Letter to Thyatira: Tolerance of Immorality and Promise to Overcomers
Revelation 2:18-29
Rev.2.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- αγγελω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- Θυατειροις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
- εκκλησιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- γραψον·Ταδε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- οφθαλμους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- φλογα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πυρος: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ποδες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ομοιοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- χαλκολιβανω·: NOUN,dat,sg,m
Parallels
- Revelation 1:14-15 (verbal): Same descriptive imagery of the risen Son: 'eyes like a flame of fire' and 'feet like burnished bronze,' used earlier in the Revelation introduction.
- Daniel 10:6 (verbal): Daniel's vision of a heavenly figure with 'eyes like flaming torches' and 'arms and feet like the gleam of burnished bronze'—a likely Old Testament source for the imagery.
- Revelation 19:12 (verbal): Another Johannine use of the 'eyes like a flame of fire' motif in a depiction of the exalted/warring Christ, echoing Rev 2:18's language.
- Ezekiel 1:7 (thematic): Ezekiel's visionary creatures feature feet that gleam like burnished bronze and vivid, metallic/fire imagery—background prophetic symbolism related to Revelation's visual language.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: Thus says he who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze:
- To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: Thus says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze:
Rev.2.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Οιδα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εργα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αγαπην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- διακονιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,fem
- και: CONJ
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- υπομονην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εργα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εσχατα: NOUN,nom,pl,n
- πλειονα: ADJ,acc,pl,neut
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- πρωτων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 (verbal): Uses similar triad language — 'work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope' — closely paralleling Revelation 2:19's 'love, faith, service, and perseverance.'
- Hebrews 6:10 (thematic): Affirms that God (or the Lord) acknowledges and remembers believers' 'work and labor of love,' echoing the commending of works and love in Rev 2:19.
- James 2:17 (thematic): Stresses the interconnection of faith and works ('faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead'), relating to Rev 2:19's coupling of faith and deeds.
- Revelation 2:2 (structural): Another church-address formula in Revelation: 'I know your works' followed by a list (toil, patient endurance), showing the same revelatory assessment pattern as 2:19.
- Galatians 5:6 (thematic): 'Faith working through love' connects the motifs of faith and love in Rev 2:19, emphasizing active faith expressed in love-driven service.
Alternative generated candidates
- I know your works, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your latter works are greater than the first.
- I know your works, your love, your service, your faith, your patience, and that your latter works are more than the first.
Rev.2.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- αλλα: CONJ
- εχω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- κατα: PREP
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- οτι: CONJ
- αφεις: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γυναικα: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- Ιεζαβελ: NOUN,acc,sg,f,prop
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- λεγουσα: VERB,pres,act,ptcp,nom,sg,f
- εαυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f,ref
- προφητιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- διδασκει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- πλανα: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- εμους: PRON,poss,acc,pl,1
- δουλους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- πορνευσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- και: CONJ
- φαγειν: VERB,aor,act,inf
- ειδωλοθυτα: NOUN,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Revelation 2:14 (verbal): Same charge language: Balaam 'taught Balak to put a stumbling block' leading God’s people to eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality — nearly identical vices ascribed to 'Jezebel.'
- Revelation 2:15 (thematic): The church is criticized for tolerating a corrupt teaching (the 'doctrine of the Nicolaitans')—parallels the complaint against tolerating 'Jezebel' and her misleading instruction.
- 1 Kings 16:31 (allusion): Introduction of the historical Jezebel (wife of Ahab) who promoted Baal worship in Israel; Revelation's use of the name evokes that OT figure who led God's people into idolatry and immorality.
- Deuteronomy 13:1-5 (allusion): Warning against prophets who entice the people to follow other gods — background legal/theological precedent for condemning a 'prophetess' who teaches idolatry.
- 1 Corinthians 10:7-8,20-21 (thematic): Paul links Israel's idolatry and sexual immorality and warns that eating food sacrificed to idols implicates fellowship with demons—echoing Revelation's coupling of sexual sin and participation in idol-feasts.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I have this against you: that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and deceives my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
- But I have this against you: that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
Rev.2.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- εδωκα: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- χρονον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- ινα: CONJ
- μετανοηση: VERB,aor,act,sub,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ου: PART,neg
- θελει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μετανοησαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- εκ: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- πορνειας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Revelation 2:20-23 (structural): Immediate context: the church is rebuked for tolerating 'Jezebel' who promotes sexual immorality; the passage frames the offer of time to repent and the threatened judgment for refusal.
