Revelation 2:13 kjv

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Revelation 2:13 nkjv

"I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Revelation 2:13 niv

I know where you live?where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city?where Satan lives.

Revelation 2:13 esv

"'I know where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.

Revelation 2:13 nlt

"I know that you live in the city where Satan has his throne, yet you have remained loyal to me. You refused to deny me even when Antipas, my faithful witness, was martyred among you there in Satan's city.

Revelation 2 verses

Revelation 2 13 Meaning

This verse conveys Jesus Christ's intimate knowledge of the challenging spiritual environment in which the Pergamene church resided. He commends them for their unwavering loyalty to His identity and for steadfastly upholding their faith, even amidst intense spiritual darkness symbolized by "Satan's throne" and "where Satan lives." Their faithfulness was highlighted by their refusal to deny Him, even in the face of the recent martyrdom of one of their own, Antipas. It is a powerful affirmation of enduring faith despite living in a stronghold of the enemy.

Revelation 2 13 Context

Revelation 2:13 is part of the second letter Christ dictates to John for the seven churches in Asia Minor, specifically addressed to the church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17). Christ, introduced with the sharp two-edged sword (signifying His discerning judgment and powerful word), first commends the Pergamene believers before addressing their failings. The commendation in verse 13 sets the stage by establishing the extreme spiritual pressure they were under due to their geographical location and its pervasive idolatry.

Pergamum was the capital of the Roman province of Asia, making it a highly significant political and cultural center. Crucially, it was also a major hub for various pagan cults, including those of Zeus, Athena, Dionysus, and especially Asclepius, the god of healing whose symbol was a snake entwined around a staff. More significantly, Pergamum was a center for imperial cult worship; it was the first city in Asia to host a temple dedicated to the emperor (Augustus) and later built two more. Emperor worship involved forced public declarations of Caesar's divinity, creating direct conflict for Christians who affirmed Jesus Christ as Lord. The pervasive idolatry, coupled with official state-sponsored paganism, rendered Pergamum a spiritual stronghold of Satan, leading to intense persecution and even martyrdom for believers.

Revelation 2 13 Word analysis

• I know (οἶδα, oida): Signifies an intimate, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual awareness. Jesus deeply understands their circumstances and suffering.
• where you live (ποῦ κατοικεῖς, pou katoikeis): Highlights the permanency of their dwelling. This hostile environment isn't a temporary stop but their constant residence.
• where Satan’s throne is (ὅπου ὁ θρόνος τοῦ Σατανᾶ ἐστιν, hopou ho thronos tou Satana estin):
  • Satan (Σατανᾶς, Satanas): The Greek transliteration of the Hebrew śāṭān, meaning "adversary" or "accuser." The personal name of the chief spiritual adversary of God and humanity.
  • throne (θρόνος, thronos): A seat of authority, dominion, and rule. Its presence in Pergamum suggests this city was a focal point or headquarters of Satan's earthly operations and authority, marked by pervasive paganism, idolatry, and anti-God activities, especially emperor worship. The specific local candidate for this "throne" is widely debated among scholars, with the Great Altar of Zeus or the temple to Asclepius being common proposals.
• yet you remain true to my name (καὶ κρατεῖς τὸ ὄνομά μου, kai krateis to onoma mou):
  • remain true / hold fast (κρατεῖς, krateis): Denotes a strong, firm, persistent grip or adherence, active and deliberate.
  • my name (τὸ ὄνομά μου, to onoma mou): Represents the entire identity, character, authority, and divine essence of Jesus Christ. To hold fast to His name means unwavering allegiance to Him as Lord, God, and Savior, refusing any competing claims.
• You have not renounced your faith in me (καὶ οὐκ ἠρνήσω τὴν πίστιν μου, kai ouk ernēsō tēn pistin mou):
  • not renounced / not denied (οὐκ ἠρνήσω, ouk ernēsō): A strong negative emphasis. This contrasts directly with the pressure to publicly deny Christ and acknowledge other gods or the emperor. It implies courageous public confession.
  • your faith in me (τὴν πίστιν μου, tēn pistin mou): Refers to their steadfast trust, loyalty, and belief in Jesus as their Messiah and Lord.
• not even in the days of Antipas (οὐδὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Ἀντιπᾶ, oude en tais hēmerais Antipā):
  • not even (οὐδὲ, oude): Underscores the extreme nature of the challenge that could have led to denial.
  • Antipas (Ἀντιπᾶς, Antipas): A specific, likely well-known, martyr of the Pergamene church. His death served as a terrifying example of the consequences of Christian faith, yet it did not break their resolve. His name possibly translates as "against all" or "against the father."
• my faithful witness (ὁ μάρτυς μου ὁ πιστός, ho martus mou ho pistos):
  • witness (μάρτυς, martus): The origin of the English word "martyr." One who testifies to the truth, even unto death.
  • faithful (πιστός, pistos): Loyal, dependable, true to his testimony and the Lord. Jesus Himself is called "the faithful witness" (Rev 1:5, 3:14), suggesting Antipas's witness mirrored Christ's own.
• who was put to death (ὃς ἀπεκτάνθη, hos apektanthē): Passive voice indicates he was executed by others.
• in your city (παρ' ὑμῖν, par' hymin): Emphasizes the immediacy and local nature of the martyrdom, deeply impacting the community.
• where Satan lives (ὅπου ὁ Σατανᾶς κατοικεῖ, hopou ho Satanas katoikei): Repetition of the initial warning, intensifying the depiction of Pergamum's spiritual darkness. Satan not only holds power there but actively resides there.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "I know where you live, where Satan's throne is": Christ establishes His omniscient presence and compassionate understanding of their specific, dire geographical and spiritual circumstances. This is a profound affirmation for the persecuted church.
• "yet you remain true to my name. You have not renounced your faith in me": This twin commendation highlights their active and passive faithfulness. They actively "held fast" to Christ's identity and passively "did not deny" their allegiance to Him, demonstrating internal conviction matched by outward refusal to compromise.
• "not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city": This clarifies the severe testing ground of their faithfulness. The martyrdom of Antipas was a chilling, recent event within their own community, serving as a powerful test case. His recognition as "my faithful witness" elevates his sacrifice and honors his loyalty, connecting his testimony to Christ's own.
• "where Satan lives": The reiteration of Satan's residence emphasizes the deeply entrenched and active spiritual battle. This wasn't merely a place of general evil, but a concentrated seat of the enemy's power.

