CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/2-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/66_Rev_02_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 2:20 - To the Church in Thyatira" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/revelation/2-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/revelation/2-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/revelation/">Revelation</a> > <a href="/revelation/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/revelation/2-19.htm" title="Revelation 2:19">◄</a> Revelation 2:20 <a href="/revelation/2-21.htm" title="Revelation 2:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/revelation/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/revelation/2.htm">New International Version</a> Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. <a href="/nlt/revelation/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> “But I have this complaint against you. You are permitting that woman—that Jezebel who calls herself a prophet—to lead my servants astray. She teaches them to commit sexual sin and to eat food offered to idols. <a href="/esv/revelation/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. <a href="/bsb/revelation/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. <a href="/blb/revelation/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But I have against you that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, the one calling herself a prophetess and teaching and misleading My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/kjv/revelation/2.htm">King James Bible</a> Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. <a href="/nkjv/revelation/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/nasb/revelation/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/nasb77/revelation/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> ‘But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and leads My bond-servants astray, so that they commit acts of immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/lsb/revelation/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and deceives My slaves so that they commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/amp/revelation/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But I have this [charge] against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess [claiming to be inspired], and she teaches and misleads My bond-servants so that they commit [acts of sexual] immorality and eat food sacrificed to idols. <a href="/csb/revelation/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But I have this against you: You tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives My slaves to commit sexual immorality and to eat meat sacrificed to idols. <a href="/asv/revelation/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/cev/revelation/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But I still have something against you because of that woman Jezebel. She calls herself a prophet, and you let her teach and mislead my servants to do immoral things and to eat food offered to idols. <a href="/erv/revelation/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess; and she teacheth and seduceth my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/gwt/revelation/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But I have something against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. She teaches and misleads my servants to sin sexually and to eat food sacrificed to idols. <a href="/gnt/revelation/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> But this is what I have against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a messenger of God. By her teaching she misleads my servants into practicing sexual immorality and eating food that has been offered to idols. <a href="/isv/revelation/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and who teaches and leads my servants to practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. <a href="/msb/revelation/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols. <a href="/net/revelation/2.htm">NET Bible</a> But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. <a href="/nheb/revelation/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/wbt/revelation/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit lewdness, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/wey/revelation/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Yet I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and by her teaching leads astray My servants, so that they commit fornication and eat what has been sacrificed to idols. <a href="/web/revelation/2.htm">World English Bible</a> But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> But I have a few things against you: that you allow the woman Jezebel, who is calling herself a prophetess, to teach, and to lead astray, My servants to commit whoredom, and to eat idol-sacrifices; <a href="/blb/revelation/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But I have against you that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, the one calling herself a prophetess and teaching and misleading My servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/ylt/revelation/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'But I have against thee a few things: That thou dost suffer the woman Jezebel, who is calling herself a prophetess, to teach, and to lead astray, my servants to commit whoredom, and idol-sacrifices to eat; <a href="/slt/revelation/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But I have a few things against thee, for thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, calling herself a prophetess, to teach and to lead my servants astray to commit fornication, and to eat things offered to idols.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But I have against thee a few things: because thou sufferest the woman Jezabel, who calleth herself a prophetess, to teach, and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat of things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/cpdv/revelation/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But I have a few things against you. For you permit the woman Jezabel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication and to eat the food of idolatry. <a href="/nabre/revelation/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to practice fornication and to eat food sacrificed to idols.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you allowed that woman of yours Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “I have much against you, because you are tolerating your wife Jezebel who says about herself that she is a Prophetess, and teaches and seduces my Servants to commit fornication and to eat the sacrifices of idols.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But I have against you that you suffer that woman Jezebel, who calls her self a prophetess, and teaches and deceives my servants to practice lewdness, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/godbey/revelation/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>But I have it against you, that you suffer the woman Jezebel, who says herself to be a prophet, and teaches and deceives my servants to commit fornication, and to cat things sacrificed to idols.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/revelation/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Yet I have a few things against thee, because thou hast suffered that woman Jezabel, calling herself a prophetess, to teach, and to lead my servants into error, to commit whoredom, and eat the idol sacrifices. <a href="/mace/revelation/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezabel, who stiles herself a prophetess, and teaches and seduces my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols. <a href="/wey/revelation/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Yet I have this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and by her teaching leads astray My servants, so that they commit fornication and eat what has been sacrificed to idols. <a href="/worrell/revelation/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>But I have it against you, that you suffer the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess; and she teaches and seduces My servants to commit fornication, and to eat idol-sacrifices.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/revelation/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>But I have a few <Fr>things<FR> against thee; because thou sufferest the woman Jezabel, who saith that she is a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/revelation/2-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJfD7KQcx0I?start=485" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/revelation/2.htm">To the Church in Thyatira</a> …19I know your deeds—your love, your faith, your service, your perseverance—and your latter deeds are greater than your first. 20<a href="/greek/235.htm" title="235: Alla (Conj) -- But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.">But</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echō (V-PIA-1S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">I have this</a> <a href="/greek/2596.htm" title="2596: kata (Prep) -- A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).">against</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you:</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because."></a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: apheis (V-PIA-2S) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">You tolerate</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēn (Art-AFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">that</a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaika (N-AFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">woman</a> <a href="/greek/2403.htm" title="2403: Iezabel (N-AFS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jezabel, a Tyrian woman.">Jezebel,</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">who</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legousa (V-PPA-NFS) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">calls</a> <a href="/greek/1438.htm" title="1438: heautēn (RefPro-AF3S) -- Himself, herself, itself. ">herself</a> <a href="/greek/4398.htm" title="4398: prophētin (N-AFS) -- A prophetess. Feminine of prophetes; a female foreteller or an inspired woman.">a prophetess.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1321.htm" title="1321: didaskei (V-PIA-3S) -- To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach.">By her teaching</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/4105.htm" title="4105: plana (V-PIA-3S) -- To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam.">she misleads</a> <a href="/greek/1699.htm" title="1699: emous (PPro-AM1P) -- My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.">My</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1401.htm" title="1401: doulous (N-AMP) -- (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave.">servants</a> <a href="/greek/4203.htm" title="4203: porneusai (V-ANA) -- To fornicate; met: I practice idolatry. From porne; to act the harlot, i.e. indulge unlawful lust, or practise idolatry.">to be sexually immoral</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/5315.htm" title="5315: phagein (V-ANA) -- A primary verb; to eat.">to eat</a> <a href="/greek/1494.htm" title="1494: eidōlothyta (Adj-ANP) -- Neuter of a compound of eidolon and a presumed derivative of thuo; an image-sacrifice, i.e. Part of an idolatrous offering.">food sacrificed to idols.</a> 21Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31</a> And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. <a href="/1_kings/21-25.htm">1 Kings 21:25</a> (Surely there was never one like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the LORD, incited by his wife Jezebel. <a href="/2_kings/9-22.htm">2 Kings 9:22</a> When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Have you come in peace, Jehu?” “How can there be peace,” he replied, “as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother Jezebel abound?” <a href="/2_kings/9-30.htm">2 Kings 9:30-37</a> Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. / And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?” / He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him. ... <a href="/jeremiah/7-9.htm">Jeremiah 7:9</a> Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, <a href="/jeremiah/23-14.htm">Jeremiah 23:14</a> And among the prophets of Jerusalem I have seen a horrible thing: They commit adultery and walk in lies. They strengthen the hands of evildoers, so that no one turns his back on wickedness. They are all like Sodom to Me; the people of Jerusalem are like Gomorrah.” <a href="/ezekiel/13-17.htm">Ezekiel 13:17-23</a> Now, O