Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

If any man have an ear, let him hear - These words are evidently introduced to impress the reader with the awfulness of what has just been spoken - all shall worship him whose names are not written in the book of life, as well as to fix his attention upon the following words: -

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

If any man have an ear, let him hear - See the notes on Revelation 2:7. The idea here is, that what was here said respecting the “beast” was worthy of special attention, as it pertained to most important events in the history of the church.

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

If any man hath an ear, let him hear.

The contemporary equivalent of this is, Now hear this! It occurs in each of the seven letters (Revelation 2:7,11,17; Revelation 3:6,13,22) and recalls the familiar expression of Jesus, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15; Mark 4:9). It alerts the reader to the importance of what follows.[62]

Morris also thought the alert here "regards what follows in stead of what precedes.[63] This makes verses Revelation 13:9,10 a solemn warning "against any effort on the part of the church to return evil for evil."[64]

[62] Robert H. Mounce, op. cit., p. 256.

[63] Leon Morris, op. cit., p. 170.

[64] Charles H. Roberson, op. cit., p. 95.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

If any man have an ear, let him hear. And diligently attend to this mystical description of antichrist, as being matter of some difficulty to understand, as well as of great moment and importance, and seriously consider it, that he may know him, and his followers, and avoid them; See Gill on Revelation 1:7.

Geneva Study Bible

(14) The conclusion of this speech of the first beast, consisting of two parts, an exhortation to attentive audience, in this verse: and a foretelling, which partly contains threatenings against the wicked and partly comfort for those who in patience and faith shall wait for that glorious coming of our Lord and Saviour Christ; (Revelation 13:10)

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

A general exhortation. Christ‘s own words of monition calling solemn attention.

Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

If any one hath an ear (ει τις εχει ους — ei tis echei ous). Condition of first class, repetition of the saying in Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29, etc.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Ver. 9. If any man have an ear] q.d. Let all that have souls to save, beware of this beast; for is it nothing to lose an immortal soul? to purchase an everliving death? Purus putus Papista non potest servari. Confer Revelation 19:21. It is confessed by all, that a learned English apostate Papist cannot be saved.

Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament

Observe here, 1. That this acclamation, If any man have an ear, let him hear, is added in scripture when something went before, which required a very diligent attention and close application of mind: If any man have an ear, that is, a spiritual understanding to discern the meaning of what has been foretold, let him ponder and consider what is here revealed concerning this beast, and take heed that he be not found amongst the number of the worshippers of it.

Observe, 2. The consolation here given to the saints, from the consideration of God's just retribution to his and their enemies, He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity; that is, the beast, who has brought many of the saints into captivity, shall himself at length be taken captive, and thrown into that lake of fire and brimstone, spoken of, Revelation 19:20. With what measure antichrist metes to others, it shall be measured to him again: God has as many ways to hurt his church's enemies, as they have to hurt his people; if they lead into captivity, so can he; if they kill with the sword, so will he.

Observe, 3. The end and design of God in suffering antichrist's rage to break forth against the church: it is for the trial of his church's faith and patience, Here is the patience and faith of the saints.

Where note, 1. That none can stand under, or bear up under, sufferings like saints.

2. That under great sufferings, saints themselves will have great occasion for the exercise of faith and patience.

3. That the faith and patience of the saints will be made very conspicuous by great and sharp sufferings.

4. That faith and patience must accompany each other in suffering times. Patience is the soul's shoulder, to bear what is afflictive at present; faith is the Christian's eye, to discover a glorious deliverance to come: where no patience is, it is a token of no faith; and where no faith is, there will appear great impatience. Behold then the faith and patience of the saints.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Either, let him hear what hath been already said, and take heed that he be not one of those that worship the beast; or, let him hear what followeth concerning the ruin of antichrist and his adherents: but from the usage of this phrase in other scriptures, where it is oft made use of to stir up attention to some remarkable thing, it seemeth rather to be applied to what went before. The phrase also further lets us know, that (comparatively) the number of those who should refuse to worship the beast would be very small, as indeed it proved.

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture

Ср. 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22. В этой фразе отсутствуют слова «что Дух говорит церквам», которые были в 7 посланиях к церквам, возможно, потому, что церкви были спасены.

Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament

Let him hear; consider what is said, and receive the instruction which it is suited to impart; not go with the multitude after the beast, but continue, under all his persecutions, steadfast in the faith and practice of the gospel.

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘If anyone has an ear let him hear.’

This phrase was at the end of the letters to the seven churches, and connects with them. The message is still to them and the worldwide church. Only those whose ears are opened will understand what he is referring to, and they will demonstrate it by their response.

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable

God and John called on the readers of this book to pay attention. Particularly those living at this time in the future should do so. Note that John made no reference to "the churches" as in similar exhortations in chapters2,3 ( Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:11; Revelation 2:17; Revelation 2:29; Revelation 3:6; Revelation 3:13; Revelation 3:22). This supports the fact that Christians (i.e, believers living in the church age) will not be present on the earth at this time ( Revelation 3:10). It is what follows ( Revelation 13:10) that this verse announces, not what has preceded.

Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books

This exhortation urges the same hearing and heeding as the letters to the churches in chapters 2 and 3.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

If, &c. See Revelation 2:7. Eighth and last occ Here to individuals, no longer to corporate churches. Note Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Christ's monition calling solemn attention (Matthew 13:9; Matthew 13:43).

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) This verse—an echo of his Master’s words from the lips of the beloved disciple—calls marked attention to the warning words of the next verse.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2:7,11,17,29

E.M. Zerr's Commentary on Selected Books of the New Testament

This language is a solemn call upon all to give profound attention. The things having been said and that are still to be said are of great importance to all mankind,

Hanserd Knollys' Commentary on Revelation

Revelation 13:9

Revelation 13:9-10 If any man have an ear, let him hear10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

This exhortation of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, implies two things; first, that the matter we are to hear is of great moment, and ought diligently to be hearkened unto; as Isaiah 55:3; Psalm 8:5-9. Secondly, some men's affected deafness, and indisposition to hear what the Lord speaks by his prophets and messengers unto them. { Zechariah 7:11-13} That which Christ would have them to hear, is expressed { Revelation 13:10}

He that leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity; he that killeth with the sword, must be killed with the sword.

These words contain a commination of the righteous judgments of God relating to mystery Babylon, as was threatened prophetically. { Psalm 137:7-9; Isaiah 33:1-5; Revelation 18:6-8}

Here is the patience and the faith of the saints;

that Isaiah, the exercise and trial of the patience and faith of the saints, (who are sanctified believers) under the persecutions and tribulations, which the beast, the great whore, and the false prophet, will inflict upon them; during the time of forty and two months, that the gentiles, that Isaiah, the idolatrous papists shall tread the holy city, that Isaiah, the Church of God, under foot; during which time of forty and two months, the beast will exercise his coercive power, in persecuting the saints. { Revelation 11:2; Revelation 13:5}

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

9.Have an ear—John here repeats the solemn injunction usual with our Lord when some momentous point was uttered. This predominance and cruelty of antichrist was of immense moment. Its importance is immense to us at this hour, for even now the beast is practising and purposing and hoping for a full verification of his claim to universal subjection.

The Expositor's Greek Testament

Revelation 13:9_{. The prophet’s nota bene introduces (}Revelation 13:10_{) what is either (a) a demand for patience and non-resistance, or (b) an encouragement to it. (a) “Be patient. If captivity is your destiny from God, accept it. If any one is (destined) for captivity, to captivity he goes (in God’s order, in a future sense). Show your patient faith in God by abstaining from the use of force” (cf.}Matthew 26:52_{). This interpretation (rejecting or in 10a) is preferable to (b) that which reads (or even understands; with B. Weiss) , , or (so some cursives and versions) in 10a, and thus finds in the words a promise of requital rather than an appeal for endurance. The fate inflicted on Christians will recoil on their persecutors (cf.}Revelation 14:12_{). Imprisonment or captivity and death were the normal fates of the age for criminals who refused to invoke the emperor’s genius (cf. Jos. Bell. iii. 10. 10, vi. 8. 2, Philo: de Flacc. 11, leg. ad Gaium, 32). A variation of this meaning would be: use force, and you (Christians) will suffer for it. The whole stanza is written for saints who, like Sigurd, are not born for blenching.— . . . Josephus (Bell. iii. 5. 8, etc.) had just given, from prudential motives, a similar warning to Jews against participating in any anti-Roman movement. It was always hard to disabuse the Oriental mind of the idea that religious faith must be bound up with fate and fighting. cf. Introd. § 6.}