Revelation 16:13 kjv
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Revelation 16:13 nkjv
And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs coming out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Revelation 16:13 niv
Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Revelation 16:13 esv
And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs.
Revelation 16:13 nlt
And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.
Revelation 16 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 12:9 | The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan. | Identifies the dragon as Satan |
| Rev 20:2 | He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan. | Reinforces the identity of the dragon |
| Rev 13:1 | I saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns... | Describes the beast (first beast) |
| Rev 13:11 | I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. | Describes the false prophet (second beast) |
| Rev 19:20 | And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him... | Conflation and end of the beast and false prophet |
| Ex 8:6 | And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up... | The plague of frogs in Egypt |
| Deut 18:20 | But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded... | Condemnation of false prophecy |
| Zech 13:2 | And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols... and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land. | Prophecy of unclean spirits being banished |
| Acts 8:7 | For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them... | Unclean spirits as demonic entities |
| 1 Tim 4:1 | Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; | Warning against deceptive spirits |
| 2 Thess 2:9-10 | Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness... | Satan's deception through the lawless one |
| Matt 24:24 | For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. | Warning of widespread deception by false prophets |
| Jer 23:16 | Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain... | Warning against deceptive words of false prophets |
| 2 Pet 2:3 | And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you... | Warning against deceptive speech for gain |
| Rev 16:14 | For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. | Clarifies the purpose of the spirits |
| Rev 19:19 | And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. | The culmination of the gathering |
| Gen 3:1 | Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field... | Early instance of Satan's deception |
| 2 Cor 11:13-15 | For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ... for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. | Satan's ministers and deceptive transformations |
| Gal 1:8 | But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. | Warning against deceptive gospels |
| Matt 28:19 | Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: | The Divine Holy Trinity as a contrast |
Revelation 16 verses
Revelation 16 13 Meaning
Revelation 16:13 reveals a vision of three unclean spirits, resembling frogs, emanating from the mouths of a malevolent triad: the dragon (Satan), the beast (antichrist/antichrist kingdom), and the false prophet. This imagery signifies a unified, deceptive spiritual force, originating from these entities, designed to gather the kings of the earth for the final conflict against God. It highlights a deliberate, organized demonic propaganda campaign in the end times.
Revelation 16 13 Context
Revelation chapter 16 describes the outpouring of the seven bowls of God's wrath upon the earth, representing the final series of divine judgments before Christ's return. Verse 13 is specifically placed after the sixth bowl judgment, which dries up the river Euphrates, preparing the way for the kings from the east. This verse acts as an interlude, explaining the supernatural force behind the gathering of the world's armies for the decisive battle of Armageddon (mentioned in verse 16). Historically, John wrote Revelation during a time of intense Roman imperial cult worship and persecution of Christians, creating a cultural backdrop where political and religious deception were powerful tools. The imagery here would have strongly resonated with his audience as a depiction of satanic efforts to consolidate opposition to God, mimicking the tripartite Roman authority but for evil ends.
Revelation 16 13 Word analysis
- And I saw: John's direct observation as revealed by God. This signifies a vision, a revealed truth, not speculation.
- three: A symbolic number, contrasting the Divine Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). This signifies a counterfeit, unholy "trinity" of evil: dragon, beast, false prophet, acting in wicked unity.
- unclean spirits: (Gk. pneumata akatharta) - Literally "impure spirits." These are demonic entities, agents of Satan, characterized by moral defilement, spiritual pollution, and opposition to God. Their nature is intrinsically evil and deceitful.
- like frogs: (Gk. hos batrachoi) - The simile carries multiple layers of meaning. In Exodus 8, frogs were a plague upon Egypt, signifying defilement, loathsomeness, and an inescapable nuisance. Culturally, frogs were sometimes associated with deities or prophecies but often with foulness, the grotesque, and persistent noise. Here, it signifies the pervasive, irritating, and defiling nature of the deceptive propaganda, croaking loudly with lies to drown out truth.
- come out of the mouth: (Gk. ek tou stomatos) - The mouth is the organ of speech, declaration, and influence. This signifies that the spirits are products or agents of the deceptive words, doctrines, and commands issuing from the unholy triad. It's the source of their wicked authority and persuasive power.
- of the dragon: (Gk. tou drakontos) - Identified in Rev 12:9 as Satan, the Devil, and the ancient serpent. He is the ultimate source of evil and the orchestrator of spiritual rebellion.
- and out of the mouth of the beast: (Gk. tou thēriou) - Refers to the first beast of Rev 13, the political and imperial power animated by Satan. This entity represents the anti-Christ global governmental system or individual leader.
- and out of the mouth of the false prophet: (Gk. tou pseudoprophētou) - Refers to the second beast of Rev 13, who resembles a lamb but speaks like a dragon. This entity represents the religious and cultural arm of the unholy trinity, performing deceptive signs and compelling worship of the beast.
Word-Group Analysis:
- three unclean spirits: A concentrated force of evil, operating in a pseudo-trinity, indicating a unified demonic campaign. Their uncleanness highlights their opposition to God's holiness and their capacity to defile spiritually.
- like frogs come out of the mouth: Emphasizes the repulsive, pervasive, and deceptive nature of the spirits' message and influence. Like the insistent croaking of frogs, the propaganda is constant and annoying, aimed at capturing attention and leading astray. It is the output of the dragon's deception, the beast's authority, and the false prophet's lies.
- mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet: This specifies the origin and unity of the deceptive influence. These three entities—Satan (spiritual instigator), the Antichrist (political manifestation), and the False Prophet (religious/propaganda arm)—work in concert, spewing forth these demonic agents to accomplish their evil ends. Their combined "mouths" represent a singular, coordinated stream of anti-God messaging and supernatural manipulation.
Revelation 16 13 Bonus section
The demonic influence described here isn't physical coercion but a deceptive, persuasive power, drawing kings and nations into an allegiance with the anti-God system. The spirits are said to "work miracles" (Rev 16:14), lending credibility to the unholy trinity's message and actions. This echoes earlier warnings in scripture about deceptive signs and wonders performed by false prophets (Matt 24:24; 2 Thess 2:9). The global scope—"unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world"—highlights the universal nature of this final deception, demonstrating Satan's relentless pursuit of maximum human allegiance against God before the triumphant return of Christ. This reveals that the battle of Armageddon, while involving human armies, is fundamentally a cosmic conflict where spiritual forces manipulate worldly powers.
Revelation 16 13 Commentary
Revelation 16:13 is a powerful portrayal of the final stages of satanic deception and opposition to God's reign. The imagery underscores the spiritual nature of the coming global conflict, revealing that the assembling of armies is not merely a geopolitical maneuver but orchestrated by demonic forces. These "unclean spirits" act as a conduit for the unholy trinity's influence, spreading a message of falsehood and rebellion designed to delude the nations into fighting against the Lamb. The comparison to "frogs" vividly illustrates their character: foul, annoying, and persistently propagating lies that permeate every corner, mimicking God's pervasive presence with Satan's invasive pollution. This verse warns believers against being swept away by persuasive, but fundamentally evil, spiritual and political narratives in the last days. It emphasizes that ultimate conflict is spiritual warfare manifested on earth.