Revelation 12 17

Revelation 12:17 kjv

And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:17 nkjv

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Revelation 12:17 niv

Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring?those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.

Revelation 12:17 esv

Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.

Revelation 12:17 nlt

And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children ? all who keep God's commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.

Revelation 12 verses

Revelation 12 17 Meaning

Revelation 12:17 signifies the unwavering continuation of Satan's war against God and His people, specifically targeting those who remain faithful to Christ after his defeat and expulsion from heaven. The dragon, Satan, turns his wrath upon believers who exhibit two distinct characteristics: their obedience to God’s commands and their steadfast proclamation and experience of Jesus’ testimony. This verse sets the stage for the intense persecution and spiritual conflict that God's faithful followers will endure in the latter days.

Revelation 12 17 Context

Revelation Chapter 12 describes a symbolic cosmic struggle between the dragon (Satan) and a woman (representing God's covenant people, often understood as Israel and, by extension, the Church) who gives birth to a male child (Jesus Christ). After the male child is caught up to God’s throne, and the woman is supernaturally protected in the wilderness, Satan is cast out of heaven to the earth. Enraged by his defeat and knowing his time is short, the dragon initially attempts to destroy the woman directly but fails. Unable to defeat God's plan through Christ or the "woman" herself, his wrath then turns specifically to "the rest of her offspring," those who share the faith of Jesus. This verse marks a significant transition, detailing Satan’s shifted focus from direct opposition to Christ's heavenly ascent to the intensified earthly persecution of those who belong to Him. The historical context reflects early Christian persecution under the Roman Empire, where refusal to worship the emperor and adherence to Christ alone would lead to hostility and martyrdom. The imagery serves as both a prophetic warning and an encouragement for believers facing severe opposition.

Revelation 12 17 Word analysis

• Then (καὶ - kai): A conjunction, indicating a consequence or continuation from the preceding events, specifically Satan's casting down and failure to destroy the woman directly. It signals a new phase of his attack.
• the dragon (ὁ δράκων - ho drakōn): Identified earlier in Rev 12:9 as "that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan." It is the prime biblical adversary of God and His people, symbolizing chaos, evil, and destructive power. This specific title emphasizes its demonic and terrifying nature.
• was enraged (ὠργίσθη - ōrgisthē): From orgizō, meaning to become angry or filled with wrath. It indicates intense, uncontrolled fury. This is a visceral reaction from Satan, highlighting his extreme malice and frustration after his ultimate defeat in heaven and his failure to thwart God's plans.
• at the woman (ἐπὶ τῇ γυναικί - epi tē gunaiki): The woman symbolizes God's people from whom the Messiah came and those who comprise the New Covenant people of God. Satan's rage is still directed at her, even if his immediate target shifts.
• and went off (καὶ ἀπῆλθεν - kai apēlthen): He withdrew from his direct, failed pursuit of the woman and redirect his malicious efforts. This implies a strategic shift in his warfare.
• to wage war (ποιῆσαι πόλεμον - poiēsai polemon): "To make war." This phrase signifies active, sustained hostility, not just passive anger. Satan initiates a deliberate and organized campaign. This is a cosmic conflict with real-world implications.
• against the rest of her offspring (μετὰ τῶν λοιπῶν τοῦ σπέρματος αὐτῆς - meta tōn loipōn tou spermatos autēs): "The rest" or "the remnant" indicates those who remain of the woman's line after the Messiah's ascension and her protection. "Her offspring" (σπέρμα - sperma) in a general sense can refer to descendants, but in biblical and covenant contexts (e.g., Gen 3:15), it signifies those who inherit the promise or characteristic qualities of the original, here implying spiritual heirs of the woman's faith, believers in Christ. These are believers whom the dragon can attack on earth.
• —those who keep (τοὺς τηροῦντας - tous tērountas): The present participle emphasizes continuous action; this is a distinguishing characteristic, an ongoing commitment. "Keep" (τηρέω - tēreō) means to observe, obey, guard, or preserve.
• God’s commands (τὰς ἐντολὰς τοῦ Θεοῦ - tas entolas tou Theou): Refers to the commandments given by God, encompassing His moral law and precepts for righteous living. This indicates a life of obedience and holiness.
• and hold fast to (καὶ ἔχοντας - kai echontas): Literally "and having" or "holding." It suggests possessing something as a continuous state or actively maintaining it. It denotes firmness, steadfastness, and active confession.
• the testimony (τὴν μαρτυρίαν - tēn martyrian): From marturia, meaning witness, evidence, or testimony. This is not just a passive belief but an active declaration or bearing witness, often implying suffering for that witness, leading to the term "martyr."
• of Jesus (Ἰησοῦ - Iēsou): This refers to both Jesus’ own testimony (what He said and revealed) and the testimony about Jesus (the believers' proclamation of Him, often at great cost). In Rev 19:10, it is linked with the "spirit of prophecy," implying inspired utterance for Christ.

Revelation 12 17 Bonus section

The twin identifiers for the targeted offspring – keeping God's commands and holding the testimony of Jesus – form a crucial theological pairing throughout Revelation, especially in identifying the faithful remnant (e.g., Rev 14:12; 20:4). "Keeping God’s commands" ties back to the Law and the Prophets, emphasizing ethical conduct and righteous living that pleases God, distinct from the world’s practices. "The testimony of Jesus" signifies a profound connection to Christ—it is Christ's truth witnessed to by believers, Christ as their testimony, and Christ through them. Some interpretations further expand "the testimony of Jesus" to be Christ's own enduring prophetic revelation to and through His people, empowered by the Holy Spirit (as indicated in Rev 19:10). This implies a dynamic, Spirit-filled witness that cuts against the prevailing false doctrines and spiritual blindness of the age. This two-fold characteristic describes the uncompromising loyalty of those who embody the essence of the Church as faithful witnesses and obedient disciples, making them primary targets for spiritual warfare.

Revelation 12 17 Commentary

Revelation 12:17 reveals the enemy's calculated, intense, and redirected attack. Defeated in his grand schemes against Christ in heaven and the protected Church, Satan now focuses his venomous war on individual believers on earth. The "rest of her offspring" are not an elite group but all those who align themselves with the "woman's" spiritual heritage by embracing Christ. Their distinguishing marks are clear: practical obedience to God's divine principles and a courageous, unwavering witness to Jesus Christ. This verse profoundly defines true discipleship in times of trial—it is not merely about professing faith, but about living it out in daily submission to God's will and fearlessly proclaiming Jesus, even unto death. This highlights the cost of discipleship and assures believers that persecution is an expected, though ultimately futile, part of Satan's war against God's faithful. It reinforces that their suffering for righteousness and for the name of Jesus is meaningful, contributing to their witness and steadfastness.