son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people who prophesy out of their own imagination. Prophesy against them / and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their wrists and make veils for the heads of people of every height, in order to ensnare their souls. Will you ensnare the souls of My people but preserve your own? / You have profaned Me among My people for handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to My people who would listen, you have killed those who should not have died and spared those who should not have lived. ... <a href="/ezekiel/16-32.htm">Ezekiel 16:32</a> You adulterous wife! You receive strangers instead of your own husband! <a href="/ezekiel/23-37.htm">Ezekiel 23:37</a> For they have committed adultery, and blood is on their hands. They have committed adultery with their idols. They have even sacrificed their children, whom they bore to Me, in the fire as food for their idols. <a href="/hosea/4-12.htm">Hosea 4:12-14</a> My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. / They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. / I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin. <a href="/micah/6-16.htm">Micah 6:16</a> You have kept the statutes of Omri and all the practices of Ahab’s house; you have followed their counsel. Therefore I will make you a desolation, and your inhabitants an object of contempt; you will bear the scorn of the nations.” <a href="/nahum/3-4.htm">Nahum 3:4</a> because of the many harlotries of the harlot, the seductive mistress of sorcery, who betrays nations by her prostitution and clans by her witchcraft. <a href="/matthew/24-24.htm">Matthew 24:24</a> For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. <a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20</a> Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. <a href="/romans/2-20.htm">Romans 2:20</a> an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.I have.<a href="/revelation/2-4.htm">Revelation 2:4,14</a> Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love… that woman.<a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31</a> And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.<a href="/1_kings/17-4.htm">1 Kings 17:4,13</a> And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there… <a href="/1_kings/19-1.htm">1 Kings 19:1,2</a> And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword… and to seduce.<a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14</a> But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.<a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Exodus 34:15</a> Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;<a href="/numbers/25-1.htm">Numbers 25:1,2</a> And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/jude/1-15.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-14.htm">Beguiling</a> <a href="/revelation/1-1.htm">Bond-Servants</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-15.htm">Calls</a> <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/revelation/2-17.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/revelation/2-7.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Few</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-22.htm">Food</a> <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Fornication</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-22.htm">Herself</a> <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Immorality</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-37.htm">Jezebel</a> <a href="/2_kings/9-37.htm">Jez'ebel</a> <a href="/james/2-16.htm">Notwithstanding</a> <a href="/1_john/3-10.htm">Practice</a> <a href="/luke/2-37.htm">Prophetess</a> <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/1_john/2-26.htm">Seduce</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-21.htm">Seduces</a> <a href="/revelation/1-1.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/1_john/2-27.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/1_john/2-27.htm">Teaches</a> <a href="/1_john/2-27.htm">Teacheth</a> <a href="/revelation/2-15.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/revelation/2-2.htm">Tolerate</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/15-4.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/colossians/2-4.htm">Beguiling</a> <a href="/revelation/7-3.htm">Bond-Servants</a> <a href="/revelation/13-10.htm">Calls</a> <a href="/revelation/2-22.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/revelation/10-9.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/2-16.htm">Eating</a> <a href="/revelation/3-4.htm">Few</a> <a href="/revelation/7-16.htm">Food</a> <a href="/revelation/2-21.htm">Fornication</a> <a href="/revelation/17-6.htm">Herself</a> <a href="/revelation/9-20.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/revelation/2-21.htm">Immorality</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">Jezebel</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-4.htm">Jez'ebel</a> <a href="/exodus/16-20.htm">Notwithstanding</a> <a href="/revelation/9-21.htm">Practice</a> <a href="/exodus/15-20.htm">Prophetess</a> <a href="/revelation/6-9.htm">Sacrificed</a> <a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Seduce</a> <a href="/exodus/22-16.htm">Seduces</a> <a href="/revelation/6-11.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/revelation/2-21.htm">Sexual</a> <a href="/exodus/4-12.htm">Teach</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-10.htm">Teaches</a> <a href="/judges/8-16.htm">Teacheth</a> <a href="/revelation/2-24.