Revelation 2:9 kjv

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9 nkjv

"I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9 niv

I know your afflictions and your poverty?yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9 esv

"'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Revelation 2:9 nlt

"I know about your suffering and your poverty ? but you are rich! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you. They say they are Jews, but they are not, because their synagogue belongs to Satan.

Revelation 2 verses

Revelation 2 9 Meaning

Revelation 2:9 conveys Jesus' direct address to the church in Smyrna, affirming His intimate knowledge of their suffering. He acknowledges their severe "tribulation" and apparent "poverty" in worldly terms, yet immediately counters this by declaring them spiritually "rich." The verse then shifts to address a hostile group within Smyrna, labeling their slander against the Christians as "blasphemy." These accusers are described as self-proclaimed Jews who are not truly so in God's eyes, but rather operate as a "synagogue of Satan," indicating their true spiritual allegiance and destructive influence.

Revelation 2 9 Context

Revelation chapter 2 details Christ's letters to four of the seven churches in Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira. These letters serve as specific messages addressing the unique spiritual condition, challenges, and virtues of each church.

The church in Smyrna received a letter of pure commendation, standing in stark contrast to other churches that received mixed reviews or direct rebuke. Smyrna was a major Roman port city, economically significant and a center of imperial cult worship, demanding allegiance to the Roman emperor. This environment presented a formidable challenge to Christians who refused to worship Caesar as a god, making them targets for accusation and persecution, often initiated by hostile Jewish communities who saw Christianity as a rival religion and denounced believers to Roman authorities. This historical context illuminates the specific "tribulation" and "poverty" experienced by the Smyrnaean Christians, often stemming from social and economic ostracization due to their faith. The immediate threat of martyrdom, exemplified by Polycarp, an early bishop of Smyrna, underscores the intensity of their suffering.

Revelation 2 9 Word analysis

• I know (οἶδά, oida): This Greek word denotes a deep, experiential knowledge, not just intellectual awareness. It signifies Christ's complete omniscience and empathetic understanding of their situation. He knows their struggles intimately. This contrasts with superficial assessments based on outward appearances.
• your tribulation (σου τὴν θλῖψιν, sou tēn thlipsin): Thlipsis means pressure, affliction, distress, or severe persecution. It literally implies being pressed or squeezed. This accurately describes the intense social, economic, and physical persecution the Smyrnaean Christians faced. It speaks of tangible hardships.
• and poverty (καὶ τὴν πτωχείαν, kai tēn ptōcheian): Ptōcheia refers to absolute destitution or beggary, not just lack of material wealth. This highlights the severe economic consequences of their faithfulness—they were likely dispossessed, unable to work, or Boycotted by society due to their Christian confession.
• but you are rich (ἀλλὰ πλούσιος εἶ, alla plousios ei): This is a powerful paradox. Despite their physical destitution, Christ declares them spiritually wealthy. This spiritual richness transcends earthly possessions and refers to their integrity, faith, faithfulness, perseverance, and perhaps the eternal rewards awaiting them. It points to a reversal of worldly values.
• and the blasphemy (καὶ τὴν βλασφημίαν, kai tēn blasphēmian): Blasphēmia means slander, calumny, or malicious gossip, often implying verbal abuse that defames or desecrates. Here, it refers to the malicious falsehoods and defamatory accusations spread against the Christians by their opponents, likely involving accusations of atheism (for not worshipping Roman gods), cannibalism (misinterpreting communion), or sedition.
• of those who say (τῶν λεγόντων, tōn legontōn): Refers to self-proclamation or assertion, implying that their claim is empty or false in essence, despite their verbal declaration.
• they are Jews (ἑαυτοὺς Ἰουδαίους, heautous Ioudaious): This group self-identified as ethnically and religiously Jewish, presumably adhering to Mosaic law and traditions. They likely maintained their religious distinctiveness in Smyrna and exerted social or legal pressure against Christians.
• and are not (καὶ οὐκ εἰσὶν, kai ouk eisin): A categorical denial by Christ. He strips them of their self-proclaimed identity. From God's spiritual perspective, their claim to be true Jews is false. This resonates with NT themes of spiritual Israel vs. ethnic Israel (e.g., Rom 2:28-29).
• but are a synagogue of Satan (ἀλλὰ συναγωγὴ τοῦ Σατανᾶ, alla synagōgē tou Satana): This is a damning and radical spiritual indictment. A synagōgē (synagogue) means an assembly or gathering. By calling them a "synagogue of Satan," Christ asserts that this group, despite its religious claims and structure, is actually an assembly operating under the direct influence and authority of Satan, serving his agenda to oppose Christ and His followers. This signifies a complete perversion of their spiritual purpose.

Revelation 2 9 Bonus section

The intense denunciation of "those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan" does not condemn ethnic Judaism per se, but rather targets a specific, highly antagonistic group within Smyrna who actively opposed Christ and His followers. This aligns with New Testament teaching that true spiritual identity transcends ethnic or nationalistic claims (Rom 2:28-29; Gal 3:28). This "synagogue of Satan" would reappear in the letter to the church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:9), indicating a persistent, severe antagonism from some Jewish communities towards Christians in Asia Minor. Their actions went beyond theological disagreement; they actively caused material hardship and instigated persecution, serving as conduits for satanic opposition against the nascent Christian community. This extreme language highlights the grave spiritual nature of such opposition to the Gospel.

Revelation 2 9 Commentary

Revelation 2:9 provides profound insight into Christ's discerning care for His suffering church. Jesus' declaration, "I know," underscores His intimate understanding of the Smyrnaean believers' plight. This isn't just passive observation; it's the personal, empathetic knowledge of the Son of God, who Himself endured suffering. He identifies two distinct, yet interconnected, aspects of their hardship: severe "tribulation" (persecution and pressure) and literal "poverty." This economic hardship likely stemmed directly from their persecution—ostracism, confiscation of property, and inability to engage in trade or commerce due to their refusal to participate in pagan rituals.

Crucially, Jesus immediately counterbalances their material deprivation with a powerful spiritual affirmation: "but you are rich." This paradox highlights a core biblical truth—God's values often invert worldly assessments. While the world may view the Smyrnaean church as destitute and struggling, Christ recognizes their enduring faith, perseverance, and devotion as true and invaluable riches, leading to an eternal reward. This richness is spiritual and unshakable, contrasting sharply with the fleeting nature of worldly wealth.

The second part of the verse directly addresses the source of much of their external suffering: "the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." This is one of the New Testament's strongest condemnations of a religious group. The term "blasphemy" here means malicious slander or defamation directed at God's people. This group, identifying themselves as Jews, likely used their religious standing to denounce Christians to Roman authorities, accusing them of sedition or other crimes, fueling persecution. Christ’s declaration that they "are not" truly Jews emphasizes that their ethnic or religious heritage did not align with a true spiritual relationship with God; their actions directly opposed God's Messiah and His followers. The culminating judgment, "but are a synagogue of Satan," identifies them as tools of the adversary, acting in concert with demonic forces to oppose God's purposes. This spiritual identification reveals that their opposition was not merely human religious difference but a manifestation of evil spiritual warfare against Christ's church. This serves as a warning that not all who claim a religious identity are genuinely connected to God; some can be instruments of His ultimate enemy.