Revelation 2:24

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 2:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden.
Revelation 2:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24But to you I say, to the rest that are in Thyatira, as many as have not this teaching, who know not the deep things of Satan, as they are wont to say; I cast upon you none other burden.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, etc.] The copulative and is left out in the Alexandrian copy and Complutensian edition, and if retained, it may be rendered thus, “even unto the rest”; the persons spoken to are the same, the pastor of this church, with his colleagues, and all the rest of the faithful in it; which shows that this epistle, and so the rest, were not written to the pastors only, but to the churches; and that the pastor and his colleagues, with others, were free from the abominable errors and corruptions before spoken of; and that, in the worst of times, God does, and will reserve a people for himself, who are described as follows: as many as have not this…”
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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
“you . . . and . . . the rest--The three oldest manuscripts omit "and"; translate then, "Unto you, the rest." as many as have not--not only do not hold, but are free from contact with. and which--The oldest manuscripts omit "and"; translate, "whosoever." the depths--These false prophets boasted peculiarly of their knowledge of mysteries and the deep things of God; pretensions subsequently expressed by their arrogant title, Gnostics ("full of knowledge"). The Spirit here declares their so-called "depths," (namely, of knowledge of divine things) to be really "depths of Satan"; just as in Rev 2:9, He says, instead of "the synagogue of God," "the synagogue of Satan." HENGSTENBERG thinks the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira - The word - “and” - καὶ kai - is omitted in many mss. and versions, and in the critical editions of Griesbach, Tittmann, and Hahn, and the connection demands that it should be omitted. As it stands in the received text, it would seem that what he here says was addressed to those who had received that doctrine, and to all others as well as to them; whereas the declaration here made pertains manifestly to those who had not received the doctrine. With that particle omitted the passage will read, as rendered by Prof. Stuart, “But I say unto you, the remainder in Thyatira, so many as hold not this doctrine,” etc. That is, he addresses now all…”
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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
“But I say to you who do not hold this doctrine - Of Jezebel. Who have not known the depths of Satan - O happy ignorance! As they speak - That were continually boasting of the deep things which they taught. Our Lord owns they were deep, even deep as hell: for they were the very depths of Satan. Were these the same of which Martin Luther speaks? It is well if there are not some of his countrymen now in England who know them too well! I will lay upon you no other burden - Than that you have already suffered from Jezebel and her adherents. Revelation 2:25”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:24 The depths of Satan might be a striking reference to the Gnostic god named “Depth” (Bythos), who with his partner “Silence” (Sigē) formed a philosophic godhead. Gnosticism placed great emphasis on secret knowledge.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the depths: Rev 12:9, Rev 13:14; Co2 2:11, Co2 11:3, Co2 11:13-15; Eph 6:11, Eph 6:12; Th2 2:9-12 I will: Act 15:28 Revelation 2:25”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification