Bible Strands
Revelation 20:5
The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years were complete. This is the first resurrection.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John records a vision of thrones and martyrs reigning with Christ, then specifies the status of the remaining dead in relation to this millennial period. The statement functions as a chronological marker within the apocalyptic sequence he is documenting.
The words — The terms λοιποὶ (loipoi, "rest") and νεκρῶν (nekrōn, "dead") isolate the specific group excluded from the initial resurrection. The verb ἔζησαν (ezēsan, "lived" or "came to life") combined with ἄχρι (achri, "until") establishes a strict temporal boundary for their awakening.
The thread — The delayed awakening of the remaining dead echoes the dry bones vision in Ezekiel 37:2 and Jesus’ promise of a "resurrection of the righteous" in Luke 14:14. Paul similarly anticipates this general raising in Philippians 3:11.
Why it lands — The text defines the first resurrection as a completed phase that precedes the revival of the rest of the dead, separating the two groups chronologically. It requires the reader to accept that the thousand-year reign marks a specific interval in the resurrection sequence rather than a single simultaneous event.
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
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Cross-references
- Philippians 3:11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
- Ezekiel 37:2 He led me all around among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, and indeed, they were very dry.
- Luke 14:14 and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
- Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”
- Romans 11:15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
- Revelation 11:11 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them.
- Revelation 19:20 But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
- Revelation 20:8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—to assemble them for battle. Their number is like the sand of the seashore.