Bible Strands
Revelation 2:13
I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits, yet you hold fast to My name. You did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of My faithful witness Antipas, who was killed among you where Satan dwells.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The speaker, identified in the preceding verse as the One holding the sharp double-edged sword, addresses the angel of the church in Pergamum. This declaration occurs within a sequence of letters to seven churches, positioned between a commendation and a specific rebuke.
The words — The supplied Greek lists οἶδα (oida) as "I know" and κατοικεῖς (katoikeis) as "you dwell," establishing the speaker's direct awareness of the church's physical location. These terms anchor the subsequent acknowledgment of the believers' steadfastness in a hostile environment.
The thread — The pattern of divine knowledge regarding a community's location and spiritual condition appears in Revelation 2:9 and Revelation 3:8, where the speaker similarly declares "I know" regarding affliction and deeds. The warning against abandoning faith under pressure parallels the standard in 1 Timothy 5:8 regarding denial through neglect.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that allegiance to Christ remains viable despite residing in a place designated as Satan's throne. It requires the reader to accept that maintaining faith is a concrete choice, validated by the martyrdom of Antipas and demanded of the community.
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
I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
Cross-references
- 1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
- Revelation 2:9 I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.
- Revelation 3:8 I know your deeds. Behold, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. I know that you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.
- Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
- Acts 22:20 And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
- 2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us;
- Matthew 24:9 Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.
- 2 Timothy 1:13 Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
- Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
- Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I made every effort to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt it necessary to write and urge you to contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.