent, called the deuil and Satan, was cast out, which deceiueth all the world: he was euen cast into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Then I heard a loude voyce in heauen, saying, Now is saluation, and strength, and the kingdome of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast downe, which accused them before our God day and night.
But they ouercame him by that blood of that Lambe, and by that worde of their testimonie, and they loued not their liues vnto the death.
Therefore reioyce, ye heauens, and ye that dwell in them. Wo to the inhabitants of the earth, and of the sea: for the deuill is come downe vnto you, which hath great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.
Cross-references (136)
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (v11) For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty…
- John 16:33 (v11) I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
- 1 John 5:5 (v11) Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
- Romans 16:20 (vv9, 11) And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57 (v11) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Show all 100 cross-references
- Revelation 2:26 (vv10–11) He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations.
- Acts 20:24 (v11) But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I…
- Hebrews 2:14-15 (v11) Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might…
- Luke 10:18 (v9) He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.
- Romans 8:33-39 (v11) Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes rather, who…
- 1 John 4:4 (v11) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.
- John 12:31 (v9) Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (v11) I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for…
- Revelation 3:5 (v11) He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name…
- Zechariah 3:1-2 (vv9–10) He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before Yahweh’s angel, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary. Yahweh said…
- Luke 22:31 (vv9–10) The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat,
- Revelation 2:7 (v11) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life,…
- Revelation 3:12 (v11) He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of…
- Revelation 3:21 (v11) He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.
- Ephesians 6:13-18 (v11) Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore,…
- Revelation 2:10-11 (v11) Don’t be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be…
- Luke 14:26 (v11) “If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he…
- Revelation 20:4 (v11) I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of…
- Isaiah 49:13 (v12) Sing, heavens, and be joyful, earth! Break out into singing, mountains, for Yahweh has comforted his people, and will have compassion on…
- Revelation 7:10-14 (v11) They cried with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation be to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” All the angels were standing…
- Revelation 11:15 (v10) The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and…
- 1 John 2:13-14 (v11) I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.…
- Revelation 14:1-4 (v11) I saw, and behold, the Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with him a number, one hundred forty-four thousand, having his name, and the name…
- Revelation 20:10 (v9) The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be…
- Psalms 96:11-13 (v12) Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice. Let the sea roar, and its fullness! Let the field and all that is in it exult! Then all…
- Isaiah 14:12 (v9) How you have fallen from heaven, shining one, son of the dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, who laid the nations low!
- Daniel 2:44 (v10) “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, nor will its sovereignty be left to…
- Acts 21:13 (v11) Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem…
- 1 John 5:19 (v9) We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
- Revelation 1:2 (v11) who testified to God’s word and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, about everything that he saw.
- Revelation 6:9 (v11) When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony…
- Revelation 8:13 (v12) I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of…
- Revelation 11:7 (v11) When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.
- Revelation 15:2-3 (v11) I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on…
- Revelation 18:20 (v12) “Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, apostles, and prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her.”
- Revelation 2:13 (vv9, 11) “I know your works and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. You hold firmly to my name, and didn’t deny my faith in the days of…
- Job 2:1-2 (v9) Again, on the day when the God’s sons came to present themselves before Yahweh, Satan came also among them to present himself before…
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 (v9) in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the…
- Revelation 1:9 (v11) I John, your brother and partner with you in the oppression, Kingdom, and perseverance in Christ Jesus, was on the isle that is called…
- Revelation 2:17 (v11) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I…
- Revelation 10:6 (v12) and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and…
- Revelation 19:10 (v11) I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers…
- Revelation 20:2-3 (v9) He seized the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth, and bound him for a thousand…
- 1 Chronicles 29:11 (v10) Yours, Yahweh, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty! For all that is in the heavens and in the earth is…
- Matthew 28:18 (v10) Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
- Hebrews 11:35-38 (v11) Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better…
- Revelation 12:17 (v11) The dragon grew angry with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep God’s commandments and hold Jesus’…
- Genesis 3:1 (v9) Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You…
- Job 1:9 (v10) Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
- Job 1:11 (v10) But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face.”
- 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 (v9) even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness…
- Revelation 12:7 (v9) There was war in the sky. Michael and his angels made war on the dragon. The dragon and his angels made war.
