Revelation 13:3
New International Version
One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was filled with wonder and followed the beast.

New Living Translation
I saw that one of the heads of the beast seemed wounded beyond recovery—but the fatal wound was healed! The whole world marveled at this miracle and gave allegiance to the beast.

English Standard Version
One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast.

Berean Standard Bible
One of the heads of the beast appeared to be mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast.

Berean Literal Bible
And one of its heads was as having been slain to death. And its wound of death was healed, and the whole earth marveled after the beast.

King James Bible
And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

New King James Version
And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.

New American Standard Bible
I saw one of his heads as if it had been fatally wounded, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast;

NASB 1995
I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast;

NASB 1977
And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast;

Legacy Standard Bible
And I saw one of his heads as if it had been slain fatally, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth marveled and followed after the beast.

Amplified Bible
I saw one of his heads which seemed to have a fatal wound, but his fatal wound was healed; and the entire earth followed after the beast in amazement.

Christian Standard Bible
One of its heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but its fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
One of his heads appeared to be fatally wounded, but his fatal wound was healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.

American Standard Version
And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;

Contemporary English Version
One of its heads seemed to have been fatally wounded, but now it was well. Everyone on earth marveled at this beast,

English Revised Version
And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
One of the beast's heads looked like it had a fatal wound, but its fatal wound was healed. All the people of the world were amazed and followed the beast.

Good News Translation
One of the heads of the beast seemed to have been fatally wounded, but the wound had healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.

International Standard Version
One of the beast's heads looked like it had sustained a mortal wound, but its fatal wound was healed. Rapt with amazement, the whole world followed the beast.

Majority Standard Bible
One of the heads of the beast appeared to be mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast.

NET Bible
One of the beast's heads appeared to have been killed, but the lethal wound had been healed. And the whole world followed the beast in amazement;

New Heart English Bible
One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth was amazed and followed the beast.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

Weymouth New Testament
I saw that one of his heads seemed to have been mortally wounded; but his mortal wound was healed, and the whole world was amazed and followed him.

World English Bible
One of his heads looked like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled at the beast.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I saw one of its heads as slain to death, and its deadly wound was healed, and all the earth wondered after the beast,

Berean Literal Bible
And one of its heads was as having been slain to death. And its wound of death was healed, and the whole earth marveled after the beast.

Young's Literal Translation
And I saw one of its heads as slain to death, and its deadly stroke was healed, and all the earth did wonder after the beast,

Smith's Literal Translation
And I saw one of his heads as slaughtered to death; and his deathblow was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I saw one of his heads as it were slain to death: and his death's wound was healed. And all the earth was in admiration after the beast.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I saw that one of its heads seemed to be slain unto death, but his deadly wound was healed. And the entire world was in wonder following the beast.

New American Bible
I saw that one of its heads seemed to have been mortally wounded, but this mortal wound was healed. Fascinated, the whole world followed after the beast.

New Revised Standard Version
One of its heads seemed to have received a death-blow, but its mortal wound had been healed. In amazement the whole earth followed the beast.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And one of his heads was as though mortally wounded; but his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered about the wild beast.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And one of its heads was as if it had been crushed to death and its mortal wound was healed, and all The Earth marveled after The Beast.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And I saw one of his heads as if it had been wounded even to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and all the earth wondered after the beast.

Godbey New Testament
And I saw one of his heads as it had been smitten unto death; and the wound of his death was healed. And the whole earth wondered after the beast:

Haweis New Testament
And I saw one of his heads as if wounded unto death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the earth wondered after the beast.

Mace New Testament
and I saw one of his heads, as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world went wondring after the beast.

Weymouth New Testament
I saw that one of his heads seemed to have been mortally wounded; but his mortal wound was healed, and the whole world was amazed and followed him.

Worrell New Testament
and I saw one of his heads, as if smitten to death. And his death-stroke was healed; and all the earth wondered after the beast.

Worsley New Testament
And I saw one of his heads as it were mortally wounded, but his deadly wound was healed: and all the earth wondered and went after the beast.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Beast from the Sea
2The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of the heads of the beast appeared to be mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast. 4They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”…

Cross References
Daniel 7:8
While I was contemplating the horns, suddenly another horn, a little one, came up among them, and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like those of a man and a mouth that spoke words of arrogance.

Daniel 7:20-21
I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell—the horn whose appearance was more imposing than the others, with eyes and with a mouth that spoke words of arrogance. / As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them,

Daniel 7:24-25
And the ten horns are ten kings who will rise from this kingdom. After them another king, different from the earlier ones, will rise and subdue three kings. / He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.

