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Revelation 12:8

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 12:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Revelation 12:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5And she was delivered of a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and unto his throne.
6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that there they may nourish her a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels [going forth] to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels;
8And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.
9And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
10And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night.
11And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And prevailed not, etc.] That is, the dragon, or the devil, and his angels, prevailed not against Michael and his angels; but, on the other hand, were conquered by them, as the above tyrants were by Constantine and Theodosius: some copies read in the singular number, “and he prevailed not”, as the Alexandrian copy, the Complutensian edition the Arabic and Ethiopic versions; and other copies in the plural number, “they prevailed not”: and as the Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions: neither was their place found any more in heaven; in the Roman empire; or “his place”, as some copies and versions: this was the time of the judgment of the world, or of the empire as Pagan; Satan the prince of the…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“prevailed not--A and Coptic read, "He prevailed not." But B and C read as English Version. neither--A, B, and C read, "not even" (Greek, "oude"): a climax. Not only did they not prevail, but not even their place was found any more in heaven. There are four gradations in the ever deeper downfall of Satan: (1) He is deprived of his heavenly excellency, though having still access to heaven as man's accuser, up to Christ's first coming. As heaven was not fully yet opened to man (Joh 3:13), so it was not yet shut against Satan and his demons. The Old Testament dispensation could not overcome him. (2) From Christ, down to the millennium, he is judicially cast out of heaven as the accuser of the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And prevailed not - Satan and his angels failed in their purpose. Neither was their place found any more in heaven - They were cast out, and were seen there no more. The idea is, that they were defeated and driven away, though for a time they were suffered to carry on the warfare elsewhere. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he prevailed not - The dragon himself is principally mentioned; but his angels, likewise, are to be understood. Neither was this place found any more in heaven - So till now he had a place in heaven. How deep a mystery is this! One may compare this with Luk 10:18; Eph 2:2; Eph 4:8; Eph 6:12. Revelation 12:9”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“prevailed not: Rev 12:11; Psa 13:4, Psa 118:10-13, Psa 129:2; Jer 1:19, Jer 5:22; Mat 16:18; Rom 8:31-39 their: Job 7:10, Job 8:18, Job 20:9, Job 27:21-23; Psa 37:10; Act 1:25; Jde 1:6 Revelation 12:9”
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Related study paths

Read Revelation 12 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification