Revelation 13:4-6
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
4 They worshiped the dragon because it gave its authority to the beast; they also worshiped the beast[a] and said, “Who can compare with the beast or who can fight against it?”
5 [b]The beast was given a mouth uttering proud boasts and blasphemies,(A) and it was given authority to act for forty-two months.[c] 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling and those who dwell in heaven.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 13:4 Worshiped the beast: allusion to emperor worship, which Domitian insisted upon and ruthlessly enforced. Who can compare with the beast: perhaps a deliberate parody of the name Michael; see note on Rev 12:7.
- 13:5–6 Domitian, like Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Dn 7:8, 11, 25), demanded that he be called by divine titles such as “our lord and god” and “Jupiter.” See note on Rev 11:2.
- 13:5 Forty-two months: this is the same duration as the profanation of the holy city (Rev 11:2), the prophetic mission of the two witnesses (Rev 11:3), and the retreat of the woman into the desert (Rev 12:6, 14).
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