- Revelation 17:1-5 (thematic): The figure of Babylon as a woman/whore who corrupts the nations parallels Jezebel's role as a seducing religious-prostitute, linking sexual imagery with idolatrous corruption and judgment.
- Hosea 4:12-14 (verbal): Prophetic language that depicts Israel's idolatry as prostitution; uses sexual-unfaithfulness imagery to denounce refusal to turn from sin, paralleling the moral charge against 'Jezebel.'
- Luke 13:6-9 (allusion): The parable of the fig tree being given an additional period to bear fruit echoes the motif 'I gave her time to repent'—divine patience prior to judgment.
- 2 Peter 3:9 (thematic): Declares God's patient desire that people repent rather than perish; conceptually parallels the offer of time for repentance and highlights the tragic nature of persistent refusal in Rev 2:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- I gave her time to repent, but she is unwilling.
- I gave her time to repent, and she was unwilling to repent of her immorality.
Rev.2.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ιδου: PART
- βαλλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- κλινην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μοιχευοντας: VERB,pres,act,part,acc,pl,m
- μετ᾽αυτης: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- θλιψιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- μεγαλην: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- εαν: CONJ
- μη: PART
- μετανοησωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- εκ: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εργων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
- αυτης·: PRON,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Hosea 2:2–13 (thematic): Portrays Israel as an unfaithful wife whose sexual infidelity brings punitive deprivation and humiliation by God until she is brought to repentance—parallel theme of harlotry followed by disciplinary judgment.
- Ezekiel 23:25–30 (allusion): Graphic prophetic judgment on adulterous 'sisters' (Oholah/Oholibah): exposure, violence, and plague as punishment for prostitution—echoes Rev.2:22’s imagery of sexual unfaithfulness met by severe affliction.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1–5 (structural): Paul instructs the church to deliver a sexually immoral member to Satan 'for the destruction of the flesh' so the spirit may be saved—structurally similar: punitive affliction applied to sexual sin with a view toward repentance and restoration.
- Revelation 17:16–17 (verbal): The beast and the kings turn against the great harlot, strip and destroy her—another Revelation passage that uses the harlot motif to describe divine/agentive punishment for spiritual prostitution.
- Luke 13:1–5 (thematic): Jesus warns that calamity should drive people to repentance—directly parallels Rev.2:22’s conditional clause 'unless they repent,' linking punitive suffering with the call to repent to avoid judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- See, I will cast her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
- Behold, I will cast her upon a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds.
Rev.2.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- τεκνα: NOUN,acc,pl,neut
- αυτης: PRO,gen,sg,f
- αποκτενω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- εν: PREP
- θανατω·και: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- γνωσονται: VERB,fut,pas,ind,3,pl
- πασαι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- εκκλησιαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- οτι: CONJ
- εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εραυνων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- νεφρους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- καρδιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- δωσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- εκαστω: ADJ,dat,sg,m
- κατα: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εργα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- Jeremiah 17:10 (verbal): Very close verbal parallel: YHWH 'searches the heart and tests the mind' and 'gives to each according to his ways,' echoing Revelation's language of searching hearts/minds and retribution according to works.
- Romans 2:6 (verbal): Paul's formula 'God will repay each person according to his deeds' parallels Revelation's promise to give to each according to his works (same retributive principle/phrase).
- Hebrews 4:12-13 (thematic): Describes God's word/act as discerning thoughts and intentions and that nothing is hidden from God's sight—echoes Revelation's claim that Jesus searches hearts and minds.
- Matthew 16:27 (thematic): The Son of Man 'will repay everyone according to his deeds,' a New Testament expression of coming divine recompense that parallels Revelation's promise of judgment according to works.
- Psalm 139:23-24 (thematic): Prayerful language about God searching and knowing the heart resonates with Revelation's emphasis that God (Christ) searches hearts and minds, underscoring divine knowledge of inner life.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each of you according to your works.
- And I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches minds and hearts, and I will give to each one of you according to your works.
