Revelation 9:20

Translations

Modern

Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

Traditional

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:

Literal

And the rest of the men who were not killed in these plagues did not even repent of the works of their hands so that they will not worship the demons and the golden and silver and bronze and stone and wooden idols, which are able neither to see nor to hear nor to walk.

Latin

Et ceteri homines, qui non sunt occisi in his plagis, neque pœnitentiam egerunt de operibus manuum suarum, ut non adorarent dæmonia, et simulacra aurea, et argentea, et ærea, et lapidea, et lignea, quæ neque videre possunt, neque audire, neque ambulare,

Original

Greek

English

Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

Notes

Revelation 9:20–21

Even when faced with plagues and death, people do not automatically repent. They often continue their evil actions and worship demons and idols (things from the created world) instead of worshiping the Creator (see Revelation 13:4; 14:9–10; Romans 1:25; 1 Corinthians 8:4; 10:19–22).
murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, and theft: What people worship reflects how they live (see Revelation 21:8; 22:15; Romans 1:23, 29–32).
Revelation shows how strongly sin controls people who do not believe. It is not logical for people to worship powers or beings that harm, torture, or kill them. Yet sin and rebellion against God can deceive people and draw them in with great power.

Revelation 9:1–21

The fifth and sixth trumpets show how God's judgment affects people worldwide and highlight how worthless it is to resist God. These judgments should lead to repentance, but they do not. Sin controls people so much that they choose to worship the evil forces that harm them instead of repenting and turning to God.

Revelation 8:2–11:19

The second series of judgments involves seven trumpets. Like the first series (Revelation 6:1–8:1), it includes a pause (10:1–11:14; compare 7:1–17) and concludes with a view of God's eternal kingdom (11:15–19; see 7:9–8:1).
The trumpet judgments are similar to the ten plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7:14–11:10). They aim to show that earthly gods (or evil powers) are powerless and to clearly demonstrate God's power and control.

Theme notes and profiles

The Purpose of the Judgments Visions

Related verses

Daniel 5:23
Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.
Deuteronomy 31:29
For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and turn from the path I have commanded you. And in the days to come, disaster will befall you because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke Him to anger by the work of your hands.”
1 Timothy 4:1
Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons,
Romans 1:21–23
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.
Jeremiah 1:16
I will pronounce My judgments against them for all their wickedness, because they have forsaken Me, and they have burned incense to other gods and worshiped the works of their own hands.
Acts 19:26
And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.
Revelation 9:21
Furthermore, they did not repent of their murder, sorcery, sexual immorality, and theft.
Jeremiah 10:14–15
Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them.
2 Corinthians 12:21
I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery.
1 Corinthians 10:20–21
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.
Acts 7:41
At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands.
Habakkuk 2:18–20
What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it—or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Book of Revelation Conversion Minerals and Metals Silversmith

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Obduracy In Brass: Articles Made of Idols Copper Brass: Made Into: Idols Demons: Worship of, Forbidden Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Demons Idolatry: Folly of Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Licentiousness of Impenitence: General Scriptures Concerning Obduracy (Hardness): General Scriptures Concerning Pedophiles Repentance: The Wicked: Not Led to by the Judgments of God

Revelation 9:20

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