Revelation 9:20 kjv
And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
Revelation 9:20 nkjv
But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk.
Revelation 9:20 niv
The rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood?idols that cannot see or hear or walk.
Revelation 9:20 esv
The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,
Revelation 9:20 nlt
But the people who did not die in these plagues still refused to repent of their evil deeds and turn to God. They continued to worship demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood ? idols that can neither see nor hear nor walk!
Revelation 9 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rev 2:21 | "I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality." | God gives time for repentance. |
| Rev 16:9 | "...they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory." | Unrepentance amidst direct judgment. |
| Rev 16:11 | "...they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores and did not repent of their deeds." | Stubborn refusal to repent. |
| Rom 2:4-5 | "...God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart..." | Divine kindness rejected, leads to hardened heart. |
| Heb 3:7-19 | "...Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion... the bodies of those who sinned fell in the wilderness." | Warnings against hardening hearts like Israel. |
| Isa 1:5 | "Why will you still be struck down? Why will you continue to rebel?" | Suffering does not always lead to repentance. |
| Jer 5:3 | "O Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You have struck them down, but they felt no anguish..." | Refusal to accept discipline. |
| Amos 4:6-11 | "...Yet you did not return to me," declares the Lord. | Repeated judgments fail to bring repentance. |
| Exod 20:3-5 | "You shall have no other gods before me... You shall not make for yourself a carved image..." | First and Second Commandments: against idolatry. |
| Deut 4:28 | "There you will serve gods of wood and stone, the work of human hands, that neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell." | Futility of idols made by human hands. |
| Ps 115:4-7 | "Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak..." | Detailed critique of lifeless idols. |
| Ps 135:15-17 | "The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands... They have ears, but do not hear..." | Similar critique emphasizing idol impotence. |
| Isa 44:9-20 | "All who fashion idols are nothing, and the things they delight in will not profit..." | Scathing portrayal of idol making and worship. |
| Jer 10:3-5 | "...for the customs of the peoples are vanity... It is like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak..." | Denunciation of empty idol traditions. |
| Hab 2:18-19 | "What profit is an idol when its maker has shaped it, a metal image... Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, ‘Awake!'" | Woe pronounced on idol worship. |
| Deut 32:17 | "They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known..." | Pagan worship is an offering to demons. |
| 1 Cor 10:20-21 | "...What pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God..." | Directly links idolatry with demonic worship. |
| Isa 2:8 | "Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made." | Ubiquity of man-made idols. |
| Mic 5:13 | "and I will cut off your carved images and your pillars from your midst, and you shall no more worship the work of your hands." | God promises to abolish idolatry. |
| Acts 17:29 | "Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man." | Condemns the creation of God in human image. |
Revelation 9 verses
Revelation 9 20 Meaning
Revelation 9:20 describes the chilling persistence of unrepentant human behavior despite profound divine judgment. After enduring the catastrophic effects of the sixth trumpet plague, a segment of humanity—those who survived the previous judgments—refused to turn from their sin. Specifically, they continued their practice of worshipping demons through man-made idols constructed from various precious metals and common materials, acknowledging the inherent powerlessness and lifelessness of these false gods. This verse underscores the extreme hardness of the human heart that can remain defiantly set against God even in the face of His wrath, prioritizing the worship of creation over the Creator.
Revelation 9 20 Context
Revelation 9:20 is found within the "Trumpet Judgments" section (Rev 8:6-11:19), specifically following the description of the fifth and sixth trumpet judgments. These judgments are partial in nature, afflicting humanity with great torment but generally not leading to widespread death, unlike the final bowl judgments. The fifth trumpet released locust-like creatures that tormented men for five months (Rev 9:1-12), and the sixth trumpet unleashed a massive cavalry that killed a third of mankind (Rev 9:13-19).
The immediate context of verse 20 reveals the surprising, yet deeply tragic, human response to these terrifying and painful events: despite experiencing firsthand the destructive power of divine wrath, those who survived did not repent. This highlights the profound stubbornness and hardness of the unregenerate heart. From a broader perspective, it underscores that God's judgments, while severe, are also a call to repentance (e.g., Rom 2:4). However, here, that call is rejected.
