Revelation 3:9 kjv

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Revelation 3:9 nkjv

Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie?indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

Revelation 3:9 niv

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars?I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

Revelation 3:9 esv

Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie ? behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

Revelation 3:9 nlt

Look, I will force those who belong to Satan's synagogue ? those liars who say they are Jews but are not ? to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

Revelation 3 verses

Revelation 3 9 Meaning

Revelation 3:9 conveys a divine promise to the faithful church in Philadelphia. Jesus assures them that their adversaries, who falsely claim a spiritual identity as God's true people but are agents of Satan, will be humbled and made to prostrate themselves before the Philadelphian believers. This act of submission will serve as an undeniable public acknowledgement of God's special love and favor for the Philadelphian church, validating their steadfastness despite their "little strength" and their adherence to Christ's word. It is a clear declaration of divine vindication for His true followers against false claimants.

Revelation 3 9 Context

Revelation 3:9 is part of the letter from Jesus to the church in Philadelphia, one of the seven churches of Asia Minor. This letter, found in Revelation 3:7-13, highlights the Philadelphian church's faithfulness despite their "little strength" (Rev 3:8). They had kept Jesus' word and had not denied His name. The letter follows a pattern of commendation, challenge (implicit, as there is no rebuke), and promise. The promise in verse 9 directly addresses a specific source of opposition the church faced: a group identifying as "Jews" but who are characterized by Jesus as the "synagogue of Satan" and liars. Historically, these would likely be Jewish communities in Philadelphia who not only rejected Jesus as Messiah but possibly persecuted or slandered Jewish Christians or Gentile believers who confessed Christ. They might have used their established religious identity to oppress or exclude believers, emphasizing their status as "God's chosen people." In this context, Jesus’ promise serves as profound vindication and comfort, affirming that the true covenant people of God are those who believe in Him, not merely those with an ethnic or traditional claim. The verse speaks to the ultimate triumph of Christ's faithful church over spiritual adversaries who stand against the truth of the Gospel.

Revelation 3 9 Word analysis

• Behold (ἰδοὺ, idou): A Greek interjection meaning "look!" or "see!" It's used to draw emphatic attention to a significant statement or impending event, highlighting the certainty and importance of the divine promise that follows.
• I will make (ποιήσω, poiēsō): This verb signifies decisive, intentional action. It conveys Christ's sovereign authority and assured future intervention to bring about the promised event.
• those of the synagogue of Satan (τοὺς ἐκ τῆς συναγωγῆς τοῦ σατανᾶ, tous ek tēs synagōgēs tou satana):
  • synagogue (συναγωγῆς, synagōgēs): Refers to a gathering or assembly, particularly a Jewish house of worship. In the context of the seven churches, it points to local Jewish communities.
  • of Satan (τοῦ σατανᾶ, tou satana): "Satan" (Σατανᾶς) means "adversary" or "accuser." This phrase indicates that while these individuals might have outwardly been a "synagogue," their actions and rejection of Christ align them with God's ultimate adversary, not with God. It implies spiritual opposition, persecution, and slander originating from demonic influence, even if through human instruments. This powerful description suggests these are not simply mistaken individuals, but those actively opposing Christ's church by an adversarial spirit.
• who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie (λέγοντας Ἰουδαίους εἶναι καὶ οὐκ εἰσὶν ἀλλὰ ψεύδονται, legontas Ioudaious einai kai ouk eisin alla pseudontai):
  • Jews (Ἰουδαῖος, Ioudaios): Literally refers to people of Jewish ethnic descent and religious tradition.
  • say... and are not, but lie: This phrase highlights a fundamental spiritual truth: merely claiming a title or heritage does not equate to the reality of one's spiritual standing before God. The emphasis is on spiritual identity and truthfulness versus outward claims. In New Testament theology, particularly Paul's, true "Judaism" or spiritual kinship with Abraham comes through faith in Christ, not mere physical descent or adherence to ritual without faith. These individuals falsely claim an identity as God's chosen people while operating in opposition to His true people (the church) and His Anointed One.
• I will make them come and bow down before your feet (ποιήσω αὐτοὺς ἥξουσιν καὶ προσκυνήσουσιν ἐνώπιον τῶν ποδῶν σου, poiēsō autous hēxousin kai proskynēsousin enōpion tōn podōn sou):
  • come (ἥξουσιν, hēxousin): Denotes arrival or approach.
  • bow down (προσκυνήσουσιν, proskynēsousin): This word signifies an act of prostration or adoration, commonly used for worshipping God or showing extreme reverence/submission to a king. Here, it indicates a compelled, public act of humble submission and acknowledgement. This imagery evokes Old Testament prophecies where hostile nations or individuals would eventually come and show homage to Israel, recognizing God's hand on His chosen people (e.g., Isa 45:14, 49:23, 60:14). It is a reversal of fortunes.
  • before your feet: A posture of complete subjugation and acknowledgment of superior authority and favor. It emphasizes their total humbling before those they once persecuted or scorned.
• and they will know that I have loved you (καὶ γνώσονται ὅτι ἐγὼ ἠγάπησά σε, kai gnōsontai hoti egō ēgapēsa se):
  • will know (γνώσονται, gnōsontai): This refers to a profound, experiential recognition or realization, not merely intellectual assent. They will undeniably perceive the reality of Christ's favor and distinction upon the church.
  • I have loved you (ἠγάπησά σε, ēgapēsa se): Christ's divine love (ἀγάπη, agape) is highlighted. This love is the basis for His choice, vindication, and protective favor over the Philadelphia church. The use of the aorist tense (ἠγάπησα) can emphasize the definitive nature of this love, either as a singular act of choosing with lasting results, or a love demonstrated in the past (e.g., Christ's redemptive work) whose reality is now revealed. This knowledge will serve as clear validation to all observers.

Revelation 3 9 Bonus section

The imagery of enemies bowing down before God's people is deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecies concerning Israel's future glory and the ultimate recognition of God's presence among them. This promise in Revelation 3:9 applies these prophecies to the faithful New Testament church, signifying that the promises and blessings once directed towards physical Israel, concerning the recognition of God's presence, are now manifest through those who are truly "spiritual Israel" – the church faithful to Christ. This verse thus speaks powerfully to the ongoing truth that the true people of God are identified not by lineage or external observance, but by their intimate relationship and unwavering faithfulness to Jesus Christ. It offers a blueprint for how God will ultimately distinguish His own in the midst of spiritual warfare and opposition, culminating in the public revelation of His devoted love for them.

Revelation 3 9 Commentary

Revelation 3:9 is a powerful promise of divine vindication for the Philadelphia church, illustrating God’s justice and steadfast love for His faithful. It addresses the identity conflict and persecution faced by early believers, particularly from within established Jewish communities that rejected Christ and opposed Christians. The term "synagogue of Satan" is not an indictment of all Jewish people or synagogues, but specifically targets those assemblies whose opposition to Christ's followers was so vehement and deceptive that it aligned them with Satan’s agenda against God's true kingdom. Jesus clarifies that true spiritual lineage and favor belong to those who believe in Him, rather than to those who merely possess an ethnic or institutional title without spiritual reality. The prophecy of adversaries bowing before the believers signifies a dramatic reversal of status, where the once-scorned and persecuted are elevated, and the persecutors are publicly humbled. This humbling serves a crucial purpose: it forces the adversaries to acknowledge unequivocally that God's favor and love are definitively with the church in Philadelphia, recognizing Christ's unique choice and affection for them. This provides immense comfort and encouragement, assuring persecuted believers that their faith will be visibly honored and their steadfastness rewarded in the eyes of their opponents and the world.