Daniel 8:24-25
His power will be great, but it will not be his own. He will cause terrible destruction and succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men along with the holy people. / Through his craft and by his hand, he will cause deceit to prosper, and in his own mind he will make himself great. In a time of peace he will destroy many, and he will even stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be broken off, but not by human hands.

Daniel 11:36-37
Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished. / He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4
Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. / He will oppose and exalt himself above every so-called god or object of worship. So he will seat himself in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.

2 Thessalonians 2:8-9
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. / The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,

Revelation 17:8
The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.

Revelation 17:11
The beast that was, and now is not, is an eighth king, who belongs to the other seven and is going into destruction.

Revelation 17:12-13
The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive one hour of authority as kings along with the beast. / These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.

Revelation 17:16-17
And the ten horns and the beast that you saw will hate the prostitute. They will leave her desolate and naked, and they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. / For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Revelation 19:20
But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.

Revelation 20:10
And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.

Mark 13:22
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible.


Treasury of Scripture

And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.

one.

Revelation 13:1,2,14
And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy…

Revelation 17:10
And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

wounded.

Ezekiel 30:24
And I will strengthen the arms of the king of Babylon, and put my sword in his hand: but I will break Pharaoh's arms, and he shall groan before him with the groanings of a deadly wounded man.

all.

Revelation 17:6,8,13,17
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration…

Luke 2:1
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

John 12:19
The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.

Jump to Previous
Amazed Astonished Beast Deadly Death Death-Stroke Death-Wound Earth Fatal Fatally Followed Heads Healed Marveled Mortal Mortally Seemed Slain Smitten Stroke Whole Wonder Wondered Wondering World Wound Wounded
Jump to Next
Amazed Astonished Beast Deadly Death Death-Stroke Death-Wound Earth Fatal Fatally Followed Heads Healed Marveled Mortal Mortally Seemed Slain Smitten Stroke Whole Wonder Wondered Wondering World Wound Wounded
Revelation 13
1. A beast rises out of the sea with seven heads and ten horns, to whom the dragon gives his power.
11. Another beast comes out of the earth,
14. causes an image to be made of the former beast,
15. and that men should worship it,
16. and receive his mark.














One of the heads of the beast
The "beast" in Revelation is often interpreted as a symbol of a powerful, oppressive empire or ruler. The "heads" can represent different aspects or leaders of this entity. In the historical context of the Roman Empire, which many scholars believe is the immediate backdrop for Revelation, the heads could symbolize various emperors or facets of imperial power. Theologically, this imagery can also be seen as representing the multifaceted nature of evil in the world, manifesting in different forms and leaders throughout history.

appeared to be mortally wounded
The phrase "mortally wounded" suggests a severe, life-threatening injury. In Greek, the word for "wounded" (ἐσφαγμένην, esphagmenēn) is often used in the context of sacrificial slaughter, which adds a layer of irony and blasphemy when applied to the beast. This could symbolize a significant setback or defeat for the oppressive power, perhaps a moment when it seemed that evil was vanquished. Historically, this could refer to events like the fall of a tyrant or the temporary collapse of a regime. Spiritually, it reminds believers that evil, though seemingly defeated, can still rise again.

But the mortal wound was healed
The healing of the wound signifies a resurgence or revival of the beast's power. This can be seen as a warning to Christians that evil, though it may appear defeated, can recover and continue to exert influence. Theologically, this reflects the persistent nature of sin and evil in the world, which can seem to be vanquished but often returns in new forms. Historically, this could be seen in the way empires or ideologies that oppose God's kingdom can re-emerge after apparent defeat.

and the whole world marveled
The reaction of the "whole world" indicates a widespread amazement and perhaps admiration for the beast's recovery. The Greek word for "marveled" (ἐθαύμασεν, ethaumasen) suggests a sense of awe or wonder, which can be both positive and negative. This reflects the seductive power of evil, which can captivate and deceive many. In a historical context, this could refer to the allure of powerful empires or charismatic leaders who draw people away from God.

and followed the beast
To "follow" the beast implies allegiance or submission. The Greek word (ἠκολούθησαν, ēkolouthēsan) suggests a deliberate choice to align with the beast's power and authority. This serves as a caution to believers about the dangers of being swayed by worldly power and influence. Spiritually, it challenges Christians to remain steadfast in their faith and not be led astray by the temporary allure of evil. Historically, it reflects the tendency of societies to follow charismatic leaders or dominant ideologies, even when they oppose God's principles.

(3) And I saw . . .--Translate, And (I saw) one from among his heads as if having been slain [the expression is the same as that applied to the Lamb in Revelation 5:6 : the wound marks are there when the vision rises] unto death; and the stroke of his death was healed. When the wild beast rose from the sea, the seer saw the deadly wound on the head: the wound was really unto death; the beast which had waged war against the true kingdom of righteousness and faith has received his death-blow. This is the historical point from which the vision starts. This being so, the death-blow is that which has just been dealt: the seed of the woman has bruised the serpent's head. The blow which casts down the dragon inflicts a deadly wound upon the wild beast, which is his agent. When Christ overthrew the wicked one He gave the death-blow to the world-power--to all systems founded on passion, or self-sufficiency, or inhumanity. But the death-blow is apparently healed. What is this but telling the Church of Christ that the fruits of Christ's victory will not be seen without delay? The world-power is smitten unto death; but the actual death does not follow immediately. The power of evil, contrary to all expectation, rises with new vigour. This revived power showed itself, with more or less force, in the way in which the spirit of the wild beast broke forth when Christianity seemed to have put fetters on the Roman empire.

(3, 4) And all the world wondered . . .--Literally, And the whole earth wondered after the wild beast, and worshipped the dragon, because he gave the authority and worshipped the wild beast, saying, Who is like unto the wild beast? and who is able to war with him? The healing of the death-blow causes wonder to all. Their wonder leads to worship. The spirit of the wild beast is adored wherever worldliness prevails. There is nothing so successful as success, and the homage of men is more often paid to power than to principle. "Who is like unto the beast?" The words are a parody, and a blasphemous parody, on the ascription of praise to God which the name Michael imported. (See Revelation 12:7; comp. Psalms 112, Micah 7:18.) "Who is like unto God?" is the legend of the saints: the opposing cry is, "Who is like unto the beast?"

"Can you not hear the words coming across the centuries from the lips of two Roman youths talking with each other, as they lounge together in the Forum?" (Maurice.) Can we not hear the echo of the words in the Champs Elysees, in Piccadilly, in the Broadway, or Unter Den Linden, from the lips of young men who have taken fashion, rank, wealth, world-power in any shape, as their god?

Verse 3. - And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed; and one of his heads as though it had been slain unto death; and his death stroke was healed. The writer wishes to express the coexistence of two mutually antagonistic qualities. The head had received a fatal wound, and yet the beast continued to exist and exert his power. There may be a contrast and a comparison intended between the Lamb, as it had been slain, worshipped by his adoring followers, and the beast, usurping the honour due to Christ, imitating him even in the respect of having been slain, and exacting homage from those who "wondered after the beast." But the "head smitten unto death" must still possess some special significance of its own. What that is we are not plainly told; but it seems reasonable to refer it to the blow dealt to the power of Satan by the death and resurrection of Christ. It almost seemed at first as though the power of the world must succumb to the influence of the life and death of our Lord, and for a time great progress was made in the increase of the number of believers (cf. Acts 2:41, 47). But the power of the world was not yet destroyed; it continued to exist in spite of the seemingly fatal wound. Some see in this account a reference to the destruction of the Roman pagan empire, and the establishment of the Christian empire. Others believe the blow to be that administered by Michael, when Satan was ejected from heaven. Others refer the wounded head to different individuals; e.g. Nero. That one head is wounded out of the seven probably denotes the partial nature of the wound as visible to an observer. And all the world wondered after the beast; the whole earth wondered after the beast. The pregnant construction. That earth, for which the advent of the dragon meant woe (Revelation 12:12), wondered at, and followed after the beast. The sense of earth must here be restricted to the followers of the world, as opposed to the followers of God.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
One
μίαν (mian)
Adjective - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

of
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

the
τῶν (tōn)
Article - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

heads
κεφαλῶν (kephalōn)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural
Strong's 2776: From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.

of [the beast]
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

appeared
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

to be fatally wounded.
ἐσφαγμένην (esphagmenēn)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4969: To slay, kill by violence, slaughter, wound mortally. A primary verb; to butcher or to slaughter, or, to maim.

[But]
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

mortal
θανάτου (thanatou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2288: Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.

wound
πληγὴ (plēgē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4127: A blow, stripe, wound; an affliction, plague. From plesso; a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity.

was healed,
ἐθεραπεύθη (etherapeuthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2323: From the same as therapon; to wait upon menially, i.e. to adore, or to relieve.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

whole
ὅλη (holē)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.

world
γῆ (gē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe.

was astonished
ἐθαυμάσθη (ethaumasthē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2296: (a) intrans: I wonder, marvel, (b) trans: I wonder at, admire. From thauma; to wonder; by implication, to admire.

[and] followed
ὀπίσω (opisō)
Preposition
Strong's 3694: Behind, after; back, backwards. From the same as opisthen with enclitic of direction; to the back, i.e. Aback.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

beast.
θηρίου (thēriou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 2342: Properly: a wild beast, hence: any animal; met: a brute. Diminutive from the same as thera; a dangerous animal.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 13:3 One of his heads looked like it (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 13:2
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