Historically and culturally, the world of the Roman Empire, where the original audience lived, was saturated with polytheistic worship. Every city, guild, and family had patron gods, shrines, and festivals dedicated to idols made of various materials. Emperor worship was also prevalent, compelling allegiance to Caesar. Revelation's strong denunciation of idolatry would have resonated deeply with Christians facing immense pressure to conform to these practices. The explicit mention of "demons" behind the "idols" reveals a crucial polemic: worship of any other deity or created thing is ultimately yielding oneself to demonic influence, contrasting starkly with the worship of the one true and living God.
Revelation 9 20 Word analysis
- And the rest of the men: Refers to those who were not killed by the preceding trumpet judgments. This group represents a significant portion of humanity who directly experienced God's severe but still restrained wrath. It highlights a common characteristic of humanity in Revelation—even survivors refuse to turn.
- which were not killed by these plagues: Emphasizes the selective nature of the previous judgments. God's purpose was not total annihilation, but chastisement and an opportunity for repentance. Yet, even facing such an impactful display of power, human will resisted change.
- yet repented not: (Greek: ou metenoēsan) This is a crucial phrase. Metanoia (repentance) signifies a change of mind, leading to a change in direction or action. The negation (ou) indicates a conscious and obstinate refusal. It signifies a profound spiritual hardening, where pain and loss do not soften the heart but rather entrench it further in rebellion.
- of the works of their hands: This phrase directly links human rebellion to man-made worship objects. It signifies a deliberate rejection of the transcendent, invisible God in favor of objects created by human effort and skill, implicitly glorifying human capability over divine majesty.
- that they should not worship: States the intended purpose of the repentance: to cease their false worship. The emphasis here is on the breaking of their idolatrous practices.
- devils: (Greek: daimonia) This term refers to demons or evil spirits, often associated in the New Testament with idolatry. It signifies that behind the physical idol, there are spiritual entities seeking worship and allegiance, pointing to the underlying spiritual warfare in pagan worship.
- and idols: (Greek: eidōla) Refers to images or statues used in pagan worship. This term carries a negative connotation, often implying an empty, false, or powerless representation of deity.
- of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: These specific materials highlight the common, physical substances used to fashion idols in ancient cultures. Their mention underscores that, regardless of how valuable or commonplace the material, the idol itself remains a lifeless object crafted by human hands, possessing no inherent divine power or consciousness.
- which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: (Greek: oute blepein dynantai oute akouein oute peripatein) This phrase is a direct polemic against idolatry, echoing numerous Old Testament passages (e.g., Ps 115:4-7; Isa 44:9-20; Jer 10:3-5). It emphatically highlights the absolute impotence, lifelessness, and ultimate absurdity of worshipping man-made objects. Such worship renders the worshiper as spiritually blind, deaf, and immobile as the idol they adore.
Revelation 9 20 Bonus section
The mention of "the works of their hands" extends beyond mere physical statues to encompass all forms of human achievements, systems, or creations that are elevated to the status of ultimate good or objects of trust and worship, taking the place of God. This includes materialistic pursuits, self-sufficiency, political ideologies, and technological advancements when they become sources of ultimate trust and security. The consistent theme in Revelation of increasing judgment being met with persistent unrepentance underscores the concept of spiritual hardening, where the heart becomes increasingly impervious to God's warnings and kindness alike. This hardening culminates in a willful allegiance to falsehood and the powers of darkness rather than yielding to truth and the sovereignty of God.
Revelation 9 20 Commentary
Revelation 9:20 delivers a somber theological statement on the obstinacy of the unrepentant human heart in the face of divine judgment. Despite enduring horrifying plagues and catastrophic loss, the survivors refused to turn from their foundational sin of idolatry. This isn't just about images; it's about the refusal to submit to the true God. The verse reveals that the root of their idolatry is not ignorance, as they cling to "works of their hands" and recognize their lifelessness ("neither can see, nor hear, nor walk"). Rather, it's a defiant rejection of the living God, choosing instead to align with the "demons" behind the idols, indicating a spiritual perversion and bondage. This highlights the paradox of humanity’s condition: divine judgment, intended to call forth repentance, is met with deeper hardening, showcasing the profound depth of human depravity and spiritual rebellion that resists even God’s most forceful calls to change.