Revelation 13:11

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 13:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto lamb, and he spake as a dragon.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Revelation 13:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

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 I beheld another beast, etc.] The same with the first, only in another form; the same for being and person, but under a different consideration; the same antichrist, but appearing in another light and view: the first beast is the pope of Rome, at the head of the ten kingdoms, of which the Roman empire consisted; this other beast is the same pope of Rome, with his clergy, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, etc. before he is described as a temporal monarch, now as a spiritual lord; there he is represented in his secular character, as having the seat, power, and authority of the dragon, of Rome Pagan, engaging the attention and wonder of the whole world, and striking terror into…”
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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
“another beast--"the false prophet." out of the earth--out of society civilized, consolidated, and ordered, but still, with all its culture, of earth earthy: as distinguished from "the sea," the troubled agitations of various peoples out of which the world power and its several kingdoms have emerged. "The sacerdotal persecuting power, pagan and Christian; the pagan priesthood making an image of the emperors which they compelled Christians to worship, and working wonders by magic and omens; the Romish priesthood, the inheritors of pagan rites, images, and superstitions, lamb-like in Christian professions, dragon-like in word and act" [ALFORD, and so the Spanish Jesuit, LACUNZA, writing under…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And I beheld another beast - Compare the notes on Revelation 13:1. This was so distinct from the first that its characteristics could be described, though, as shown in the Analysis of the Chapter, there was in many points a strong resemblance between them. The relations between the two will be more fully indicated in the notes. Coming up out of the earth - Prof. Stuart renders this, “ascending from the land.” The former was represented as rising up out of the sea Revelation 13:1; indicating that the power was to rise from a perturbed or unsettled state of affairs - like the ocean. This, from what was more settled and stable - as the land is more firm than the waters. It may not be necessary…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:11-18 another beast: This second beast, the third member of the evil trinity (see study note on 12:18–13:18), is later called the “false prophet” (16:13). As a high priest of false religion, he leads the world into worshiping the first beast and the dragon (see also 16:13-14). 13:11 The beast is portrayed as a lamb, the same symbol used to represent Christ (see 5:6-13; 7:9-17; 14:1-4), but this lamb spoke like a dragon. The image is of a fraudulent messiah. • The two horns might stand for two emperors, perhaps Nero and Domitian.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“coming: Rev 13:1, Rev 11:7, Rev 17:8 and he had: Mat 7:15; Rom 16:18; Co2 11:13-15 and he spake: Rev 13:17, Rev 12:3, Rev 12:4, Rev 12:17, Rev 17:6; Dan 7:8, Dan 7:24, Dan 7:25; Th2 2:4 Revelation 13:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification