And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

REVELATION 20:4KJV
Know the Bible

Revelation 20:4 (KJV)

What does Revelation 20:4 mean?

Revelation 20:4 describes a vision where people who remained faithful to Jesus, even to the point of being killed for their testimony and refusal to worship the beast or accept its mark, are given authority to judge and reign with Christ for a thousand years. This verse highlights a special reward and role for those who suffered and stayed loyal during times of persecution.

In this part of the book, John is sharing what he sees in his vision, speaking to early Christians facing hardship and pressure to compromise their faith. The verse paints a scene of thrones, judgment, and resurrection, emphasizing that those who resisted evil powers and stayed true to Jesus will share in His rule during a future period described as a thousand years. The focus is on vindication and honor for those who paid a high price for their faith.

The Greek behind Revelation 20:4

  • θρόνοι (thronoi, "thrones"): This word points to seats of authority or judgment, showing that those who suffered are now given a place to rule.
  • ψυχὰς (psychas, "souls"): The use of "souls" here often suggests people who have died, especially for their faith, highlighting their continued existence and importance in God’s plan.
  • ἐπεὶ τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ (martyria Iēsou, "witness of Jesus"): The Greek word for "witness" is where we get the word "martyr," underlining that these people gave testimony to Jesus even at the cost of their lives.
  • χάραγμα (charagma, "mark"): This word means an engraved mark or stamp, referring to the symbolic or literal sign of allegiance to the beast, which these faithful ones refused.

Why Revelation 20:4 matters

  • Revelation 20:4 clarifies that those who are killed for their faithfulness to Jesus are not forgotten but are honored with authority and life with Christ.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of Revelation, where resisting evil and remaining loyal to God, even under threat, leads to ultimate vindication.
  • It helps clear up confusion about the "mark of the beast," showing that refusing it is a sign of true allegiance to God, even when it brings suffering.

Where else these words appear

“foreheads” Greek G3359 · used in 8 verses

  • Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
  • Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
  • 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,

“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.

“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.

“reigned” Greek G936 · used in 18 verses

  • Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
  • Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
  • Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.