- Revelation 19:1-7 (vv10, 12) After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory…
- Psalms 148:1-4 (v12) Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh from the heavens! Praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all his army! Praise him,…
- Isaiah 65:25 (v9) The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. Dust will be the serpent’s food. They will not hurt nor…
- Luke 15:10 (v12) Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
- John 8:44 (v9) You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand…
- 1 Peter 5:8 (v9) Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
- 1 John 3:8-10 (v9) He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. To this end the Son of God was revealed: that he might…
- Revelation 2:24 (v9) But to you I say, to the rest who are in Thyatira, as many as don’t have this teaching, who don’t know what some call ‘the deep things of…
- Psalms 2:8-12 (v10) Ask of me, and I will give the nations for your inheritance, the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession. You shall break them…
- Isaiah 27:1 (v9) In that day, Yahweh with his hard and great and strong sword will punish leviathan, the fleeing serpent, and leviathan the twisted serpent;…
- Matthew 4:1 (v9) Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
- Acts 26:18 (v9) to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins…
- Romans 16:18 (v9) For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the…
- 2 Corinthians 2:11 (v9) that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
- 2 Corinthians 11:14 (v9) And no wonder, for even Satan masquerades as an angel of light.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 (v10) He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in…
- Revelation 9:1 (v9) The fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star from the sky which had fallen to the earth. The key to the pit of the abyss was given to him.
- Revelation 9:12 (v12) The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this.
- Revelation 11:10 (v12) Those who dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and they will be glad. They will give gifts to one another, because these two prophets…
- Revelation 12:3 (v9) Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns.
- Revelation 20:8 (v9) and he will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to the war;…
- Genesis 3:4-5 (v9) The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t really die, for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be…
- Genesis 3:13 (v9) Yahweh God said to the woman, “What have you done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
- Job 1:6-12 (v9) Now on the day when God’s sons came to present themselves before Yahweh, Satan also came among them. Yahweh said to Satan, “Where have you…
- Job 2:5 (v10) But stretch out your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce you to your face.”
- Psalms 22:28 (v10) For the kingdom is Yahweh’s. He is the ruler over the nations.
- Psalms 145:11-13 (v10) They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk about your power, to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, the glory of the…
- Isaiah 44:23 (v12) Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth! Break out into singing, you mountains, O forest, all of…
- Matthew 4:5 (v9) Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
- Matthew 4:8 (v9) Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.
- Matthew 4:10 (v9) Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ”
- Matthew 25:41 (v9) Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his…
- Luke 8:12 (v9) Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be…
- Luke 22:3 (v9) Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve.
- 1 Corinthians 5:4 (v10) In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- 2 Corinthians 11:3 (v9) But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is…
- Hebrews 10:37 (v12) “In a very little while, he who comes will come, and will not wait.
- 2 Peter 3:8 (v12) But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
- Revelation 11:14 (v12) The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly.
- 1 Chronicles 21:1 (v9) Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to take a census of Israel.
- Psalms 45:6 (v10) Your throne, God, is forever and ever. A scepter of equity is the scepter of your kingdom.
- Isaiah 55:12-13 (v12) For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace. The mountains and the hills will break out before you into singing; and all the…
- Matthew 6:10 (v10) Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
100 distinct cross-references across this passage (136 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (20 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv10–11 The song of victory or triumph containing first, a…
The song of victory or triumph containing first, a proposition of the glory of God and of Christ showed in that victory: secondly, it containeth a reason of the same proposition taken from the effects, as that the enemy is overcome in battle in this verse, and that the godly are made conquerors (and more than conquerors, Rom. 8:37) verse 11. Thirdly, a conclusion wherein is an exhortation unto the Angels, and the Saints, and unto the world, a prophecy of great misery, and of destruction procured by the devil against mankind, lest himself should shortly be miserable alone, verse 12.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv9–12 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that…
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.
Ver. 9. Was cast out] Full sore against his will. If the enemies had but as much power as malice, the Church should never rest. But they shall be utterly routed and outed, as at this day they are here to our great comfort.
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That old serpent] When he was young he outwitted our first parents, 2Co 11:3, then when their reason was not depraved. Now that he is old, and we but children, Eph 4:14, had we not need look to him, and not be ignorant of his wiles?
Which deceiveth the whole world] Having for that purpose his set and composed machinations, 2Co 2:11, his methods artificially moulded, Eph 6:11, his depths, sleights, coggings of dice, &c. And herein he is incessantly exercised, as the participle of the present tense noteth, ο πλανων.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv9–12 And the great dragon was cast out; the dragon…
And the great dragon was cast out; the dragon mentioned Rev 12:3, which typified the pagan emperors. In casting them out,
the devil who influenced them, was cast out, who is here called the
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old serpent, with reference to the form in which he seduced Eve, as well as his malignity to man.
The devil, that is, the accuser of the brethren, (of which we have an instance in Job 1:1-22),
and Satan, which name he hath from his opposition to Christ and all Christians.
Which deceiveth the whole world; by seducing them to idolatry and superstition.
He was cast out into the earth; cast down from his former state.
And his angels were cast out with him; the instruments he used in persecuting the church, were put out of power. Mr. Mede understands it of the demons which the heathens worshipped as inferior gods. John, being in his trance still, thought he saw a great red dragon, (which he judged to be the devil), and Christ, or the good angels, fighting with and overcoming him; and that he saw the devil, and those evil angels assisting him, thrown down to the earth. This prophetically and typically signified; that though the Roman emperors, being pagans, should persecute the church upwards of three hundred years, yet they should be overthrown, and paganism, with all its idolatry and superstition, should be rooted out; which occasioned a great deal of glory to God from the praises and thanksgivings of his people, expressed in the next three verses.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
William Burkitt 1703 · Public Domain On v10 After Michael and his angels’, Christ and his followers’…
After Michael and his angels’, Christ and his followers’ victory over the dragon and his angels, over Satan and his instruments, here follows a solemn thanksgiving for the devil’s downfall: the saints in heaven join with believers on earth in this song of confidence and triumph: when they speak of God, they say our God: and when they speak of the church below, they say our brethren: behold a sweet communion between the church militant and the church triumphant; indeed they constitute and make up but one church, one family, one household: the whole family of heaven and earth is but one.
Observe farther, Another name here given to Satan, the accuser of the brethren; he accuses them continually before God, and by his instruments before men; the primitive Christians were accused by their enemies to the magistrates as guilty of the most villanous practices in their religious assemblies: and behold the assuduity of Satan in accusing the saints day and night; but blessed be God, as Satan is a continual accuser, Christ is a continual mediator.
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Observe again, How the saints overcame Satan.
1. By the blood of the Lamb; that is, by faith in his blood.
2. By the word of their testimony; that is, by their preaching, professing, and practising the word of God.
3. By their sufferings and martyrdom, they loved not their lives unto the death: that is, they loved not their lives so well but that they were willing to expose them to death, rather than renounce the cause of Christ, and desert their holy profession.
Observe lastly, After this great exultation and joy in heaven for the devil’s downfall, here is a denunciation of woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea, upon that account; that is, to all earthly sensual men, whether they inhabit the continent, or any island in the sea; because the devil is come down full of rage, knowing that his time is short to execute his malice in.
Learn hence, 1. Who is the author of wrath, and malice, and revenge; and whose children they are that partake of that spirit and temper: the devil has great wrath; that is his character, and the very soul and spirit of the apostate nature.
Learn, 2. That something good may be learned from the evil one; Satan is very busy, doubly diligent, because his time is short; so should we be; our grave and coffin is at hand, our glass has but a little sand; since but a few leaves are remaining in the book of our lives unfilled up, it concerns us to write the closer, and the faster too: as Satan’s time for mischief is short, so is our time for doing good.
William Burkitt's Expository Notes on the New Testament (1700–1703) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v12 We have here an account of this war, so…
We have here an account of this war, so happily finished in heaven, or in the church, as it was again renewed and carried on in the wilderness, the place to which the church had fled, and where she had been for some time secured by the special care of her God and Saviour. Observe,
I. The warning given of the distress and calamity that should fall upon the inhabitants of the world in general, through the wrath and rage of the devil. For, though his malice is chiefly bent against the servants of God, yet he is an enemy and hater of mankind as such; and, being defeated in his designs against the church, he is resolved to give all the disturbance he can to the world in general: Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, and the sea, Rev 12:12. The rage of Satan grows so much the greater as he is limited both in place and time; when he was confined to the wilderness, and had but a short time to reign there, he comes with the greater wrath.
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II. His second attempt upon the church now in the wilderness: He persecuted the woman who brought forth the man-child, Rev 12:13. Observe, 1. The care that God had taken of his church. He had conveyed her as on eagles' wings, into a place of safety provided for her, where she was to continue for a certain space of time, couched in prophetic characters, taken from Dan 7:25. 2. The continual malice of the dragon against the church. Her obscurity could not altogether protect her; the old subtle serpent, which at first lurked in paradise, now follows the church into the wilderness, and casts out a flood of water after her, to carry her away. This is thought to be meant of a flood of error and heresy, which was breathed by Arius, Nestorius, Pelagius, and many more, by which the church of God was in danger of being overwhelmed and carried away. The church of God is in more danger from heretics than from persecutors; and heresies are as certainly from the devil as open force and violence. 3. The seasonable help provided for the church in this dangerous juncture: The earth helped the woman, and opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood, Rev 12:16. Some think we are to understand the swarms of Goths and Vandals that invaded the Roman empire, and found work for the Arian rulers, who otherwise would have been as furious persecutors as the pagan had been, and had exercised great cruelties already; but God opened a breach of war, and the flood was in a manner swallowed up thereby, and the church enjoyed some respite. God often sends the sword to avenge the quarrel of his covenant; and, when men choose new gods, then there is danger of war in the gates; intestine broils and contentions often end in the invasions of a common enemy. 4. The devil, being thus defeated in his designs upon the universal church, now turns his rage against particular persons and places; his malice against the woman pushes him on to make war with the remnant of her seed. Some think hereby are meant the Albigenses, who were first by Dioclesian driven up into barren and mountainous places, and afterwards cruelly murdered by popish rage and power, for several generations; and for no other reason than because they kept the commandments of God and held the testimony of Jesus Christ. Their fidelity to God and Christ, in doctrine, worship, and practice, was that which exposed them to the rage of Satan and his instruments; and such fidelity will expose men still, less or more, to the end of the world, when the last enemy shall be destroyed.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv9–12 And the great dragon was cast out,.... From heaven,…
And the great dragon was cast out,.... From heaven, or from power and authority in the Roman empire, namely, the devil, where he had long presided; it is observable that Constantine himself speaks of "the dragon" being removed from the government of the commonwealth by the providence of God, and by the ministry, or means of him (m); and he had his own effigies on a table placed before the porch of his palace, with the cross over his head, and a dragon under his feet thrust through with darts, and falling headlong (n);
the old serpent; who is so called, because, of old, from the beginning, almost as soon as the world was, he appeared in the form of a serpent, or rather made use of it as an instrument and means, by which he seduced Eve, and so brought on the ruin of mankind, it is very usual with the Jews to call the devil , "the old serpent" (o); wherefore John uses this phrase as a known one, to explain who was meant by the great dragon:
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called the devil and Satan; the first of these names signifies an accuser, and a forger of calumnies, and such is the old serpent; he accuses God to men, as if he was envious of their happiness, as in the case of our first parents, and of men to God, of which there is an instance in the case of Job; and hence he is in Rev 12:10 called the accuser of the brethren; and the latter of them signifies an enemy, one that is filled with hatred and enmity to God and Christ, and to his church and people, whose adversary he is said to be, and at whose right hand he stands to resist, as he did Joshua the high priest:
which deceiveth the whole world; which he did by deceiving our first parents, from whom all mankind spring, and in whose loins they were when they were deceived; so the Jews say (p) of the old serpent, that , "he deceives the whole world"; and so he deceived and corrupted the old world before the flood; and so he seduces every age and generation of men in the world; but here the Roman empire, sometimes called all the world, as in Luk 2:1, is meant, whom Satan deceived by drawing it into idolatry and superstition;
he was cast out into the earth; he was cast out of the Roman empire, from the rule of it, and worship in it, the Heathen gods and Heathen emperors being no more; when he possessed and instigated, and influenced the Huns, Goths, and Vandals, a meaner and baser sort of people, hereafter in this chapter called the earth, which is said to help the woman, contrary to the intention of Satan; the phrase denotes the greatness of the fall of Satan, his loss of power, and the meanness and low estate of the persons he afterwards had the power of, both the savage people before mentioned, and the antichristian party:
and his angels were cast out with him; the Heathen emperors, magistrates, priests, and other votaries of his, which he made use of as instruments to do his will.
