And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

REVELATION 20:2KJV
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Revelation 20:2 (KJV)

What does Revelation 20:2 mean?

Revelation 20:2 describes a powerful angel seizing and restraining the devil—called the dragon, the old serpent, the Devil, and Satan—for a period of a thousand years. This verse shows a dramatic moment where evil is forcefully held back for a set time.

In the book of Revelation, John is shown visions of future events. Here, he sees an angel acting under God’s authority, taking hold of the devil using several symbolic names that recall earlier parts of the Bible. The “thousand years” introduces a specific period, often called the “millennium,” during which Satan’s influence is stopped.

The Greek behind Revelation 20:2

  • δράκων (drakōn, “dragon”): This word highlights the devil’s fierce, destructive nature, echoing earlier imagery in Revelation.
  • ὄφις (ophis, “serpent”): This connects Satan to the serpent in Genesis, reminding readers of his role as the deceiver from the beginning.
  • διάβολος (diabolos, “Devil”): This term means “slanderer” or “accuser,” emphasizing the devil’s role in accusing and misleading.
  • Σατανᾶς (Satanas, “Satan”): This is a transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning “adversary,” underlining his opposition to God and humanity.
  • ἔδησεν (edēsen, “bound”): The Greek word here means to tie up or restrain, showing that Satan’s ability to act is completely limited for the thousand years.

Why Revelation 20:2 matters

  • Revelation 20:2 clarifies that the devil is not just a vague force but is identified with several well-known biblical figures of evil, tying together Old and New Testament ideas.
  • The verse emphasizes that God’s power is greater than Satan’s, since an angel can bind him for a set period.
  • This moment sets the stage for the events that follow in Revelation, explaining why evil is held back during the “thousand years” and what changes in the world as a result.

Where else these words appear

“thousand” Greek G5507 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
  • Revelation 14:20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
  • Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

“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.

“old” Greek G744 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
  • Luke 9:8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
  • Acts 21:16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.

“serpent” Greek G3789 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 7:10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
  • Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
  • 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.