Revelation 11 · Verse 13

Revelation 11:13

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
Revelation 11:13, King James Version

Revelation 11:13 in other translations

BSBAnd in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
WEBIn that day there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
ASVAnd in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons: and the rest were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
YLTand in that hour came a great earthquake, and the tenth of the city did fall, and killed in the earthquake were names of men--seven thousands, and the rest became affrighted, and they gave glory to the God of the heaven.
DARBYAnd in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand names of men were slain in the earthquake. And the remnant were filled with fear, and gave glory to the God of the heaven.
BBEAnd in that hour there was a great earth-shock and a tenth part of the town came to destruction; and in the earth-shock seven thousand persons came to their end: and the rest were in fear, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
WebsterAnd the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were killed of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

What does Revelation 11:13 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
13. "In that same hour"; literally, "the hour." great earthquake--answering to the "great earthquake" under the sixth seal, just at the approach of the Lord (Re 6:12). Christ was delivered unto His enemies on the fifth day of the week, and on the sixth was crucified, and on the sabbath rested; so it is under the sixth seal and sixth trumpet that the last suffering of the Church, begun under the fifth seal and trumpet, is to be consummated, before she enters on her seventh day of eternal sabbath. Six is the number of the world power's greatest triumph, but at the same time verges on seven, the divine number, when its utter destruction takes place. Compare "666" in Re 13:18, "the number of the beast." tenth part of the city fell--that is, of "the great city" (Re 16:19; Zec 14:2). Ten is the number of the world kingdoms (Re 17:10-12), and the beast's horns (Re 13:1), and the dragon's (Re 12:3). Thus, in the Church-historical view, it is hereby implied that one of the ten apostate world kingdoms fall. But in the narrower view a tenth of Jerusalem under Antichrist falls. The nine-tenths remain and become when purified the center of Christ's earthly kingdom. of men--Greek, "names of men." The men are as accurately enumerated as if their names were given. seven thousand--Elliott interprets seven chiliads or provinces, that is, the seven Dutch United Provinces lost to the papacy; and "names of men," titles of dignity, duchies, lordships, &c. Rather, seven thousand combine the two mystical perfect and comprehensive numbers seven and thousand, implying the full and complete destruction of the impenitent. the remnant--consisting of the Israelite inhabitants not slain. Their conversion forms a blessed contrast to Re 16:9; and above, Re 9:20, 21. These repenting (Zec 12:10-14; 13:1), become in the flesh the loyal subjects of Christ reigning over the earth with His transfigured saints. gave glory to the God of heaven--which while apostates, and worshipping the beast's image, they had not done. God of heaven--The apostates of the last days, in pretended scientific enlightenment, recognize no heavenly power, but only the natural forces in the earth which come under their observation. His receiving up into heaven the two witnesses who had power during their time on earth to shut heaven from raining (Re 11:6), constrained His and their enemies who witnessed it, to acknowledge the God of heaven, to be God of the earth (Re 11:4). As in Re 11:4 He declared Himself to be God of the earth by His two witnesses, so now He proves Himself to be God of heaven also.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 13. And the same hour. In immediate connexion with their triumph.

Was there a great earthquake. An earthquake is a symbol of commotion, agitation, change; of great political revolutions, etc. Rev 6:12. The meaning here is, that the triumph of the witnesses, represented by their ascending to heaven, would be followed by such revolutions as would be properly symbolized by an earthquake.

And the tenth part of the city fell. That is, the tenth part of that which is represented by the "city"--the persecuting power. A city would be the seat and centre of the power, and the acts of persecution would seem to proceed from it; but the destruction, we may suppose, would extend to all that was represented by the persecuting power. The word "tenth" is probably used in a general sense to denote that a considerable portion of the persecuting power would be thus involved in ruin; that is, that in respect to that power there would be such a revolution, such a convulsion or commotion, such a loss, that it would be proper to represent it by an earthquake.

And in the earthquake. In the convulsions consequent on what would occur to the witnesses.

Were slain of men seven thousand. Marg., as in the Greek, "names of men"--the name being used to denote the men themselves. The number here mentioned--seven thousand--seems to have been suggested because it would bear some proportion to the tenth part of the city which fell. It is not necessary to suppose, in seeking for the fulfilment of this, that just seven thousand would be killed; but the idea clearly is, that there would be such a diminution of numbers as would be well represented by a calamity that would overwhelm a tenth part of the city, such as the apostle had in his eye, and a proportional number of the inhabitants. The number that would be slain, therefore, in the convulsions and changes consequent on the treatment of the witnesses, might be numerically much larger than seven thousand, and might be as great as if a tenth part of all that were represented by the "city" should be swept away.

And the remnant were affrighted. Fear and alarm came on them in consequence of these calamities. The "remnant" here refers to those who still remained in the "city;" that is, to those who belonged to the community or people designed to be represented here by the city.

