Rev 13:13-17 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 13:13-15: 13:13-15 In New Testament times, false prophets astounded people with reports of divine visitations and of idols speaking for the gods they represented (see Acts 16:16-18 ; 1 Cor 12:2-3 ). Such practices involved worship of demons (see 1 Cor 10:20-21 ) and were epitomized in the Roman emperor cult. Those who refused to conform were put to death.

a13:13-15►

bActs 16:16-18►

c1 Cor 12:2-3►

d1 Cor 10:20-21►

e13:14-15►

f13:16-17►

g14:9►

h11►

i19:20►

j20:4►

k13:18►

‏ Revelation of John 13:13-17

Summary for Rev 13:13-15: 13:13-15 ^a In New Testament times, false prophets astounded people with reports of divine visitations and of idols speaking for the gods they represented (see Acts 16:16-18 ^b; 1 Cor 12:2-3 ^c). Such practices involved worship of demons (see 1 Cor 10:20-21 ^d) and were epitomized in the Roman emperor cult. Those who refused to conform were put to death.
Summary for Rev 13:14-15: 13:14-15 ^e he was allowed. ... He was then permitted: God never relinquishes ultimate authority. These creatures of evil have been allowed to rebel against God, but they are not in control.
Summary for Rev 13:16-17: 13:16-17 ^f small and great, rich and poor, free and slave: All humanity is required to accept the beast’s evil mark of ownership (see 14:9 ^g, 11 ^h; 19:20 ⁱ; 20:4 ^j), a precondition for all commerce (the right to buy or sell). The text does not explicitly tell us what the mark is or looks like.

• On the right hand or on the forehead suggests the branding of slaves—the beast owns them.

• the number representing his name: In both Hebrew and Greek, letters of the alphabet represent numbers, which gave names a numerical value (13:18 ^k).