19:20a

the beast was captured: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Jesus, the rider on the horse, captured the beast. For example:

But ⌊the rider on the horse⌋ captured the beast

along with the false prophet: These words indicate that the false prophet was also captured. In some languages it is more natural to repeat the verb here. For example:

and with him the false prophet ⌊was also captured⌋

If you changed the passive clause to an active clause for “the beast was captured,” you should do the same here. For example:

and with him, ⌊the rider on the horse also⌋ captured the false prophet

false prophet: A true prophet is a person who speaks the message that God gives to him. But a false prophet is one who speaks a message that does not come from God. This phrase refers to the second beast, the one who came out of the earth. Other ways to translate this are:

deceitful/lying prophet
-or-
he who says he is a prophet but teaches lies
-or-
spokesman for Satan
-or-
false prophecy say-er

See how you translated this phrase in 16:13.

19:20b

who on its behalf had performed signs: This clause tells the reader more about the false prophet. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that John was thinking of many false prophets and only this one performed signs. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about the false prophet. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

He had performed miraculous signs on the beast’s behalf.

on its behalf: There are two ways to interpret the Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as on its behalf :

(1) It means in submission to him or for his benefit. The authority of the false prophet came from the first beast. He worked for the beast. For example:

on the beast’s behalf (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means in his presence. The false prophet ruled while standing in front of the first beast. For example:

before him (King James Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because the false prophet probably will do miracles in many places. He probably will not do miracles only in front of the first beast.

See how you translated this phrase in 13:12, where the Berean Standard Bible includes it in the phrase “of the first beast.”

its: Here this word refers to the beast (19:20a).

had performed: Here this word means “did.” For example:

worked (New Jerusalem Bible)

signs: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as signs refers to an unusual event that people regard as having some special meaning. The false prophet did amazing and unusual deeds that convinced people to follow the beast. Other ways to translate the Greek word are:

miracles (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
mysterious sights
-or-
portents
-or-
wonders

See how you translated this phrase in 13:13 or 16:14.

19:20c

deceiving: This word refers to purposely misleading someone. For example:

deluded (New International Version)

19:20d

those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image: The people spoken of here had both taken the mark and worshiped the image of the beast. These words refers to only one group.

mark: This word refers to any kind of sign or symbol that is easily seen. These verses do not say how the mark was placed on the hand or forehead. See how you translated mark in 13:16 or 16:2.

worshiped: This word refers to honoring someone or something as sacred/divine. Other ways to translate this word are:

venerated
-or-
revered

See how you translated this word in 13:4 or 19:10.

image: This word refers to a statue. See how you translated image in 13:14 or 16:2.

19:20e

Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive: This clause is passive. Some languages must use an active clause. Probably the rider, or someone he commanded, threw the beast and false prophet into the fiery lake. For example:

⌊The rider on the horse⌋ threw the two of them alive

Both the beast and the false prophet: This phrase refers to the beast and the false prophet here.

alive: This word indicates that the beast and the false prophet were still alive when the rider or someone he commanded threw those two into the fiery lake.

the fiery lake of burning sulfur: The Greek words are literally “the lake of fire, the one burning with sulfur.” This lake had burning sulfur in it instead of water. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

the lake of fire that burns with sulfur (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the lake of fire with its sulphurous flames (Revised English Bible)

sulfur: The word sulfur refers to a yellow powder or rock-like substance that burns with a very intense heat. In some languages people are not familiar with sulfur. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

• Explain what sulfur is in your translation. For example:

⌊yellow rock called⌋ sulfur

• Use the major language word. If it is not well known in your language, explain it in a footnote. An example footnote is:

Sulfur is a yellow powder or rock-like substance that burns with a very intense heat.

But if you included a footnote about sulfur at 14:10, you may not want to repeat it here.

See how you translated this word in 14:10.

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