Revelation 2 · Verse 23

Revelation 2:23

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Revelation 2:23, King James Version

Revelation 2:23 in other translations

BSBThen I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.
WEBI will kill her children with Death, and all the assemblies will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.
ASVAnd I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.
YLTand her children I will kill in death, and know shall all the assemblies that I am he who is searching reins and hearts; and I will give to you--to each--according to your works.
DARBYand her children will I kill with death; and all the assemblies shall know that I am he that searches the reins and the hearts; and I will give to you each according to your works.
BBEAnd I will put her children to death; and all the churches will see that I am he who makes search into the secret thoughts and hearts of men: and I will give to every one of you the reward of your works.
WebsterAnd I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he who searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give to every one of you according to your works.

What does Revelation 2:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. her children--(Is 57:3; Eze 23:45, 47). Her proper adherents; not those who suffer her, but those who are begotten of her. A distinct class from the last in Re 2:22 (compare Note, see on Re 2:22), whose sin was less direct, being that only of connivance. kill ... with death--Compare the disaster that overtook the literal Jezebel's votaries of Baal, and Ahab's sons, 1Ki 18:40; 2Ki 10:6, 7, 24, 25. Kill with death is a Hebraism for slay with most sure and awful death; so "dying thou shalt die" (Ge 2:17). Not "die the common death of men" (Nu 16:29). all the churches shall know--implying that these addresses are designed for the catholic Church of all ages and places. So palpably shall God's hand be seen in the judgment on Thyatira, that the whole Church shall recognize it as God's doing. I am he--the "I" is strongly emphatical: "that it is I am He who," &c. searcheth ... hearts--God's peculiar attribute is given to Christ. The "reins" are the seat of the desires; the "heart," that of the thoughts. The Greek for "searcheth" expresses an accurate following up of all tracks and windings. unto every one of you--literally, "unto you, to each." according to your works--to be judged not according to the mere act as it appears to man, but with reference to the motive, faith and love being the only motives which God recognizes as sound.

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

Barnes' Notes
Verse 23. And I will kill her children with death. A strong Hebraistic mode of expression, meaning that he would certainly destroy It them. has been made a question whether the word children here is to be taken literally or figuratively. The word itself would admit of either interpretation; and there is nothing in the connexion by which its meaning here can be determined. If it is to be taken literally, it is in accordance with what is often threatened in the Scriptures, that children shall be visited with calamity for the sins of parents, and with what often occurs in fact that they do thus suffer. For, it is no uncommon thing that whole families are made desolate on account of the sin and folly of the parent. Rom 5:19. If it is to be taken figuratively, then it refers to those who had imbibed her doctrines, and who, of course, would suffer in the punishment which would follow from the propagation of such doctrines. The reference in the word death here would seem to be to some heavy judgment, by plague, famine, or sword, by which they would be cut off. And all the churches shall know, etc. That is, the design of this judgment will be so apparent, that it will convince all that I know what is in the hearts of men, even the secret acts of wickedness that are concealed from human view.

I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts. This is clearly a claim to omniscience; and as it is the Lord Jesus who speaks in all these epistles, it is a full proof that he claims this for himself. There is nothing which more clearly appertains to God than the power of searching the heart, and nothing that is more constantly claimed by him as his peculiar prerogative, 1Chr 28:19, Ps 7:9, 11:4, 44:21 Ps 139:2, Prov 15:3, Jer 11:20, 17:10, 20:12, 32:19, Heb 4:13. The word reins--νεφρους--means, literally, the kidney, and is commonly used in the plural to denote the kidneys, or the loins. In the Scriptures, it is used to denote the inmost mind, the secrets of the soul; probably because the parts referred to by the word are as hidden as any other part of the frame, and would seem to be the repository of the more secret affections of the mind. It is not to be supposed that it is taught in the Scriptures that the reins are the real seat of any of the affections or passions; but there is no more impropriety in using the term in a popular signification than there is in using the word heart, which all continue to use, to denote the seat of love.

And I will give unto every one of you according to your works. To every one of you; not only to those who have embraced these opinions, but to all the church. This is the uniform rule laid down in the Bible by which God will judge men.