And gave glory to the God of heaven. Compare Lk 5:26: "And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to-day." All that seems to be meant by this is, that they stood in awe at what God was doing, and acknowledged his power in the changes that occurred. It does not mean, necessarily, that they would repent and become truly his friends, but that there would be a prevailing impression that these changes were produced by his power, and that his hand was in these things. This would be fulfilled if there should be a general willingness among mankind to acknowledge God, or to recognise his hand in the events referred to; if there should be a disposition extensively prevailing to regard the "witnesses" as on the side of God, and to favour their cause as one of truth and righteousness; and if these convulsions should so far change public sentiment as to produce an impression that theirs was the cause of God.

(c) "city" Rev 16:19 (1) "slain of men" "names of men" (d) "gave glory" Rev 14:7, Isa 26:15,16

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 13 A great earthquake - Violent commotions among the persecutors, and revolutions of states. Slain of men seven thousand - Many perished in these popular commotions. The remnant were affrighted - Seeing the hand of God's judgments so remarkably stretched out. Gave glory - Received the pure doctrines of the Gospel, and glorified God for his judgments and their conversion.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Revelation 11:3-13

In the time of treading down, God kept his faithful witnesses to attest the truth of his word and worship, and the excellence of his ways, The number of these witnesses is small, yet enough. They prophesy in sackcloth. It shows their afflicted, persecuted state, and deep sorrow for the abominations against which they protested. They are supported during their great and hard work, till it is done. When they had…

Read the full comment on Revelation 11:3-13 →

Revelation 11:13 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

καὶkaiAndG2532
ἐνeninG1722
ἐκείνῃekeinēthat [very]G1565
τῇtēa<the>G3588
ὥρᾳhōrahourG5610
ἐγένετοegenetothere wasG1096
σεισμὸςseismosan earthquakeG4578
μέγας,megasgreat,G3173
καὶkaiandG2532
τὸto<the>G3588
δέκατονdekatona tenthG1182
τῆςtēsof theG3588
πόλεωςpoleōscityG4172
ἔπεσεν,epesenfell,G4098
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀπεκτάνθησανapektanthēsanwere killedG615
ἐνeninG1722
τῷtōtheG3588
σεισμῷseismōearthquakeG4578
ὀνόματαonomatanamesG3686
ἀνθρώπωνanthrōpōnof menG444
χιλιάδεςchiliadesthousandG5505
ἑπτά.heptaseven.G2033
καὶkaiAndG2532
οἱhoitheG3588
λοιποὶloipoirestG3062
ἔμφοβοιemphoboiterrifiedG1719
ἐγένοντοegenontobecameG1096
καὶkaiandG2532
ἔδωκανedōkanthey gaveG1325
δόξανdoxangloryG1391
τῷtōto theG3588
θεῷtheōGodG2316
τοῦtou<the>G3588
οὐρανοῦ.ouranouof heaven.G3772

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Revelation 11:13

  • Revelation 14:7

    Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

  • Revelation 6:12

    And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

  • Joshua 7:19

    And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.

  • Revelation 16:9-11

    And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

  • Revelation 16:18-19

    And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

  • Revelation 15:4

    Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

  • Jeremiah 13:16

    Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

  • Revelation 8:5

    And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

  • Revelation 11:19

    And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

  • Revelation 11:11

    And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

  • Revelation 8:9-12

    And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

  • Isaiah 26:15-16

    Thou hast increased the nation, O Lord, thou hast increased the nation: thou art glorified: thou hadst removed it far unto all the ends of the earth. Lord, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
was there.
19; 6:12; 8:5; 16:18
and the tenth.
8:9-12; 13:1-3; 16:10,19
men. Gr. names of men.
3:4; Ge 6:4; Ac 1:15
and the remnant.
11
gave.
14:7; 15:4; 16:9; Jos 7:19; 1Sa 6:5; Isa 26:15,16; Jer 13:16; Mal 2:2

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Revelation 11:12

    And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

  • Revelation 11:13

    And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

  • Revelation 11:14

    The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

Read all of Revelation 11

Revelation 11:13 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y en aquella hora fué hecho gran temblor de tierra, y la décima parte de la ciudad cayó, y fueron muertos en el temblor de tierra en número de siete mil hombres: y los demás fueron espantados, y dieron gloria al Dios del cielo.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et à cette heure-là, il y eut un grand tremblement de terre; et la dixième partie de la ville tomba, et 7 000 noms d’hommes furent tués dans le tremblement de terre; et les autres furent épouvantés et donnèrent gloire au Dieu du ciel.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und in jener Stunde geschah ein großes Erdbeben, und der zehnte Teil der Stadt fiel, und siebentausend Menschennamen kamen in dem Erdbeben um; und die übrigen wurden voll Furcht und gaben dem Gott des Himmels Ehre.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et in illa hora factus est terræmotus magnus, et decima pars civitatis cecidit: et occisa sunt in terræmotu nomina hominum septem millia: et reliqui in timorem sunt missi, et dederunt gloriam Deo cæli.