And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

REVELATION 19:20KJV
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Revelation 19:20 (KJV)

What does Revelation 19:20 mean?

Revelation 19:20 describes how the beast and the false prophet, who deceived people with miraculous signs and led them to worship the beast’s image and receive its mark, are captured and thrown alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. This verse shows a final, dramatic judgment on these two figures for their role in leading people astray.

In the book of Revelation, John is sharing a vision about the ultimate defeat of evil powers at the end of time. Here, the “beast” and “false prophet” represent forces of opposition to God, and their punishment is immediate and total. This scene comes after a great battle, emphasizing the certainty and seriousness of their fate.

The Greek behind Revelation 19:20

  • The word for “beast” (θηρίον, thērion) points to a wild, dangerous creature, underlining the threatening nature of this figure in John’s vision.
  • The word for “miracles” (σημεῖα, sēmeia) means “signs” or “wonders,” often understood as supernatural acts meant to convince or deceive people.
  • The word for “deceived” (ἐπλάνησεν, eplanēsen) carries the sense of leading someone astray or causing them to wander from the truth, highlighting the false prophet’s role in misleading people.
  • The phrase “lake of fire” (λίμνη τοῦ πυρός, limnē tou pyros) is a vivid image of final judgment and destruction, not just a place of punishment but a symbol of complete and irreversible defeat.

Why Revelation 19:20 matters

  • Revelation 19:20 clarifies that the defeat of evil is not just symbolic but involves specific judgment on the main figures who led people away from God.
  • The verse highlights that deception and false miracles are taken seriously and are met with decisive consequences.
  • This moment connects to the larger theme in Revelation of God’s ultimate victory over all opposition, showing that evil powers do not escape justice in the end.

Where else these words appear

“brimstone” Greek G2303 · used in 7 verses

  • Luke 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
  • Revelation 9:18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
  • Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

“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 13:17 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 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

“lake” Greek G3041 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
  • Luke 8:23 But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.
  • Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

“prophet” Greek G5578 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
  • Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
  • 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.