What does Revelation 2:20 mean?

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. Revelation 2:20

Explanation

Revelation 2:20 is part of a letter to the church in Thyatira, dictated by Jesus and recorded by John the Apostle. Here, Jesus reproaches the church for tolerating a false prophetess named Jezebel, who is leading members astray. The literal meaning is clear: the church is allowing a woman who claims to be a prophetess to spread teachings that are contradictory to Christian doctrine, particularly encouraging sexual immorality (fornication) and participation in pagan rituals (eating food sacrificed to idols). The deeper meaning may refer to tolerating any teachings or practices within the church that lead people away from true Christian faith and lifestyle.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written during a time when the early Christian churches were facing persecution and the challenge of staying true to their faith in a largely pagan world. Thyatira was a city known for its trade guilds, which often held banquets involving sexual immorality and food offered to idols. A real or symbolic woman named Jezebel (alluding to the infamous queen in the Old Testament) is cited as personifying false prophecy and idolatry, which might have been a temptation for Christians seeking to maintain livelihoods without alienating their non-Christian peers.

Theological Insights

The theologians interpret Revelation 2:20 in various ways. Some see Jezebel as representing a specific historical individual leading a heretical sect, while others see her as a symbol for broader false teachings infiltrating the church. The term “Jezebel” is used to draw a parallel with the Old Testament figure who led Israel into idolatry and immorality. This connection emphasizes the seriousness of allowing false teachings and practices to go unchallenged in the church community. The verse thus reflects the struggle within the early church to preserve doctrinal purity and ethical conduct.

Practical Applications

This verse can be understood today as a call for vigilance within religious and spiritual communities against leaders or influential figures who might lead members astray. It underscores the importance of discernment in spiritual teachings and the need for church leadership to correct and prevent false doctrines. It also warns of the dangers of compromising Christian beliefs and ethics for the sake of social conformity or economic benefit.

Cross-References

• 1 Kings 16:31 (KJV): “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.”
• 1 Kings 21:25 (KJV): “But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the LORD, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.”
• 1 Corinthians 10:20-21 (KJV): “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.”

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek text of Revelation 2:20 include:

• “Jezebel” (Ιεζάβελ): Directly referring to the notorious Old Testament figure, suggesting a connotation of wickedness and false prophecy.
• “prophetess” (προφῆτιν): A female prophet or one who claims divine inspiration to deliver messages or reveal future events.
• “fornication” (πορνεύσαι): This word, from which we get the term “pornography,” in the original Greek (πορνεία) refers to sexual immorality or illicit sexual relations.
• “sacrificed” (εἰδωλόθυτα): Foods offered to idols, which would have been part of pagan religious practices.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The figure of Jezebel contrasts with other religions and myths that may include prophetesses or female spiritual leaders. Unlike positive depictions of women in religious contexts, such as the Oracle of Delphi in Greek mythology, Jezebel in biblical terms represents the archetype of deceptive and unrighteous influence. The theme of a community being led astray by immoral practices can also be found in other religions and serves as a caution against moral decline and spiritual corruption.

Scientific Perspectives

The issues addressed in Revelation 2:20 do not directly relate to empirical scientific understanding but can intersect with the study of human behavior, sociology, and the psychological impacts of leadership and group dynamics. The verse implies a concern for the influence leaders have on their communities, which is a valid concept in social science research, even though the supernatural claims of prophecy and idolatry lie outside the realm of scientific analysis.

commentaries

Multiple biblical commentators offer diverse views on Revelation 2:20:

• Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary emphasizes the spiritual harlotry linked to Jezebel, symbolizing a departure from Christ and embracing of idolatry and fornication.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges suggests that the woman Jezebel may not have been a real person but a term symbolizing a tendency among some members of the church at Thyatira.
• Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible considers the possibility that “Jezebel” alludes to teachings or a party within the church like those under Balaam’s influence, which also misled the church in Pergamos.
• Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary discusses how the depth of the issue with Jezebel in Thyatira was not merely about tolerating sin but giving it a place of instruction within the church, highlighting a significant lapse in church discipline.