These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.
Parallel translations
- WEB These have one mind, and they give their power and authority to the beast.
- KJV These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.
- NKJV These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast.
- NASB These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.
- NLT They will all agree to give him their power and authority.
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
These kings unite in one purpose, handing their power and authority to the beast. Evil organizes itself into a single rebellious front.
Overview
The ten kings surrender their strength to the beast, forming a unified opposition to God. This concentration of power looks formidable, yet it is precisely what God will turn to His own ends. The verse shows that even coordinated human rebellion remains a tool within God's sovereign plan.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Rev 17:17For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.
- Ezek 38:10This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan.
- Phil 1:27Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel,
- Phil 2:2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose.
- Isa 10:5–7Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger; the staff in their hands is My wrath.
- Acts 4:28They carried out what Your hand and will had decided beforehand would happen.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 17:13 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.