Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
Parallel translations
- WEB When the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.
- KJV And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
- BSB And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
- NASB And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
- NLT When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Cast down to earth, the dragon turns to persecute the woman who bore the male child. Unable to destroy Christ, Satan attacks His people.
Overview
Having failed against the ascended Christ, the dragon vents his fury on the church, the community from which the Messiah came. This explains the persecution God's people endure throughout the age. The enemy's hostility toward Christ is redirected at those who belong to Him (compare Acts 9:4-5). Yet, as the following verses show, God provides protection even in this assault.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Gen 3:15I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”
- John 16:33I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
- Rev 12:3–5Another sign was seen in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven crowns.
- Ps 37:12–14The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.
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Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 12:13 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.