Revelation 2:20

Translations

Modern

But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Traditional

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Literal

But I have against you that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, the one calling herself a prophetess and teaching and leading astray My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols.

Latin

Sed habeo adversus te pauca: quia permittis mulierem Jezabel, quæ se dicit propheten, docere, et seducere servos meos, fornicari, et manducare de idolothytis.

Original

Greek

English

But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

Notes

Revelation 2:20–21

The mention of Jezebel, who led Israel into idol worship and immoral behavior (1 Kings 16:31–33; 21:5–26), highlights a serious issue. Like the Old Testament queen who led the worship of Baal (see 1 Kings 16:31; 18:4; 19:1–3), this unknown Jezebel claimed to be a prophet but was leading God's people into immorality. This included sexual misconduct and forming idolatrous alliances and actions (Exodus 34:15–16; Psalm 106:39; Isaiah 57:7–8).

Revelation 2:18–29

The letter to the church in Thyatira warns Christians against combining their faith with pagan practices and worldly behaviors.

Revelation 2:1–3:22

The seven messages to the seven churches show the condition of Christ's church when Revelation was written, and it is similar today. God still calls Christians to be faithful and honest. Those who listen to Christ's message will receive God's promised rewards. Those who do not will face judgment.

Theme notes and profiles

Jezebel Apostasy and Renewal Early Christian Heresies Family, Community, and Sexual Sin God’s Judgment of His People Letters to the Seven Churches The Gift of Prophecy Visions

Related verses

Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.
1 Kings 16:31
And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal.
1 Corinthians 10:18–21
Consider the people of Israel: Are not those who eat the sacrifices fellow partakers in the altar?
2 Kings 9:7
And you are to strike down the house of your master Ahab, so that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets and the blood of all the servants of the LORD shed by the hand of Jezebel.
Acts 15:29
You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.
Acts 15:20
Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.
2 Kings 9:30–37
Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window.
1 Kings 21:23–25
And the LORD also speaks concerning Jezebel: ‘The dogs will devour Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’
Revelation 2:4
But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love.
1 Kings 19:1–2
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
1 Corinthians 8:10–12
For if someone with a weak conscience sees you who are well informed eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged to eat food sacrificed to idols?
Exodus 34:15
Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices.

Parallels

Acts 16:11–15

People

Jezebel: Queen of Israel; wife of King Ahab

Glossary

Ancient Letter Writing Book of Revelation Conversion Jezebel Nicolaitans

Topics

Adultery: General Scriptures Concerning Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate Alliance and Society with the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Backsliders: Churches of Asia Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Church: Backslidden False Prophets: Women Sometimes Acted As Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Licentiousness of Jezebel: Figurative Lukewarmness: Thyatira Prophetesses: Jezebel The Affections: False Teachers Seek to Captivate The Jezebel Spirit

Revelation 2:20

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