And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

REVELATION 13:4KJV
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Revelation 13:4 (KJV)

What does Revelation 13:4 mean?

Revelation 13:4 describes people worshipping both the dragon and the beast, amazed by the beast’s power and asking who could possibly oppose it. The verse shows a scene where the crowd is in awe, seeing the beast as unbeatable and worthy of devotion because of its strength.

In the setting of Revelation, John is describing a vision where the dragon (often understood as a symbol for Satan) gives authority to the beast (a powerful, evil ruler or system). The people’s reaction—worshipping both the dragon and the beast—shows how completely they are taken in by this display of power, even to the point of asking who could ever defeat the beast.

The Greek behind Revelation 13:4

  • δράκοντα (drakonta): "dragon" — This word points to a specific figure in Revelation, often understood as a symbol for Satan. The focus on worshipping the dragon highlights the spiritual allegiance being given to evil.
  • ἐξουσίαν (exousian): "power" or "authority" — The Greek term here means more than just strength; it refers to the right or authority to rule. The beast’s power is not its own, but given by the dragon, emphasizing a chain of evil influence.
  • προσκύνησαν (proskynēsan): "worshipped" — This word carries the sense of bowing down or showing deep reverence, not just casual respect. The people’s worship is wholehearted and public.
  • τίς ὅμοιος τῷ θηρίῳ (tis homoios tō thēriō): "Who is like unto the beast?" — The Greek expresses a rhetorical question, showing awe and suggesting that the beast is seen as unique and unmatched.

Why Revelation 13:4 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the beast’s authority is not self-made; it is received from the dragon, which shapes how we understand the source of evil power in the vision.
  • The reaction of the people—worship and awe—shows the depth of deception and allegiance to evil, setting up the conflict that unfolds in the rest of the chapter.
  • The language echoes Old Testament phrases used for God ("Who is like the Lord?"), but here it is twisted and applied to the beast, highlighting the counterfeit nature of the beast’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“war” Greek G4170 · used in 6 verses

  • James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
  • Revelation 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
  • Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

“dragon” Greek G1404 · used in 12 verses

  • Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
  • Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
  • Revelation 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority.

“beast” Greek G2342 · used in 38 verses

  • Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
  • Revelation 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast.
  • Revelation 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

“like” Greek G3664 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,
  • Luke 7:32 They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept.
  • Revelation 4:3 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald.