And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
REVELATION 20:3KJVWhat does Revelation 20:3 mean?
Revelation 20:3 describes how the devil is thrown into a "bottomless pit," locked away, and sealed so that he cannot deceive the nations for a thousand years, but after that time, he will be released for a short period. This verse shows a temporary restraint on evil, followed by a brief return before a final resolution.
In this part of John's vision, an angel acts on God's authority to imprison Satan, symbolizing a time when his influence is completely stopped. The language of locking and sealing emphasizes that this is a secure, divinely controlled situation, and the mention of "a little season" hints that this is not the final end, but a step in a larger unfolding plan.
The Greek behind Revelation 20:3
- ἄβυσσος (abussos, "pit"): This word means a deep, bottomless place—often imagined as a prison for evil powers. The use here stresses the total removal of Satan's influence, not just a temporary setback.
- ἐσφράγισεν (esphragisen, "set a seal"): This means to mark something as closed and protected, often with authority. The seal shows that Satan's imprisonment is official and cannot be broken by anyone except God.
- πλανήσῃ (planēsē, "deceive"): This word carries the sense of leading astray or causing to wander. The focus is on stopping Satan's ability to mislead people, which is a key part of his role in the book of Revelation.
- χρονὸν μικρόν (chronon mikron, "little season"): This phrase means a short period of time, emphasizing that Satan's release after the thousand years is brief and limited.
Why Revelation 20:3 matters
- This verse clarifies that Satan's power is not endless—he is under God's control and can be restrained or released only by divine command.
- The imagery of locking and sealing highlights the seriousness and completeness of this restraint, countering any idea that evil is always equally active.
- The mention of a "little season" connects this verse to the larger story in Revelation, preparing readers for a final confrontation and showing that the story of good and evil is not yet finished at this point.