Revelation 2:12

Revelation 2:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
• New International Version (NIV)“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:

Context of Revelation 2:12

10Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life. 11He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will not be hurt by the second death (the lake of fire).’ “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of Him who has and wields the sharp two-edged sword [in judgment]: 13‘I know where you dwell, [a place] where Satan sits enthroned. Yet you are holding fast to My name, and you did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed (martyred) among you, where Satan dwells. 14But I have a few things against you, because you have there some [among you] who are holding to the [corrupt] teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, [enticing them] to eat things that had been sacrificed to idols and to commit [acts of sexual] immorality.

Revelation 2:12 word by word

Καὶ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Περγάμῳ ἐκκλησίας γράψον· τάδε λέγει ὁ ἔχων τὴν ῥομφαίαν τὴν δίστομον τὴν ὀξεῖαν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• to the angelὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• to the angelἄγγελοςaggelos · angelG32
• of the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• PergamosΠέργαμοςPergamos · PergamumG4010
• writeγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• These thingsὅδεhode hēde tode · thisG3592
• saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• he which hathἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• theῥομφαίαrhomphaia · swordG4501
• sharpὀξύςoxus · sharp/swiftG3691
• with two edgesδίστομοςdistomos · double-edgedG1366

Cross-references for Revelation 2:12

• Revelation 2:1“To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of the One who holds [firmly] the seven stars [which are the angels or messengers of the seven churches] in His right hand, the One who walks among the seven golden lampstands (the seven churches):
• Revelation 1:11saying, “Write on a scroll what you see [in this revelation], and send it to the seven churches—to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.”
• Revelation 2:27and he shall shepherd and rule them with a rod of iron, as the earthen pots are broken in pieces, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father;
• Revelation 2:16Therefore repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will]; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war and fight against them with the sword of My mouth [in judgment].
• Revelation 1:16In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword [of judgment]; and His face [reflecting His majesty and the Shekinah glory] was like the sun shining in [all] its power [at midday].
• Revelation 19:15From His mouth comes a sharp sword (His word) with which He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He will tread the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty [in judgment of the rebellious world].
• Isaiah 11:4But with righteousness and justice He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the downtrodden of the earth; And He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
• Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Commentaries on Revelation 2:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12The angel of the Church in Pergamos - See the description of this place, Revelation 1:11. Which hath the sharp sword - See on Revelation 1:16; (note). The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, cuts every way; it convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment; pierces between the joints and the marrow, divides between the soul and spirit, dissects the whole mind, and exhibits a regular anatomy of the soul. It not only reproves and exposes sin, but…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12And to the angel of the church in Pergamos - See the notes on Revelation 1:20. These things saith he which hath the sharp sword, … - See the notes on Revelation 1:16. Compare Hebrews 4:12; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Isaiah 49:2. Prof. Stuart suggests that when the Saviour, as represented in the vision, “uttered words, as they proceeded from his mouth, the halitus which accompanied them assumed, in the view of John, the form of an igneous two-edged sword.” It is…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-17Verses 12-17 The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way; but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes. In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Christ's sharp, double-edged sword shows that these Christians would face the Lord’s harshest judgment (see Revelation 2:16; see study note on Revelation 1:16). The double-edged sword was a Roman symbol of authority, representing Pergamum as the province's capital. If the church failed, Christ, the true governor of the city, would use his authority against them.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Trench prefers writing Pergamus, or rather, Pergamum, on the river Caicus. It was capital of Attalus the Second's kingdom, which was bequeathed by him to the Romans, 133 B.C. Famous for its library, founded by Eumenes (197-159), and destroyed by Caliph Omar. Parchment, that is, Pergamena charta, was here discovered for book purposes. Also famous for the magnificent temple of Æsculapius, the healing god [Tacitus, Annals, 3.63]. he which hath the sharp…Read the comment

Topics related to Revelation 2:12

• Angel of the Churches
• Church
• Minister, Christian
• Pergamos
• Sword

In the dictionaries

• Angel
• Bed
• Faithful
• Alliance
• Apostolic Age
• Asia Minor
• Church Government
• Commandment, the New
• Ear
• Ephesians, Epistle to the

Commentaries on Revelation 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings