Bible Strands
Revelation 13:17
so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator describes a universal economic restriction imposed by the second beast on all people, regardless of social or economic status. This enforcement occurs within the apocalyptic vision as the beast's authority is actively established.
The words — The Greek ἵνα (ina) introduces a restrictive purpose clause, while δύνηται (dunētai) and ἀγοράσαι (agorasai) literally mean "may be able to buy." These terms establish a conditional capability tied directly to possession of the mark.
The thread — The economic restriction echoes the universal scope of the mark in Revelation 13:16 and anticipates the eternal consequence for those who submit in Revelation 14:11. The text frames this control as a prerequisite for participation in daily commerce.
Why it lands — The passage demands a clear assessment of what grants economic survival versus what demands spiritual allegiance. It requires the reader to recognize that compliance with the mark directly dictates the ability to participate in society.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Cross-references
- Revelation 13:16 And the second beast required all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
- Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”
- Revelation 15:2 And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God,
- Revelation 22:4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
- Revelation 13:18 Here is a call for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666.
- Revelation 14:9 And a third angel followed them, calling out in a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on his forehead or on his hand,
- Revelation 3:12 The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.
- Revelation 17:5 And on her forehead a mysterious name was written: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.