(m) Euseb. de Vita Constantini, l. 2. c. 46. (n) Ib. l. 3. c. 3. (o) T. Bab. Sota, fol. 9. 2. & Sanhedrin, fol. 29. 1. Imre Binah in Zohar in Gen. fol. 3. 1. & 15. 2. & passim, Raya Mehimna in Zohar in Exod. fol. 50. 1. Tzeror Hammor, fol. 7. 3. & 8. 2. & 26. 3. & 46. 1. & Caphtor, fol. 101. 2. (p) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 13. 3.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv9–12 And the great dragon was cast out - It…
And the great dragon was cast out - It is not yet said, unto the earth - He was cast out of heaven; and at this the inhabitants of heaven rejoice. He is termed the great dragon, as appearing here in that shape, to intimate his poisonous and cruel disposition. The ancient serpent - In allusion to his deceiving Eve in that form. Dragons are a kind of large serpent. Who is called the Devil and Satan - These are words of exactly the same meaning; only the former is Greek; the latter, Hebrew; denoting the grand adversary of all the saints, whether Jews or gentiles. He has deceived the whole world - Not only in their first parents, but through all ages, and in all countries, into unbelief and all wickedness; into the hating and persecuting faith and all goodness. He was cast out unto the earth - He was cast out of heaven; and being cast out thence, himself came to the earth. Nor had he been unemployed on the earth before, although his ordinary abode was in heaven.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv9–12 Verse 9. That old serpent] The rabbins speak much…
Verse 9. That old serpent] The rabbins speak much of this being, sometimes under the notion of הרע יצר yetser hara, the evil principle, and sometimes Samael.
He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.] This is very like a saying in the book Bahir, in Sohar Gen., fol. 27, col. 107: "And God cast out Samael and his troops from the place of their holiness."
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NOTES ON CHAP. XII., BY J. E. C.
Ver. 9. And the great dragon was cast out, c.] By the terms Devil and Satan mentioned in this verse, Pareus, Faber, and many other commentators, understand literally the great spiritual enemy of mankind. But this view of the passage cannot be correct, from the circumstance that it is the dragon which is thus called. Now, if by the dragon be meant the devil, then use are necessarily led to this conclusion, that the great apostate spirit is a monster, having seven heads and ten horns and also that he has a tail, with which he drags after him the third part of the stars of heaven. The appellations, old serpent, devil, and Satan, must, therefore, be understood figuratively. The heathen power is called that old serpent which deceived the whole world, from its subtlety against the Christians, and its causing the whole Roman world, as far as it was in its power, to embrace the absurdities of paganism. It is called the devil, from its continual false accusations and slanders against the true worshippers of God, for the devil is a liar from the beginning; and it is also called Satan, שטן, which is a Hebrew word signifying an adversary, from its frequent persecutions of the Christian Church. The dragon and his angels are said to be cast out, which is more than was said in the preceding verse. There mention is made of his being found no longer in heaven, or on the throne of the Roman empire, here he is entirely cast out from all offices of trust in the empire; his religion is first only tolerated, and then totally abolished, by the imperial power. This great event was not the work of a reign; it took up many years, for it had to contend with the deep-rooted prejudices of the heathen, who to the very last endeavoured to uphold their declining superstition. Paganism received several mortal strokes in the time of Constantine and his sons Constans and Constantius. It was farther reduced by the great zeal of Jovian, Valentinian, and Valens; and was finally suppressed by the edicts of Gratian, Theodosius I., and his successors. It was not till A.D. 388 that Rome itself, the residence of the emperor, was generally reformed from the absurdities of paganism; but the total suppression of paganism soon followed the conversion of the metropolitan city, and about A.D. 395 the dragon may be considered, in an eminent sense, to have been cast into the earth, that is, into a state of utter subjection to the ruling dynasty of Christian emperors.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv9–12 And the great dragon was cast out - See…
And the great dragon was cast out - See the notes on Rev 12:3. That there may be an allusion in the language here to what actually occurred in some far distant period of the past, when Satan was ejected from heaven, there can be no reason to doubt. Our Saviour seems to refer to such an event in the language which he uses when he says Luk 10:18, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven”; and Jude, perhaps Rev 12:6, may refer to the same event. All that we know on the subject leads us to suppose that at some time there was a revolt among the angels, and that the rebellious part were cast out of heaven, for an allusion to this is not infrequent in the Scriptures. Still the event here referred to is a symbolical representation of what could occur at a later period, when the church would be about to spread and he triumphant, and when Satan would wage a deadly war against it. That opposition would be as if he made war on Michael the archangel, and the heavenly hosts, and his failure would be as great as if he were vanquished and cast out of heaven.
