And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

REVELATION 13:17KJV
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Revelation 13:17 (KJV)

What does Revelation 13:17 mean?

Revelation 13:17 describes a future situation where people are not allowed to buy or sell anything unless they have a specific mark, the name of the beast, or the number connected to the beast’s name. This verse highlights a system of control tied to allegiance or identification with the beast, making daily life and commerce impossible without this mark.

In the book of Revelation, John is sharing a vision with early Christian communities facing pressure and persecution. This verse comes in the middle of a description of the beast’s power and the way it forces people to show loyalty. The focus is on how economic activity—buying and selling—becomes restricted to only those who accept the beast’s mark or identity, showing how deeply the beast’s influence reaches into ordinary life.

The Greek behind Revelation 13:17

  • “Mark” (χάραγμα, charagma): This Greek word refers to an engraved, stamped, or branded mark. In this context, it suggests a visible sign of allegiance that is required for participation in society’s basic activities.
  • “Beast” (θηρίον, thērion): The Greek term means a wild animal or beast. Here, it represents a powerful, hostile force or figure that demands loyalty.
  • “Number” (ἀριθμός, arithmos): This word means a numerical value. The verse links the number directly to the beast’s name, hinting at an identifying code or symbol.
  • “Buy” (ἀγοράζω, agorazō) and “Sell” (πωλέω, pōleō): These everyday words for commercial activity show that the restriction is not just symbolic but affects real, practical needs.

Why Revelation 13:17 matters

  • Revelation 13:17 clarifies that the mark is not just a religious or symbolic sign, but something with real-world consequences for daily survival and economic life.
  • The verse emphasizes the total control the beast seeks to exert, not just over beliefs but over every aspect of society, including trade and personal freedom.
  • This detail connects to the wider passage’s warning about deceptive powers and the cost of resisting or conforming to such systems, helping readers understand the stakes described in John’s vision.

Where else these words appear

“mark” Greek G5480 · used in 9 verses

  • Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.
  • Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
  • Revelation 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.

“number” Greek G706 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 22:3 Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.
  • Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.
  • Revelation 7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

“sell” Greek G4453 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
  • Mark 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
  • Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

“buy” Greek G59 · used in 31 verses

  • Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
  • Mark 15:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.
  • John 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.