Revelation 2 13 Bonus section

• Pergamum's Asclepius Cult: One prominent candidate for "Satan's throne" is the sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of healing, famous for its association with serpents (symbols frequently used for Satan in Revelation, e.g., Rev 12:9). People flocked from all over to this "medical center" where patients supposedly had healing dreams. To early Christians, venerating a god represented by a serpent, and the occult-like practices associated with it, could be easily linked to demonic influence.
• The Altar of Zeus: Another strong candidate for "Satan's throne" is the massive Altar of Zeus, situated prominently on Pergamum's acropolis, overlooking the city. Its immense size and a focus on sacrificing animals (a direct competition to biblical worship) made it a symbolic rival to God's own altar.
• Martyrdom and Witness (μάρτυς): The direct Greek translation of martus is "witness." Only later did the term specifically connote one who dies for their faith. Antipas's death established him as a "faithful witness" in the most ultimate sense, inspiring others through his unwavering testimony. This links to Jesus Himself, the ultimate "faithful witness" (Rev 1:5).
• Divine Approval: The fact that Christ uses such strong words of commendation ("you remain true," "you have not renounced") despite the immense pressure highlights the extraordinary faithfulness of the Pergamene believers. Their loyalty under such duress made them shine in His eyes.

Revelation 2 13 Commentary

Revelation 2:13 offers profound commendation to the church in Pergamum, whose exceptional faithfulness stands out against the backdrop of unparalleled spiritual adversity. Jesus acknowledges that they reside in "Satan's throne," a vivid metaphorical description of a city saturated with paganism, idolatry, and especially the compulsory worship of the Roman emperor. This environment demanded ultimate loyalty to Caesar, clashing directly with Christian devotion to Christ alone. Yet, the Pergamene believers are lauded for their unwavering grip on Christ's name and their courageous refusal to deny their faith. Their steadfastness was proven not in a hypothetical scenario, but through the crucible of real persecution, evidenced by the brutal martyrdom of Antipas, who bravely served as Christ's "faithful witness." This verse underscores Christ's intimate knowledge of His suffering church, His valuing of their loyalty, and the possibility of enduring radical opposition through divine strength. It serves as an encouragement to believers in any era who face hostile cultural pressures, reminding them that faithfulness under pressure is a deeply honored quality in the eyes of Christ.