Rev.2.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- δε: CONJ
- λεγω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- λοιποις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- εν: PREP
- Θυατειροις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- οσοι: PRON,nom,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εχουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- διδαχην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ταυτην: PRON,acc,sg,f
- οιτινες: PRO,rel,nom,pl,m
- ουκ: PART,neg
- εγνωσαν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- βαθεα: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Σατανα: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ως: ADV
- λεγουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
- ου: PART,neg
- βαλλω: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- εφ᾽υμας: PREP+PRON,acc,pl,m
- αλλο: ADJ,neut,sg,nom
- βαρος·: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Revelation 2:20 (structural): Immediate context in the same letter: verse 20 identifies the false 'teaching' (Jezebel) tolerated in Thyatira, which verse 24 contrasts with 'the rest' who do not hold that teaching.
- Revelation 2:14-15 (thematic): Earlier letters (Pergamum) accuse some of following Balaam/Nicolaitan teaching that led to idolatry and sexual immorality—parallels the charge of false doctrine and moral compromise in Thyatira.
- Acts 15:28-29 (verbal): The Jerusalem council language about laying 'no greater burden' on Gentile believers echoes the phrasing in Rev 2:24 ('I will put no other burden on you'), both addressing limits on imposed obligations for certain Christians.
- 1 Corinthians 2:10 (verbal): Paul speaks of the Spirit searching the 'depths' (βαθῆ) of God; Rev 2:24's reference to the 'deep things (βαθεα) of Satan' uses similar vocabulary to set up an antithesis between godly depths revealed by the Spirit and the deceptive 'depths' of Satan.
Alternative generated candidates
- But to the rest in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching and who have not known the depths of Satan—as they call them—I say no more to you.
- But to the rest in Thyatira—those who do not hold this teaching and who have not learned the so-called depths of Satan—I say: I place no other burden on you.
Rev.2.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πλην: PREP
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- κρατησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- αχρι: PREP
- ου: PART,neg
- αν: PART
- ηξω: VERB,aor,act,subj,1,sg
Parallels
- Rev.3.11 (verbal): Same exhortation within Revelation to 'hold fast' in view of Christ's coming (both urge perseverance until the Lord arrives).
- Hebrews 3:6 (verbal): Uses the same idea and verb-group (hold fast/κρατέω) — believers are God's house 'if we hold fast the confidence and boast of our hope firm to the end.' — emphasizes perseverance until the end.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:15 (thematic): Paul urges the church to 'stand firm and hold to the traditions' taught to them, a parallel appeal to retain what one has received in the face of future trial.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (verbal): 'Test all things; hold fast what is good' (κατέχετε) — a related verbal/thematic command to retain and preserve what is true and good.
- Matthew 24:13 (thematic): 'But the one who endures to the end will be saved' — a parallel theme of persevering/holding out until Christ's coming and the consummation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Only hold fast what you have until I come.
- Only hold fast what you have until I come.
Rev.2.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- νικων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- τηρων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αχρι: PREP
- τελους: NOUN,gen,sg,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- εργα: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- δωσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εξουσιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- επι: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- εθνων: NOUN,gen,pl,n
Parallels
- Revelation 3:21 (verbal): Same promise-formula to the overcomer — sharing Christ's rule ("he who conquers... I will grant to sit with me on my throne"); both promise participation in Christ's authority.
- Revelation 5:10 (thematic): Believers are granted kingly rule: "you made them a kingdom and priests... and they will reign on the earth," echoing the conferral of authority over nations to the faithful.
- Daniel 7:27 (thematic): Apocalyptic background: the kingdom, dominion and greatness under heaven are given to the saints of the Most High — an Old Testament precedent for giving authority over nations to God's people.
- Psalm 2:8-9 (allusion): Psalm 2's language of God granting the nations and ruling them with a rod of iron is echoed in Revelation's promises of authority and (in v.27) ruling with an iron scepter; Rev 2:26 alludes to this royal-vindicatory motif.
- Luke 22:29-30 (thematic): Jesus' promise to the disciples that he appoints them a kingdom and they will sit on thrones judging Israel parallels the promise that faithful followers will receive authority and rule in the eschatological kingdom.
Alternative generated candidates
- The one who conquers and keeps my works until the end I will give authority over the nations:
- To him who conquers and keeps my works until the end I will give authority over the nations.
Rev.2.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ποιμανει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- εν: PREP
- ραβδω: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- σιδηρα: ADJ,dat,sg,f
- ως: ADV
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- σκευη: NOUN,acc,pl,n
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- κεραμικα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- συντριβεται: VERB,pres,pass,ind,3,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 2:9 (quotation): Revelation 2:27 directly echoes Psalm 2:9 (LXX), borrowing the language of ruling with an iron rod and dashing vessels to pieces.
- Revelation 19:15 (verbal): Uses the same 'rod of iron' imagery to describe Christ’s sovereign, judicial rule at the eschaton.
- Revelation 12:5 (verbal): Speaks of the male child who will 'rule the nations with a rod of iron,' repeating the authoritative motif found in 2:27.
- Isaiah 30:14 (thematic): Describes a potter’s vessel being broken to pieces as a metaphor for destruction—paralleling the 'broken to shivers' simile in 2:27.
- Jeremiah 19:10-11 (allusion): Prophetic act of smashing a potter’s vessel as a symbol of judgment—similar imagery of vessels being broken in Revelation 2:27.
Alternative generated candidates
- he will rule them with an iron rod and dash them to pieces like the potter’s vessels—just as I also have received authority from my Father.
- He will rule them with an iron rod, and he will dash them to pieces like the potter's vessels—just as I received authority from my Father.
Rev.2.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ως: ADV
- καγω: CONJ+PRON,nom,sg,1
- ειληφα: VERB,perf,act,ind,1,sg
- παρα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- πατρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μου: PRON,gen,sg,1
- και: CONJ
- δωσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αστερα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- πρωινον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
Parallels
- Rev.22.16 (verbal): Explicitly calls Jesus the 'bright morning star'—direct verbal parallel to giving the 'morning star' in 2:28 (identifies the gift as Christ himself).
- 2 Pet.1.19 (thematic): Uses 'morning star' imagery for the dawning revelation of Christ ('until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts'), thematically linking the motif of the morning star with Christ and revelation.
- Num.24.17 (allusion): Balaam's oracle 'a star shall come out of Jacob' is a messianic star motif later applied to Christ; echoes the idea of a divinely given, ruler-like 'star' as messianic gift or sign.
- Matt.28.18 (thematic): Jesus' declaration 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me' parallels the idea in Rev 2:26–28 that Christ received authority from the Father and will distribute rule (here symbolized by giving the 'morning star').
Alternative generated candidates
- And I will give him the morning star.
- I will also give him the morning star.
Rev.2.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- εχων: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- ους: PRON,acc,pl,m
- ακουσατω: VERB,aor,act,imp,3,sg
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- πνευμα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ταις: ART,dat,pl,f
- εκκλησιαις: NOUN,dat,pl,f
Parallels
- Revelation 2:7 (verbal): Uses the same closing formula addressed to a church: 'He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches' (identical exhortation and reference to the Spirit speaking to the churches).
- Revelation 2:11 (verbal): Another instance of the identical admonition closing a church message, repeating the imperative to hear what the Spirit says to the churches (part of the repeated sevenfold closing formula).
- Revelation 3:22 (verbal): Final occurrence of the same exact phrase at the end of the seven church messages—same wording and function as a concluding summons to heed the Spirit's message to the churches.
- Matthew 13:9 (verbal): Jesus' parabolic formula 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear' parallels the imperative in Revelation; both call for attentive, discerning hearing of divine revelation.
- Mark 4:9 (verbal): Parallel synoptic wording ('He who has ears to hear, let him hear') used by Jesus to urge audiences to perceive the meaning of his teaching—verbal and functional parallel to Revelation's exhortation to heed the Spirit.
Alternative generated candidates
- He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
- He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: Thus says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze:
I know your works, and your love and faith and service and patient endurance, and that your latter works exceed the first. But I have this against you: that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and teaches and leads my servants astray to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
I gave her time to repent, but she would not repent of her immorality.
Behold, I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds. And I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches minds and hearts; and I will give to each of you according to your works. But to the rest in Thyatira, to you who do not hold this teaching and have not learned the so‑called 'deep things of Satan,' I say this: I will not impose on you any further burden.
Only hold fast what you have until I come.
The one who conquers and keeps my works to the end I will give authority over the nations—
he will rule them with a rod of iron and dash them to pieces like pottery— even as I also have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning star.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.