That old serpent - This doubtless refers to the serpent that deceived Eve (Gen 3:1-11; Rev 20:2; compare the notes on 2Co 11:3); and this passage may be adduced as a proof that the real tempter of Eve was the devil, who assumed the form of a serpent. The word “old” here refers to the fact that his appearance on earth was at an early stage of the world’s history, and that he had long been employed in the work which is here attributed to him - that of opposing the church.
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Called the devil - To whom the name devil is given. That is, this is the same being that is elsewhere and commonly known by that name. See the notes on Mat 4:1.
And Satan - Another name given to the same being - a name, like the other, designed to refer to something in his character. See it explained in the notes on Job 1:6.
Which deceiveth the whole world - Whose character is that of a deceiver; whose agency extends over all the earth. See the Joh 8:44 note, and 1Jo 5:19 note.
He was cast out into the earth - That is, he was not suffered to pursue his designs in heaven, but was cast down to the earth, where he is permitted for a time to carry on his warfare against the church. According to the interpretation proposed above, this refers to the period when there were indications that God was about to set up his kingdom on the earth. The language, however, is such as would be used on the supposition that there had been, at some period, a rebellion in heaven, and that Satan and his followers had been cast out to return there no more. It is difficult to explain this language except on that supposition; and such a supposition is, in itself, no more improbable than the apostasy and rebellion of man.
And his angels were cast out with him - They shared the lot of their leader. As applicable to the state of things to which this refers, the meaning is, that all were overthrown; that no enemy of the church would remain unsubdued; that the victory would be final and complete. As applicable to the event from which the language is supposed to have been derived - the revolt in heaven - the meaning is, that the followers in the revolt shared the lot of the leader, and that all who rebelled were ejected from heaven. The first and the only revolt in heaven was quelled; and the result furnished to the universe an impressive proof that none who rebelled there would be forgiven - that apostasy so near the throne could not be pardoned.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v10 Now is come salvation....rejoice, O ye heavens. The blessed…
Now is come salvation....rejoice, O ye heavens. The blessed in heaven rejoice for the victories of the faithful on earth, and also for the reward and glory which would shortly be given them in heaven. (Witham) --- Woe to the earth, &c. Both Pastorini and Calmet refer this woe to the persecution of Dioclesian. The dragon, the devil, is more irritated than ever against the Christians; he therefore stimulates the pagans to exercise their utmost cruelty against them, knowing that a Christian emperor (Constantine) would in a short time extend the reign of Jesus Christ over the whole world.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv9–12 that old serpent--alluding to Gen 3:1, Gen 3:4.
that old serpent--alluding to Gen 3:1, Gen 3:4.
Devil--the Greek, for "accuser," or "slanderer."
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Satan--the Hebrew for "adversary," especially in a court of justice. The twofold designation, Greek and Hebrew, marks the twofold objects of his accusations and temptations, the elect Gentiles and the elect Jews.
world--Greek, "habitable world."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv9–12 9. Great dragon was cast out—As if with exultant…
9. Great dragon was cast out—As if with exultant feeling the seer reiterates the fact of his expulsion, giving his name in full, and making sure that we know that he is the very ancient devil. And when he emerges from his long concealment at Rev_20:2, he is identified with the same list of titles.
Cast out into the earth—From being a supreme ruler he is humbled to be an angry, groveling, earthly persecutor. Paganism ceased to be the religion of the Roman empire by the edict of Milan, under Constantine, A.D. 313, and its rites were prohibited by Theodosius the Great, A.D. 392. This was the completed downfall of the pagan dragon.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–12 9. cast out] “Out” is not expressed—the sense is…
9. cast out] “Out” is not expressed—the sense is rather “cast down.”
that old serpent] Gen_3:1. This is the only place in canonical Scripture (see, however, Wis_2:24) where we are told that the Tempter in Eden was the Devil: but it cannot be doubted that we are so told here.
