Revelation 13:14

And he deceiveth (kai planai). Present active (dramatic) indicative of planaw, the very thing that Jesus had said would happen ( Matthew 24:24 , "So as to lead astray" wste planasqai, the word used here, if possible the very elect). It is a constant cause for wonder, the gullibility of the public at the hands of new charlatans who continually bob up with their pipe-dreams. That they should make an image to the beast (poihsai eikona twi qhriwi). Indirect command (this first aorist active infinitive of poiew) after legwn as in Acts 21:21 , not indirect assertion. This "image" (eikwn, for which word see Matthew 22:20 ; Colossians 1:15 ) of the emperor could be his head upon a coin ( Mark 12:16 ), an imago painted or woven upon a standard, a bust in metal or stone, a statue, anything that people could be asked to bow down before and worship. This test the priests in the provinces pressed as it was done in Rome itself. The phrase "the image of the beast," occurs ten times in this book ( Mark 13:14 Mark 13:15 ter; Mark 14:9 Mark 14:11 ; Mark 15:2 ; Mark 16:2 ; Mark 19:20 ; Mark 20:4 ). Emperor-worship is the issue and that involves worship of the devil. The stroke of the sword (thn plhghn th macairh). This language can refer to the death of Nero by his own sword. And lived (kai ezhsen). "And he came to life" (ingressive first aorist active indicative of zaw). Perhaps a reference to Domitian as a second Nero in his persecution of Christians.