Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Adam Clarke Commentary

These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast - Therefore the ten horns must constitute the principal strength of the Latin empire; that is to say, this empire is to be composed of the dominions of ten monarchs independent of each other in every other sense except in their implicit obedience to the Latin Church. The beast in this and the preceding verse is distinguished from its horns, as the Whole Latin empire is distinguished in history from its constituent powers. See on Revelation 17:16; (note).

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

These have one mind - That is, they are united in the promotion of the same object. Though in some respects wholly independent of each other, yet they may be regarded as, in fact, so far united that they tend to promote the same ultimate end. As a fact in history, all these kingdoms, though of different origin, and though not infrequently engaged in war with each other, became Roman Catholics, and were united in the support of the papacy. It was with propriety, therefore, that they should be regarded as so closely connected with that power that they could be represented as “ten horns” on the seven-headed monster.

And shall give their power and strength unto the beast - Shall lend their influence to the support of the papacy, and become the upholders of that power. The meaning, according to the interpretation above proposed, is, that they would all become papal kingdoms, and supporters of the papal power. It is unnecessary to pause to show how true this has been in history. At first, most of the people out of whom these kingdoms sprang were pagans; then many of them embraced Christianity under the prevailing form of Arianism, and this fact was for a time a bar to their perfect adhesion to the Roman see; but they were all ultimately brought wholly under its influence, and became its supporters. In 496 a.d., Clovis, the king of the Franks, on occasion of his victory over the Allemanni, embraced the Catholic faith, and so received the title, transmitted downward through nearly thirteen hundred years to the French kings as his successors, of “the oldest son of the church”; in the course of the sixth century, the kings of Burgundy, Bavaria, Spain, Portugal, England, embraced the same religion, and became the defenders of the papacy. It is well known that each one of the powers above enumerated as constituting these ten kingdoms, became subject to the papacy, and continued so during their separate existence, or when merged into some other power, until the Reformation in the sixteenth century. All “their power and strength was given unto the beast”; all was made subservient to the purposes of papal Rome.

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast.

And these give their power and authority to the beast ... This would appear to be an accurate picture of Medieval times, long after the fall of Rome, and during the ascendancy of the seventh head (The Man of Sin, etc.), during which the great nations that arose upon the ruins of the ancient pagan empire cooperated fully with the Apostate Power still ruling from Rome; the religious beast was actually the ruler during this period. There are many historical fulfillments of this prophecy, but the Spanish Inquisition is the classical example, and no other need be cited; but this "honeymoon" between the religious head of the beast and the "ten horn" kingdoms was prophesied not to last. It would end in a far different state of affairs (see Revelation 17:16); but this condition would continue for a long time, during which war would be waged against God and his truth.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

These have one mind,.... The princes of these kingdoms, and their subjects, become, in time, of one religion; first they were Arians, and then Papists; and for a long series of time there was great unity between them, with respect to religious sentiments, being zealously attached to the church of Rome, its principles and practices:

and shall give their power and strength unto the beast; the Papal antichrist, the eighth king, and seventh head; to him they have given power to exercise all ecclesiastical authority in their kingdoms; as to ordain bishops, and deliver the pall to whom they will; to excommunicate offenders, and even lay their kingdoms under an interdict when they pleased; and have assisted and defended the popes of Rome with all their force, with all their might and main, and to the utmost of their power, and have engaged in what have been called the holy wars, at their motion; they have given their riches and wealth, which are called the forces of strength, Job 36:19 which they have, by various methods, drained them of; hence the whore of Rome came to be decked with gold, and pearls, and precious stones; yea, they have given them their kingdoms, and have received them from them, and become tributary to them.

Geneva Study Bible

(29) That is, by consent and agreement, that they may conspire with the beast, and depend on his call. Their story is divided into three parts, counsels, acts, and events. The counsellors some of them consist in communicating of judgments and affections: and some in communicating of power, which they are said to have given to this beast, in this verse.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

one mind — one sentiment.

shall give — So Coptic. But A, B, and Syriac, “give.”

strength — Greek, “authority.” They become his dependent allies (Revelation 17:14). Thus Antichrist sets up to be King of kings, but scarcely has he put forth his claim when the true KING OF KINGS appears and dashes him down in a moment to destruction.

Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

Have one mind (μιαν γνωμην εχουσιν — mian gnōmēn echousin). “One purpose” (γνωμη — gnōmē from γινωσκω — ginōskō) as in Acts 20:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10. The new powers are allies of the beast.

Vincent's Word Studies

Mind ( γνώμην )

Meaning primarily the faculty of knowing, mind, reason; then that which is thought or known; opinion, purpose. See Acts 20:3; 1 Corinthians 7:25; Philemon 1:14.

