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Revelation 13:7

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 13:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
Revelation 13:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? And who is able to war with him?
5and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.
6And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, [even] them that dwell in the heaven.
7And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
8And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, [every one] whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.
9If any man hath an ear, let him hear.
10If any man [is] for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
← Revelation 13:6Revelation 13:8 →
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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 it was given unto him to make war with the saints, etc.] The remnant of the woman's seed, (<661217>Revelation 12:17), whom God has set apart for himself, Christ has cleansed from sin by his blood, and the Holy Spirit has sanctified by his grace; and who under the influence of it live holy lives and conversations; against such Satan always bore an enmity; and it is an aggravation of the wickedness of the Romish antichrist, that he makes war with such, which he is stirred up to by Satan, with a malicious intent, and is permitted by God for the trial of the faith and patience of his people: this war of antichrist, with the saints, may be understood not merely spiritually, of his anathemas,…”
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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
“power--Greek, "authority." all kindreds . . . tongues . . . nations--Greek, "every tribe . . . tongue . . . nation." A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, ANDREAS, and PRIMASIUS add "and people," after "tribe" or "kindred."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And it was given unto him - By the same power that taught him to blaspheme God and his church. See the notes on Revelation 13:2, Revelation 13:5. To make war with the saints - See this fully illustrated in the notes on the parallel passage in Daniel 7:21, and at the end of that chapter, (f). And to overcome them - In those wars. This was abundantly fulfilled in the wars with the Waldenses, the Albigenses, and the other sincere followers of the Saviour in the time of the papal persecutions. The language used here is the same as what is found in Daniel 7:21; “The same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them.” See the notes on that passage. And power was given him - See the…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“13:7 The beast’s authority extends over all the people of the world.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“to make: Rev 11:7, Rev 12:17; Dan 7:21, Dan 7:25, Dan 8:24, Dan 8:25, Dan 11:36-39, Dan 12:1 and power: Rev 10:11, Rev 11:18, Rev 17:15; Exo 9:16; Isa 10:15, Isa 37:26; Jer 25:9, Jer 27:6, Jer 27:7; Jer 51:20-24; Dan 5:18-23; Luk 4:6; Joh 19:11 Revelation 13:8”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification