Revelation 20 - In Depth Bible Commentaries

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tion does not change the meaning of Revelation, but again demonstrates the freedom felt by
copyists and translators to make such additions to the text, taken from elsewhere in the document,
especially here from the parallel text in chapter 12, or from elsewhere in the New Testament.
See Revelation 2:9, 13, 13, 24; 3:9; 12:9; 20:2 (here), and 7.
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The verb äçóåí, edesen, “he bound,” is in the aorist, or "past" tense. If John
intended for his readers to think of something to happen in the far distant future, he could have
easily used the future tense. If, however, he intended for his readers to think of what had
already happened in the past, the tense that he has used is very appropriate.
This verb de,w, deo, “bind,” is found in Mark 3:22-27 (and the parallel passages in
Matthew 12:22-32 and Luke 11:14-22), in the story concerning Jesus and "Beelzeboul," a
story which has deep implications for our understanding of Revelation 20.
And the religious authorities who had come down from Jerusalem were saying
that He has Beelzeboul! And, that He is casting out the demons by (the power of) the
ruler of the demons!’ And (Jesus), having called them to Him, was speaking to them in
parables (or comparisons): How is the adversary to cast out the adversary? And, If a
kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand! And, If a family is
divided against itself, that family will not be able to stand! And, If the adversary has
risen up against himself, and is divided, he is not able to stand, but has reached (his)
end! But no one is able, having entered into the home of a strong person, to plunder
his belongings, unless first he binds the strong person; and then he will plunder his
home! (Mark 3:22-27)
Here is a parable / comparison of Jesus, spoken to the religious experts of His day. He
does not come out forthrightly to say that His mission in the world is to do battle with and
overcome all the forces of evil; but He hints at it in this tiny parable. Instead of thinking of Him
as a member of, or agent of the ruler of the "demonic family," who is acting (contrary to all
reason) in opposition to YHWH, the God of Israel, they should recognize in Him the One Who
has come into the household of evil to "bind" the "strong owner of the house," and then to
"thoroughly plunder" his entire household! Instead of being a member of the household of
evil, He should be looked upon as God's "Champion," the One Who is doing everything in His
power to "bind the strong man," and thereby to overthrow all the powers of evil, in order to free
God's people from their slavery!
Compare Isaiah 49:24-25, "Can the prey be taken from a strong man? Or the captive
be rescued from the [tyrant]? For thus says Yahweh: Even captives shall be wrested from the
strong man, and the prey of the tyrant be rescued. And I Myself contend with those who contend
with you, and I Myself help your children!" (Based on Claus Westermann's translation,
Deutero-Isaiah, p. 218)
This is what is happening in Jesus: YHWH God Himself is rescuing His people from
the strong grasp of the tyrant!
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