Shall give ( διαδιδώσουσιν )

διδόασιν , the present tense, give. The force of διά is over; give over.

Power and authority ( δύναμιν καὶ ἐξουσίαν )

For the distinction, see on 2 Peter 2:11.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

Ver. 13. These have one mind] This is the unity or rather conspiracy of the Church of Rome. The Spouse only is but one, Song of Solomon 6:9. Other societies are but as the clay in the toes of Nebuchadnezzar’s image, they may cleave together but not incorporate one into another. There is a great deal of seeming unity under Antichrist. The Turks also have as little dissension in their religion as any. But well may that garment have no seam that hath no shape. Bellarmine notes a providence, that in the ninth age there sprang up no new heresy. But how could there, when little religion was afoot besides superstition and heresies?

Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament

Revelation 17:13. ΄ίαν γνώμην, one mind) Great agreement of opinion is not always characteristic of a good cause.— διδόασιν, give) for [his] conflict with the Lamb.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

They shall all be papists, and for a while shall employ all their power and strength to uphold the popish religion.

Foy E. Wallace's Commentary on the Book of Revelation

It is stated in verse thirteen that these ten kings had one mind. The overshadowing personage of Nero was pictured as standing behind; but the single aim and common purpose was the destruction of Jerusalem, the devastation of Judea to rid the empire of Judaism, and the subsequent war against Christianity in the full power and strength of the coalition of the kings with the emperor against the church. Jerusalem was destroyed, Judaism perished, but the church survived.

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable

The single purpose of these end-time kingdoms is to rule the world ( Revelation 17:14). The10 rulers will submit to the Antichrist"s leadership to achieve this end. Evidently he will have to put down three of them who revolt against him ( Daniel 7:24; cf. Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 17:3).

Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament

Revelation 17:13. These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast. So had it been with the second beast (chap. Revelation 13:12), and so with the harlot (chap. Revelation 17:3; Revelation 17:7). The brute power of the world could of itself effect nothing were it not served by the spiritual forces of the false prophet, and of the harlot, or of the kings who have listened to the harlot’s witcheries.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

These have one design, to make themselves as happy as they can in this world: and their power they shall give to the beast, being always slaves of the devil. (Witham)

Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books

Naturally, such kings who draw their power from another will be minded to do as the other instructs and will give all its strength to that end.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

mind. App-177.

shall give. The texts read "they give", i.e. of their own free will.

power. App-172.1 and Revelation 176:1.

strength. App-172.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

One mind, [ gnoomeen (Greek #1106)] - one sentiment.

Shall give. So Coptic; but 'Aleph (') A B, Syriac, 'give.'

Strength - `authority.' They become his dependent allies (Revelation 17:14). Thus Antichrist claims to be king of kings. Scarcely has he made his claim when the KING OF KINGS appears and destroys him as in a moment.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

one

Philippians 1:27; 2:2

shall

17; Isaiah 10:5-7; Ezekiel 38:10; Acts 4:28

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

These means the ten kings of the preceding verse and until they have had their eyes opened by receiving the Bible back again, they will not know any better than to give their power and strength unto the beast (church-and state).

Hanserd Knollys' Commentary on Revelation

Revelation 17:13

Revelation 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

These,

all these ten kings agree,

they have one mind, and shall give their power,

that Isaiah, they shall subject their monarchical and magisterial power to the hierarchical and pontifical power of the beast, in the exercise and execution thereof for him.

And strength,

that Isaiah, their military power, the power of the sword to execute his decrees, edicts, laws, and commandments. { Revelation 13:15-17} Therefore they are called his horns; for the Pope's kingdom is upheld by the regal power, and military strength of those ten kings who agree, and give their Kingdom to the beasts. {as Revelation 17:17}

Ernst Hengstenberg on John, Revelation, Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel & Psalms

Revelation 17:13. These have one mind and give their power and their authority to the beast. The expression, "with the beast," is enlarged upon and explained. One mind, in reference to what is here under consideration, and which is expressly brought out in the second part of the verse (comp. Revelation 17:17). For, otherwise, the being of one mind is against the nature of evil. Sin is as certainly the mother of division, as selfishness is inherent in its very nature.

If the beast is the God-opposing power of the world, impelled by a thirst of conquest, and a desire of dominion, then in the circumstance of their giving their power and authority with one mind to the beast, the foundation is laid of their unanimity in seeking to destroy Rome. The new possessors of the worldly power could only stand in an attitude of hostility toward its former possessors. But another consequence also springs from it, and one unfolded in what immediately follows—their war against the Lamb.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

13.One mind—During that hour, or season, there shall be an unbroken unanimity. The nations will humbly give their power and strength unto the beast, as to the vicar of Christ and representative of God on earth.