(a) "kill" Rev 6:8 (b) "churches" Zeph 1:11 (c) "I am" 1Chr 28:9, 2Chr 6:30, Ps 7:9, Jer 17:10

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 23 And I will kill her children with death - "That is, I will certainly destroy her offspring and memory, and thereby ruin her designs. Jezebel's two sons, being both kings were both slain; and after that, all the seventy sons of Ahab; (2Kgs 10:1); in all which the hand of God was very visible. In the same manner God predicts the destruction of the heretics and heresies referred to; see Rev 2:16. It should seem by the expression, I am he which searcheth the reins and the hearts, that these heretics lurked about, and sowed their pernicious doctrines secretly. But our Savior tells them that it was in vain, for he had power to bring their deeds to light, having that Divine power of searching into the Evilly and affections of men; and hereby he would show both them and us that he is, according to his title, The Son of God; and hath such eyes to pry into their actions, that, like a fire, they will search into every thing, and burn up the chaff which cannot stand his trial; so that the depths of Satan, mentioned in the next verse, to which this alludes, (Christ assuming here this title purposely) shall avail nothing to those who think by their secret craft to undermine the Christian religion; he will not only bring to light, but baffle all their evil intentions. See Rev 17:9.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Revelation 2:18-29

Even when the Lord knows the works of his people to be wrought in love, faith, zeal, and patience; yet if his eyes, which are as a flame of fire, observe them committing or allowing what is evil, he will rebuke, correct, or punish them. Here is praise of the ministry and people of Thyatira, by One who knew the principles from which they acted. They grew wiser and better. All Christians should earnestly desire that…

Read the full comment on Revelation 2:18-29 →

Revelation 2:23 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
τὰtatheG3588
τέκναteknachildrenG5043
αὐτῆςautēsof herG846
ἀποκτενῶapoktenōI will killG615
ἐνenwithG1722
θανάτῳ,thanatōdeath,G2288
καὶkaiandG2532
γνώσονταιgnōsontaiwill knowG1097
πᾶσαιpasaiallG3956
αἱhaitheG3588
ἐκκλησίαιekklēsiaichurchesG1577
ὅτιhotithatG3754
ἐγώegōI myselfG1473
εἰμιeimiamG1510
ὁhothe [One]G3588
ἐραυνῶνeraunōnsearchingG2045
νεφροὺςnephrousaffectionsG3510
καὶkaiandG2532
καρδίας,kardiashearts,G2588
καὶkaiandG2532
δώσωdōsōI will giveG1325
ὑμῖνhuminof youG4771
ἑκάστῳhekastōto eachG1538
κατὰkataaccording toG2596
τὰtatheG3588
ἔργαergaworksG2041
ὑμῶν.humōnof you.G4771

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

Cross references for Revelation 2:23

  • Matthew 16:27

    For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

  • Psalms 7:9

    Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

  • Romans 8:27

    And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

  • 1 Peter 1:17

    And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

  • Acts 1:24

    And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

  • Jeremiah 11:20

    But, O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I revealed my cause.

  • Jeremiah 17:10

    I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

  • John 2:24-25

    But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

  • Romans 2:5-11

    But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, …

  • 1 Chronicles 29:17

    I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

  • Psalms 44:21

    Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

  • 2 Chronicles 6:30

    Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
with death.
6:8
and all.
7,11; De 13:11; 17:13; 19:20; 21:21; Zep 1:11
I am.
1Sa 16:7; 1Ch 28:9; 29:17; 2Ch 6:30; Ps 7:9; 44:21; Jer 11:20; 17:10
Jer 20:12; Joh 2:24,25; 21:17; Ac 1:24; Ro 8:27; Heb 4:13
and I will.
20:12; Ps 62:12; Isa 3:10,11; Mt 16:27; Ro 2:5-11; 14:12; 2Co 5:10
Ga 6:5; 1Pe 1:17

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

Context

  • Revelation 2:22

    Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

  • Revelation 2:23

    And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

  • Revelation 2:24

    But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

Read all of Revelation 2

Revelation 2:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y mataré á sus hijos con muerte; y todas las iglesias sabrán que yo soy el que escudriño los riñones y los corazones: y daré á cada uno de vosotros según sus obras.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		et je ferai mourir de mort ses enfants; et toutes les assemblées connaîtront que c’est moi qui sonde les reins et les cœurs; et je vous donnerai à chacun selon vos œuvres.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und ihre Kinder werde ich mit Tod töten, und alle Versammlungen werden erkennen, daß ich es bin, der Nieren und Herzen erforscht: und ich werde euch einem jeden nach euren Werken geben.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et filios ejus interficiam in morte, et scient omnes ecclesiæ, quia ego sum scrutans renes, et corda: et dabo unicuique vestrum secundum opera sua. Vobis autem dico,