If any man have an ear, let him hear.
9. If any man &c.] See on Rev 2:7.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
If any man have an ear, let him hear – See the notes on Rev 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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. 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:-
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the 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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
9. A general exhortation.Christ’s own words of monition calling solemn attention.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on 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 comments on Re 1:7].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
If any one hath an ear ( ). Condition of first class, repetition of the saying in Rev 2:7; Rev 2:11; Rev 2:17; Rev 2:29, etc.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “If any man have an ear,” (eis tis echei ous) “If anyone has an ear,” is a hearing person, a responsible person – This denotes universal accountability of every responsible person toward God, Rom 14:11-12.
2) “Let him hear,” (akousato) “Let him hear, give heed, give attention to or obey,” Mat 11:15; Mat 13:9; Mar 4:9; Rev 22:17. Each person is not only to hear for salvation but also because of accountability for service, 2Co 5:10.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(9) This versean echo of his Masters words from the lips of the beloved disciplecalls marked attention to the warning words of the next verse.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
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.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘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.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Rev 13:9-10. If any man have an ear, &c. It was customary with our Saviour, when he would have his auditors pay a particular attention to what he had been saying, to add, He who hath ears to hear, &c. St. John, as our Lord’s amanuensis, repeats the same admonition at the end of each of his seven epistles to the seven churches, ch. Rev 2:3 : and here, in the conclusion of his description of the beast, if any man have an ear, &c. and certainly the description of the beast is deserving of the higherattention,uponmanyaccounts;andparticularly,becausetherightinterpretation of this book turns upon it, as one of its main hinges. It is added by way of consolation to the church, that these enemies of God and Christ, represented under the beast, shall suffer the law of retaliation, and be as remarkably punished and tormented themselves as they punished and tormented others, Rev 13:10.Here is the patience and faith of the saints. Of all the trials and persecutions of the church, this would be the most severe, and exceed those of the primitive times, both in degree and duration. See as above.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Rev 13:9-10 . This consolatory assurance is expressly urged as one extremely important. [3333]
, . The jus talionis is exercised by the righteous judgment of God. [3334] The brevity of the elliptical expression corresponds very well with the immutability of the strict sentence, in case the second stands without further definition. [3335]
On the two kinds of persecution, cf. Rev 2:10 ; Rev 2:13 , Rev 6:10 , Rev 11:7 . Volkm. regards the threat of the sword as directed against Nero. But how is it conceivable if Rev 13:3 refers, according to Volkmar’s interpretation, to Nero?
, . . . The formula is in itself so indefinite that it can express both gradations of the idea: “Here must the patience, the wisdom, [3336] of believers be displayed,” [3337] and “Here patience is present, here lies its foundation and source.” In this passage, and Rev 14:12 , the latter idea results from the connection; by the , . . ., an allusion is made to what has just been said, Rev 13:10 , yea already in Rev 13:8 ; viz., to that in which the patience of the saints consists, who by their faith lay hold of that divine consolation. Otherwise, Rev 13:18 ; Rev 17:9 .
[3333] Rev 13:9 . Cf. Rev 2:7 ; Rev 2:11 .
[3334] Cf. Rev 18:6 , Rev 19:2 .
[3335] , Rev 17:8 . See Critical Notes.
[3336] Rev 13:18 ; Rev 17:9 .
[3337] De Wette, Hengstenb.
NOTES BY THE AMERICAN EDITOR
LXXII. Rev 13:8 .
In favor of the translation in our A. V., is the distance of this clause from the . 1Pe 1:19-20 , Joh 17:24 , are sometimes cited as supporting “slain from the foundation;” but the shade of meaning there expressed is different. Rev 17:8 seems to be decisive in favor of the construction advocated by Dsterdieck; and it has, on the basis of this passage, been adopted by the American section of the committee on the R. V.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament 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 Rev 19:21 . It is confessed by all, that a learned English apostate Papist cannot be saved.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
9, 10 .] These verses bear various meanings, according to the reading which we adopt. If the rec. be taken, they express a consolation to the persecuted saints in the form of a jus talionis: the judgment of God will overtake the persecutors, and in that form in which their persecution was exercised. If we take the reading in the text, they form a prophetic declaration how it shall fare with the saints in the day of persecution, and declare also that in holy suffering of captivity and death consists their faith and patience. The latter appears to me, both from critical and contextual considerations, by far the more eligible. Thus we have what is so frequent in this book, an O. T. citation (see below): and all falls into its place in connexion with the victorious war of the beast against the saints: whereas the other declaration is at least out of place in the context. If any man hath an ear, let him hear (see reff. This notice is given to bespeak solemn attention to what follows, as warning Christians of their fate in the days of the beast’s persecution). If any one is for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any to be slain ( = ) with (see reff. and note on ch. Rev 6:8 ) the sword, that (i. e. it is necessary that: , as the other reading supplies) he should be slain with the sword (so ref. Jer., “Such as are for death, to death: and such as are for the sword, to the sword: and such as are for the famine, to the famine: and such as are for captivity, to captivity:” cf. also Jer 43:11 and Zec 11:9 . As that was the order and process of God’s anger in his judgments on his people of old, so shall the issue be with the saints in the war of persecution which the beast shall wage with them). Here is (reff., viz. in the endurance of these persecutions) the endurance and the faith of the saints .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Rev 13:9 . The prophet’s nota bene introduces (Rev 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. Mat 26:52 ). This interpretation (rejecting or in 10 a ) is preferable to ( b ) that which reads (or even understands; with B. Weiss) , , or (so some cursives and versions) in 10 a , 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. Rev 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.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
If, &c. See Rev 2:7. Eighth and last occ Here to individuals, no longer to corporate churches. Note Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
9, 10.] These verses bear various meanings, according to the reading which we adopt. If the rec. be taken, they express a consolation to the persecuted saints in the form of a jus talionis: the judgment of God will overtake the persecutors, and in that form in which their persecution was exercised. If we take the reading in the text, they form a prophetic declaration how it shall fare with the saints in the day of persecution, and declare also that in holy suffering of captivity and death consists their faith and patience. The latter appears to me, both from critical and contextual considerations, by far the more eligible. Thus we have what is so frequent in this book, an O. T. citation (see below): and all falls into its place in connexion with the victorious war of the beast against the saints: whereas the other declaration is at least out of place in the context. If any man hath an ear, let him hear (see reff. This notice is given to bespeak solemn attention to what follows, as warning Christians of their fate in the days of the beasts persecution). If any one is for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any to be slain ( = ) with (see reff. and note on ch. Rev 6:8) the sword, that (i. e. it is necessary that: , as the other reading supplies) he should be slain with the sword (so ref. Jer., Such as are for death, to death: and such as are for the sword, to the sword: and such as are for the famine, to the famine: and such as are for captivity, to captivity: cf. also Jer 43:11 and Zec 11:9. As that was the order and process of Gods anger in his judgments on his people of old, so shall the issue be with the saints in the war of persecution which the beast shall wage with them). Here is (reff., viz. in the endurance of these persecutions) the endurance and the faith of the saints.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Rev 2:7, Rev 2:11, Rev 2:17, Rev 2:29
Reciprocal: Mat 12:44 – he findeth Mat 13:9 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 13:9. 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.
Rev 13:10. He that leadeth . . . shall go, etc. The verse is a statement of principle that is true in whatever domain of human activity it is considered. It is the rule of moral law and it is also true on the basis of cause and effect. It is the rule that Paul has in mind where he says, “Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” (Gal 6:7). Here is the patience and faith of the saints. This means that when all these commotions are taking place under the wicked powers of the world, the saints (Christians) will have an opportunity of proving their faith and patience by remaining steadfast and true to the Lord.
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verses 9-10.
6. 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 faith of the saints.–Rev 13:10. After the declaration concerning the eternal plan of the ages, verse nine added: “If any man have an ear, let him hear.” This was a note calling solemn attention to the divine pronouncement of verse ten. This significant statement was both a note of warning and a word of consolation: first, a warning that retribution would be administered to the persecutors who incarcerated in prison and killed with the sword the saints-they would suffer the vengeance of God, and experience the same evils which they inflicted on his church; it was the admonition to all of the churches that all who exercised the patience and faith, though they faced captivity and sword during the period of the dragon’s rage, would ultimately have the reward-that promise which permeates the Revelation from John’s signatory on Patmos, “your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ,” to the last note of comfort in the apocalypse, “He that testifieth these things saith, surely I come quickly.” Herein was “the patience and comfort of the saints,” pausing for decision at the very threshold of prison and sword. In these words of the vision John called all the saints in the empire to courage and resignation in the face of imperial violence.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
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 Rev 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.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
This exhortation urges the same hearing and heeding as the letters to the churches in chapters 2 and 3.
Fuente: Gary Hampton Commentary on Selected Books
Rev 13:9-10. If any man have an ear, let him hear It was customary with our Saviour, when he would have his auditors to pay a particular attention to what he had been saying, to add, He who hath ears to hear, let him hear. St. John repeats the same admonition at the end of each of the seven epistles to the seven churches of Asia, and here in the conclusion of his description of the beast, If any man have an ear, let him hear: and certainly the description of the beast is deserving of the highest attention upon many accounts, and particularly because the right interpretation of this book turns upon it, as one of its main hinges. It is added, by way of consolation to the church, that these enemies of God and of Christ, represented under the character of the beast, shall suffer the law of retaliation, and be as remarkably punished and tormented themselves, as they punished and tormented others, Rev 13:10. He who leadeth into captivity, shall go into captivity; he who killeth with the sword, must be killed with the sword Such a promise might administer some comfort; and indeed it would be wanted, for the patience and the faith of the saints would be tried to the utmost during the reign of the beast. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints Of all the trials and persecutions of the church this would be the most severe, and exceed those of the primitive times, both in degree and in duration.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
13:9 {14} If any man have an ear, let him hear.
(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; Rev 13:10
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The response of believers to the beast 13:9-10
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
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 chapters 2 and 3 (Rev 2:7; Rev 2:11; Rev 2:17; Rev 2:29; Rev 3:6; Rev 3:13; Rev 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 (Rev 3:10). It is what follows (Rev 13:10) that this verse announces, not what has preceded.