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the Devil and Satan] The Greek word from which the former name is derived is regularly used in the LXX. as the representative of the latter: though the two are not quite synonymous, the Hebrew name meaning “the Adversary,” and the Greek “the Slanderer” (e.g. the same word is used in a general sense in 1Ti_3:11). “Satan” has the article here, as always in the O. T., except in the Book of Job; it is still rather a designation than a proper name. In Enoch xl. 7 we have it used in the plural in a passage very like this: “The fourth voice I heard expelling the Satans, and prohibiting them from coming into the presence of the Lord of spirits, to prefer accusations against the inhabitants of the earth.” The voice is afterwards explained to be that of Phanuel, the angel of penitence and hope.
he was cast out into the earth] St Luk_10:18, St Joh_12:31 throw light on what must be meant—a breaking of the power of the Devil by that of the Incarnate Lord: but we cannot be quite sure that our Lord speaks of the same fall of Satan in both passages, or in either of the same that St John describes.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv9–12 (9) And the great dragon . . .—Better, And…
(9) And the great dragon . . .—Better, And he was thrown down, the great dragon, the ancient serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan: he who deceives the whole world was thrown to the earth, and his angels were thrown with him. Thus the victory of Christ is marked by the overthrow of the great adversary. The stronger than the strong one has come, and taken away his armour (Luk_11:21-22). The death-blow is given. The prince of this world (who found nothing in Christ) is judged (Joh_16:11). The adversary is described as the dragon, the fierce and cruel foe who is ever ready to devour (1Pe_5:8). The ancient serpent. The serpent was used as an emblem of the evil principle. (Comp. Gen_3:1). But the head of the ancient foe of man is now bruised: he is the devil, the accuser and calumniator. He is called the accuser of the brethren in the next verse; he is Satan, the adversary, and he is the seducer, the deceiver, as he is a liar, and the father of it (Joh_8:44).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv9–12 And the great dragon was cast out, that old…
And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; c ast down (Revised Version); the whole inhabited earth (Revised Version, margin). "The dragon:" so called, because he is the destroyer (see on ver. 3). "The ancient serpent," as he was revealed in Ge 3. So in Joh_8:44 he is "the destroyer from the beginning." "The devil" (Diabolov) is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew Satan, mc, "the accuser, the adversary;" reference is made in ver. 10 to the signification of the name, "The Deceiver." Wordsworth says, "The deceits by which Satan cheated the world in oracles, sorcery, soothsaying, magic, and other frauds, are here specially noticed. These were put to flight by the power of Christ and of the Holy Ghost, in the preaching of the gospel by the apostles and others in the first ages of Christianity. Our Lord himself, speaking of the consequence of the preaching of the seventy disciples, reveals the spiritual struggle and the victory: "I was beholding Satan as lightning fall from heaven"." (Luk_10:17, Luk_10:18) He was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him; cast down to the earth, etc. (Revised Version). "To the earth" in a twofold sense:
(1) the phrase is a description of the loss of dignity and power on the part of Satan, in being cast to earth as opposed to heaven;
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(2) earth is the scene of his future operations, where he may still in some degree sustain the struggle against God.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On vv9, 10, 12 The great dragon.
Rev_12:9
The great dragon.
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., that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan.
The foes of God and of His Church
I. Our For Is A Personal One (Rev_12:9).
II. He Is An Old One. The devil sinneth from the beginning (1Jn_3:8; Joh_8:44).
III. He Is A Daring One.
IV. His Attempts Are Often Failures. The dragon warred and his angels, and they prevailed not (Rev_12:8).
V. He Is An Angry Foe. He hath great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time (Rev_12:12).
VI. He Is A Malicious One (Rev_12:13).
VII. He Is A Watchful And Crafty One (Rev_12:4; Rev_12:13; Rev_12:15), varying his methods according to the case in hand.
VIII. He Is A Circumscribed Foe. This chapter tells us of three limits put to him and to his power.
1. One, of space. He is cast down to earth. He is the God of this world (2Co_4:4).
2. A second, of time. A time, and times, and half a time.
3. There is yet a third limit, that of force. The earth helped the woman, etc. (Rev_12:16). We are taught in Scripture that there are five ways by which his power is restricted and his intention foiled.
(1) There is providential dispensation (Rev_12:6; Rev_12:14; Rev_12:16; 1Co_10:13).
(2) There is angelic ministry (Rev_12:7).
(3) There is the direct exertion of Christs commanding word (Mat_17:18).
(4) There is the counteracting power of Divine grace (2Co_12:9).
(5) There is the intercession of our Redeemer (Luk_22:31-32).
IX. He is a foe with whose devices we have to reckon in fighting the battle of life (Rev_12:17). Note--
1. He is one at whom we cannot afford to laugh, and whose existence we cannot afford to deny.
2. He is a foe before whom we need not quail.
3. He is a foe to whom not an inch of room should be given (Eph_4:27).
4. He is a foe for whose onsets we should prepare by a survey and appropriation of heavenly forces.
5. He is a foe on whose ultimate defeat and complete discomfiture we may surely and confidently reckon if we look to Jesus. (C. Clemance, D. D.)
Satan the great dragon
In calling him the dragon, the Holy Spirit seems to hint at his mysterious power and character. To us a spirit such as he is must ever be a mystery in his being and working. Satan is a mysterious personage though he is not a mythical one. We can never doubt his existence if we have once come into conflict with him; yet he is to us all the more real because so mysterious. If he were flesh and blood it would be far easier to contend with him; but to fight with this spiritual wickedness in high places is a terrible task. As a dragon he is full of cunning and ferocity. In him force is allied with craft; and if he cannot achieve his purpose at once by power, he waits his time. He deludes, he deceives; in fact, he is said to deceive the whole world. What a power of deception must reside in him, when under his influence the third part of the stars of heaven are made to fall, and myriads of men in all ages have worshipped demons and idols! He has steeped the minds of men in delusion, so that they cannot see that they should worship none but God, their Maker. He is styled the old serpent; and this reminds us how practised he is in every evil art. He was a liar from the beginning, and the father of lies. After thousands of years of constant practice in deception he is much too cunning for us. If we think that we can match him by craft we are grievous fools, for he knows vastly more than the wisest of mortals; and if it once comes to a game of policies, he will certainly clear the board, and sweep our tricks into the bag. To this cunning he adds great speed, so that he is quick to assail at any moment, darting down upon us like a hawk upon a poor chick. He is not everywhere present; but it is hard to say where he is not. He cannot be omnipresent; but yet, by that majestic craft of his, he so manages his armies of fallen ones that, like a great general, he superintends the whole field of battle, and seems present at every point. No door can shut him out, no height of piety can rise beyond his reach. He meets us in all our weaknesses, and assails us from every point of the compass. He comes upon us unawares, and gives us wounds which are not easily healed. But yet, powerful as this infernal spirit certainly must be, his power is defeated when we are resolved never to be at peace with him. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv10–12 10–12. Now is come salvation, etc. We have next…
10–12. Now is come salvation, etc. We have next the songs of triumph sung in heaven. “Now is come salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ. For the accuser of our brethren is cast down,” etc. These songs of triumph are always heard when the symbolism portrays any great triumph of righteousness. See 7:12; 11:15. The triumphant songs here seem to exult over the overthrow of Paganism in the fourth century.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
C. I. Scofield 1917 · Public Domain On vv9–10 world "oikoumene" = inhabited earth. (See Scofield "Luk 2:1").
world "oikoumene" = inhabited earth. (See Scofield "Luk 2:1").
angels (See Scofield "Heb 1:4").
The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv10–11 The word "I" refers to John.
I
The word "I" refers to John.
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I heard a loud voice in heaven
The word "voice" refers to someone who speaks. AT: "I heard someone saying loudly from heaven" (See: Metonymy)
Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ
God saving people by his power is spoken of as if his salvation and power were things that have come. God's ruling and Christ's authority are also spoken of as if they have come. AT: "Now God has saved his people by his power, God rules as king, and his Christ has all authority" (See: Metaphor)
have come
"have begun to really exist" or "have appeared" or "have become real." God is revealing these things because their time to occur has "come." It is not that they did not exist before.
the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down
This is the dragon that was thrown down in Revelation 12:9.
our brothers
Fellow believers are spoken of as if they were brothers. AT: "our fellow believers" (See: Metaphor)
day and night
These two parts of the day are used together to mean "all the time" or "without stopping" (See: Merism)
translationWords
voice
heaven
save
power
kingdom
God
authority
Christ
accuse
brother
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v10 12:10-11 Satan’s defeat is encouraging for Christians who, like…
12:10-11 Satan’s defeat is encouraging for Christians who, like the recipients of Revelation, are not afraid to die (see John 12:24-26).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.