Revelation 13:17 - Printer Friendly

ESV: so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.

NIV: so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.

NASB: and he decrees that no one will be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.

CSB: so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark: the beast's name or the number of its name.

NLT: And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.

KJV: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

NKJV: and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

This verse continues to describe the False Prophet's implementation of the "mark of the beast." This comes from a Greek word, charagma, which is used to describe the branding of livestock. The purpose of this mark is to identify the bearer as one loyal to the Antichrist. Other statements in the book of Revelation make it clear that true believers will reject this mark (Revelation 20:4), and those who take it are knowingly rejecting God and His gospel (Revelation 14:9–11). In other words, the mark is not something "innocent" people will be tricked into accepting.

When the False Prophet successfully brands unbelievers with a mark on the right hand and on the forehead, everyone will be required to display it in order to purchase anything—from a can of corn to a classy car. No one will be able to sell a hot dog or a house without possessing the mark of the beast.

Some speculate that the transition towards a cashless society hints at the meaning of the mark of the beast. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted in lieu of cash in many instances. With a credit card we can purchase almost anything. In some cases, RFID chips or other forms of identification can be linked to personal data and bank accounts. These can even be implanted, such as into the hand or the forehead (Revelation 13:16). This, again, shows how modern technology might fit into these predictions. Or, at least, that these concepts are well within man's capability.

We cannot say, for sure, what the form or function of the mark of the beast will be. Scripture does not give enough details to be sure. Without the mark, however, a person's life will be all but cut off from modern society. He will not be able to buy food or gain medical attention or find shelter or sell anything. Imposing the mark of the beast on people will be an incredibly evil act.

This verse also ties the mark to the name—or the "number of the name"—of the beast. This introduces, in verse 18, the infamous and often-debated 666.

Revelation 13:11–18 focuses on the second beast of this chapter, the last of seven major figures described in this part of Revelation. This figure is most often labelled as the ''False Prophet.'' While the first beast came from the sea, this one comes from the land. The earth is often equated with Israel, leading many to believe the False Prophet will be ethnically Jewish. The second beast poses as a lamb but speaks like a dragon. It's possible to identify this beast, rather than the first, as the ''antichrist'' because every reference to antichrist or the spirit of antichrist in the New Testament has a religious context (1 John 4:1, 3, 6; 2 John 1:7). Whereas the first beast is a political ruler, the second beast is a religious figure who deceives many. This passage also introduces the controversial and ominous ''mark of the beast.''

This chapter exposes two evil men, ''beasts'' who serve the Devil. The first beast arises from the sea, presumably the Mediterranean. The second beast arises from the land, possibly Israel. The first beast dominates the final form of the Roman Empire and sets himself up as a god to be worshiped. This first figure is the one most often labelled as ''Antichrist.'' The second beast acts as prophet, priest, and king in Israel. As such, he imitates Christ, but he is a False Prophet. This corrupted religious leader sets up an image of the first beast in the temple and commands everyone to worship it. The false prophet executes those who refuse to worship the image. Further, he causes everyone to receive the name or the number of the first beast on the right hand or on the forehead. Without this identifying mark, no one can buy or sell. The number of the beast is 666.

Revelation 13 introduces the last two major figures described in this extended section. Two ''beasts,'' which are actually evil, powerful men, corrupt Israel by forcing idolatry on everyone. While not explicitly given these names in the Bible, the two men mentioned here are most often referred to as the Antichrist and the False Prophet. Later, The Lord sends the northern aggressor into Israel to punish their idolatry. This text also mentions two other infamous concepts: the mark of the beast, and the number 666, which are mentioned in later verses as identifying those who have rejected God in favor of Satan. Related Scriptures are Exodus 20:1–6; Daniel 2:31–43; 7:1–8; and Revelation chapters 9 and 12.

The word ''revelation'' means ''an unveiling or disclosure.'' This writing unveils future events such as the rapture, three series of judgments that will fall on the earth during the tribulation, the emergence of the Antichrist, the persecution of Israel and her amazing revival, as well as Jesus' second coming with His saints to the earth, the judgment of Satan and his followers, and finally, the eternal state. This content, combined with the original Greek term apokalypsis, is why we now refer to an end-of-the-world scenario as ''an apocalypse.''