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/psalms/101-5.htm">Tolerate</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 2</div>1. <a href="/revelation/2-1.htm">What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,</a> 8. <a href="/revelation/2-8.htm">Smyrna,</a> 12. <a href="/revelation/2-12.htm">Pergamos,</a> 18. <a href="/revelation/2-18.htm">Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/revelation/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But I have this against you: This phrase indicates a rebuke from Jesus to the church in Thyatira. It follows a pattern seen in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation, where commendation is often followed by correction. The phrase underscores the seriousness of the issue at hand, highlighting the need for repentance and correction within the church.You tolerate that woman Jezebel: The reference to "Jezebel" is symbolic, drawing from the Old Testament figure, Queen Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, known for leading Israel into idolatry and immorality (<a href="/1_kings/16-31.htm">1 Kings 16:31-33</a>). The use of her name suggests the presence of a similar corrupting influence within the church. Tolerance here implies a failure to confront and remove false teachings and immoral practices, which is a significant issue in maintaining the purity of the church.who calls herself a prophetess: This indicates that the woman in question claimed spiritual authority and insight, positioning herself as a leader or teacher within the church. The self-designation as a prophetess suggests a false claim to divine revelation, contrasting with true prophets who are called by God. This self-appointment is a warning against accepting spiritual authority without discernment.By her teaching she misleads My servants: The phrase highlights the impact of false teaching on the believers, leading them astray from the truth. The term "My servants" emphasizes the personal relationship between Jesus and His followers, and the gravity of leading them into error. This reflects the broader biblical theme of the danger of false prophets and teachers (<a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15</a>, <a href="/2_peter/2.htm">2 Peter 2:1</a>).to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols: These specific sins were prevalent in the Greco-Roman world, often associated with pagan worship practices. Sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols were explicitly condemned in the early church (<a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20</a>, <a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18</a>, <a href="/1_corinthians/8.htm">1 Corinthians 8:1-13</a>). The mention of these sins indicates a departure from Christian ethical standards and a compromise with surrounding pagan culture. This serves as a call to holiness and separation from practices that contradict the teachings of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jezebel.htm">Jezebel</a> A symbolic reference to a woman in the church of Thyatira who is likened to the Old Testament figure Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, known for leading Israel into idolatry and immorality. 2. <a href="/topical/t/thyatira.htm">Thyatira</a> An ancient city in Asia Minor, known for its trade guilds. The church in Thyatira is one of the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation. 3. <a href="/topical/p/prophetess.htm">Prophetess</a> The self-proclaimed title of the woman referred to as Jezebel, indicating her claim to spiritual authority and insight. 4. <a href="/topical/s/sexual_immorality.htm">Sexual Immorality</a> A term used to describe the moral corruption and sinful practices that Jezebel was leading the church members into. 5. <a href="/topical/f/food_sacrificed_to_idols.htm">Food Sacrificed to Idols</a> A practice condemned in the early church, as it was associated with pagan worship and idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_tolerance_in_the_church.htm">The Danger of Tolerance in the Church</a> Tolerating false teachings and immoral practices can lead to spiritual decay. The church must remain vigilant and uphold biblical truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_false_prophets.htm">The Influence of False Prophets</a> False prophets can lead believers astray by distorting God's Word. Discernment and adherence to Scripture are crucial. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a> Just as the church in Thyatira was called to repent, believers today must be willing to turn away from sin and seek God's forgiveness. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_purity.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Purity</a> Maintaining spiritual purity involves rejecting practices that compromise our faith, such as idolatry and immorality. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_church_leadership.htm">The Role of Church Leadership</a> Church leaders have a responsibility to protect the flock from false teachings and to guide them in truth.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_revelation_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 2</a> <a href="/q/is_'jezebel'_in_thyatira_literal_or_symbolic.htm">Revelation 2:20 – Was “Jezebel” in Thyatira an actual prophetess, or is she purely symbolic, and how does this align or clash with other scriptural views on women’s roles? </a> <a href="/q/what_defines_jezebel's_life_and_legacy.htm">What events define Jezebel's life and legacy?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_jezebel_spirit.htm">What defines the Jezebel spirit?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_the_thyatira_church_important.htm">What is the significance of the Church in Thyatira?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/revelation/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) A few things.--The Sinaitic MS. has "I have much against thee; but the reading, I have against thee that thou lettest alone, &c., is to be preferred.Jezebel.--Some adopt the reading, "thy wife Jezebel." From these words it has been thought that there was some personal influence at work for evil in Thyatira. Whether in the household of the "angel" or not is at least doubtful. The sin alleged against her is the same for which the Nicolaitanes are condemned--fornication, and the eating of things sacrificed to idols. If the above view be right, the leader of the exorcists is a woman--regarded by her followers as a prophetess, as one with a real message from God; but viewed by the Lord of the churches as a very Jezebel, teaching and seducing the servants of God. For letting her alone, for being timid, paying too much deference to her spiritual pretensions, for failing to see and to show that the so-called "deep things" of these teachers were depths of Satan, the chief minister is rebuked. A large number of respectable critics regard Jezebel as a name applied to a faction, not as belonging to an individual. It seems best to view the name as symbolical, always remembering that the Jezebel spirit of proud, self-constituted authority, vaunting claims of superior holiness, or higher knowledge, linked with a disregard of--and perhaps a proud contempt for--"legalism," and followed by open immorality, has again and again run riot in the churches of God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - But I have against thee that thou sufferest. This is certainly fight. "A few things" (ὀλίγα) is an insertion in some inferior authorities. Others insert "many things" (πόλλα); the Sinaitic inserts "much" (πόλυ); while the best authorities have nothing between κατὰ σοῦ and ὅτι; and then ὅτι must be rendered "that" rather than "because." The construction is the same as in ver. 4. There is a right and a wrong suffering; and the Church in Thyatira exhibits both. The enduring of tribulation (ὑπομονή) is commended; the toleration of evil (ἀφεῖς) is rebuked. It is not said that Jezebel receives sympathy or encouragement, but merely that she is let alone; her wickedness is left unchecked, and that is sinful. For this use of ἀφίεναι, comp. <a href="/john/11-48.htm">John 11:48</a>; <a href="/john/12-7.htm">John 12:7</a>. It is difficult to decide between "the woman" (τὴν γυνααῖκα) and "thy wife" (τὴν γυναῖκα σοῦ), authorities being much divided; the balance seems in favour of the former. But even if "thy wife" be preferred, there is no need to understand Jezebel as indicating a distinct person. We are in the region of figures and metaphors. Perhaps all that is indicated is that the angel of the Church at Thyatira is suffering from the tolerated presence of a baneful influence, as did Ahab, "whom Jezebel his wife stirred up" (<a href="/1_kings/21-25.htm">1 Kings 21:25</a>). And if it is not certain that any individual false prophetess is signified, it is scarcely worth while to speculate as to who this individual is. Jezebel may be a person, or she may be a form of false doctrine personified. If the former, Jezebel is doubtless not her real name, but a symbolical name of reproach, and what her name and status were we have no means of knowing. In any case the error represented by the name is closely akin to that of the Nicolaitans and to "the doctrine of Balaam." Whatever differences of detail there may have been, all three made Christian liberty a plea for an antichristian licence which claimed to be above the moral Law. And she teacheth and seduceth. This is an independent statement, and must not, as in the Authorized Version, be made to depend upon "thou sufferest." For the construction τὴν γυναῖκα Ιεζαβήλ ἡ λέγουσα, compare τῆς καινῆς Ιερουσαλὴμ ἡ καταβαίνουσα (<a href="/revelation/3-12.htm">Revelation 3:12</a>). The word for "seduce," or "lead astray" (πλανᾷν), in the active is frequent in St. John, especially in Revelation (<a href="/revelation/12-9.htm">Revelation 12:9</a> 13:14; 19:20; 20:3, 8, 10; <a href="/john/7-12.htm">John 7:12</a>; <a href="/1_john/1-8.htm">1 John 1:8</a>; <a href="/1_john/2-26.htm">1 John 2:26</a>; <a href="/1_john/3-7.htm">1 John 3:7</a>). A comparison of these passages will lead to the conclusion that the word implies seduction into error of a very grave kind. It is not clear whether "fornication" is to be understood literally, or, as often in the Old Testament, in the spiritual sense of idolatry. The former seems more probable. "My servants" means all Christians, as is clear from <a href="/revelation/7-3.htm">Revelation 7:3</a> and Revelation 22:3; it must not be limited to those in authority in the Church. (For "things sacrificed to idols," see notes on ver. 14.) <a href="/commentaries/revelation/2-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But Ἀλλὰ (Alla) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_235.htm">Strong's 235: </a> But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise. I have [this] ἔχω (echō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. against κατὰ (kata) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_2596.htm">Strong's 2596: </a> A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined). you: σοῦ (sou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. You tolerate ἀφεῖς (apheis) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications. that τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. woman γυναῖκα (gynaika) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. Jezebel, Ἰεζάβελ (Iezabel) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jezabel, a Tyrian woman. who ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. calls λέγουσα (legousa) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. herself ἑαυτὴν (heautēn) Reflexive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1438.htm">Strong's 1438: </a> Himself, herself, itself. a prophetess. προφῆτιν (prophētin) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4398.htm">Strong's 4398: </a> A prophetess. Feminine of prophetes; a female foreteller or an inspired woman. By her teaching διδάσκει (didaskei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1321.htm">Strong's 1321: </a> To teach, direct, admonish. A prolonged form of a primary verb dao; to teach. she misleads πλανᾷ (plana) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4105.htm">Strong's 4105: </a> To lead astray, deceive, cause to wander. From plane; to roam. My ἐμοὺς (emous) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1699.htm">Strong's 1699: </a> My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my. servants δούλους (doulous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1401.htm">Strong's 1401: </a> (a) (as adj.) enslaved, (b) (as noun) a (male) slave. From deo; a slave. to be sexually immoral πορνεῦσαι (porneusai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_4203.htm">Strong's 4203: </a> To fornicate; met: I practice idolatry. From porne; to act the harlot, i.e. indulge unlawful lust, or practise idolatry. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. to eat φαγεῖν (phagein) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> A primary verb; to eat. food sacrificed to idols. εἰδωλόθυτα (eidōlothyta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1494.htm">Strong's 1494: </a> Neuter of a compound of eidolon and a presumed derivative of thuo; an image-sacrifice, i.e. Part of an idolatrous offering. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/2-20.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you that (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/2-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 2:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 2:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/2-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 2:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 2:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>