Translation commentary on Revelation 2:20

After the praise comes censure.

I have this against you : see 2.4.

You tolerate the woman Jezebel: the Greek verb translated tolerate is different from the verb used in 2.2 “(cannot) bear.” The meaning can be expressed positively, “you allow,” “you permit,” or negatively, “you do not forbid,” “you do not put a stop to,” “you do not prevent.” Jezebel in the Old Testament was the Sidonian princess who was the wife of King Ahab of Israel, and who tried to impose Baal worship on the Israelites (1 Kgs 16.29-31; 18.4, 19; 2 Kgs 9.22). Although it is possible that Jezebel was a woman in the church at Thyatira, it seems more probable that the name is used symbolically of this woman leader who was trying to replace the true worship of God by pagan rites and beliefs. Some translations in English indicate that this is a symbolic name by translating “that Jezebel of a woman” (Moffatt, An American Translation, Barclay), a rather unusual idiom in English, but in context quite understandable to native readers. It is recommended, however, that the translation be quite literal, the woman Jezebel.

Calls herself a prophetess: as in the case of the false apostles (2.2), who were not what they claimed to be, this woman claimed that her teaching was an authentic message from God—but it was not. So the translation can say “who falsely says she is a prophet,” “who lies when she says that her message comes from God.” The feminine form of the Greek word “prophet” is used here and in Luke 2.36 (Anna). In English it is becoming the practice to use the same word, where possible, for both men and women; so New Revised Standard Version “who calls herself a prophet.” There were Christian leaders in the early Church who were called “prophets.” In translation the same word should be used of them as is used of Old Testament prophets.

Is teaching and beguiling my servants: to “beguile” is to mislead, deceive, lead astray, seduce. In certain languages it will be expressed as “cause to stray from the path” or “lead away from the true path.” The participle of the verb is used as a title, “the deceiver,” which is applied to Satan and his subordinates (12.9; 13.14; 19.20; 20.3, 8, 10). Here my servants means all believers, or it may be expressed as “all those who believe in me” or “all my followers” (see 1.1). The two verbs teaching and beguiling may be joined, “by means of her teaching she deceives (or, misleads) my servants.”

To practice immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols: the same evil conduct was being promoted by the Nicolaitans (see 2.14-15).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Revelation 2:20

Paragraph 2:20–25

2:20a

But I have this against you: The Greek words here are the same as 2:4a (“But I have this against you”). Translate it as you did in 2:4.

2:20b

You tolerate that woman Jezebel: Here the word tolerate means “allow someone to continue doing (something).” The believers at Thyatira allowed Jezebel to remain in the church even though she taught false ideas.

In some languages it is necessary or more natural to add the implied information about Jezebel. For example:

You let that woman Jezebel spread false teachings (New Century Version)

In some languages it is more natural to translate this with a negative statement. For example:

You do not put an end/stop to ⌊the activities of⌋ that woman Jezebel
-or-
You do not prevent that woman Jezebel ⌊from teaching in the church⌋

that woman Jezebel: The name Jezebel is probably symbolic of a false teacher in the church at Thyatira. That person was like the evil Queen Jezebel in the Old Testament (1 Kings 16:29–31; 18:4,19; 19:1–2; 21:1–25), because she led the people away from God.

In some languages people are not familiar with the story or reputation of Queen Jezebel. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain who she was in your translation. For example:

that ⌊evil/idolatrous⌋ woman Jezebel

You may also want to explain who she was in a footnote. An example footnote is:

The false teacher in Thyatira was given the symbolic name of Jezebel. Jezebel lived about 700 years before Jesus. She was evil, she worshiped idols, and she violently opposed God’s prophets. Stories about her are found in 1 Kings 16–21.

2:20c

who calls herself a prophetess: This clause indicates that the woman in 2:20b claimed that she was a prophet. But she was not speaking the truth. She was not a true prophet, because she did not speak God’s message. She did speak messages, but they were not from God. Other ways to translate this clause are:

who claims to be a prophetess (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
who says she is a prophetess
-or-
who makes the false claim that she speaks messages from God

This clause tells the reader more about the false teacher called Jezebel. In some languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that there were others named Jezebel at Thyatira, but only this one called herself a prophetess. If that is true in your language, translate this clause so that it tells more about Jezebel. One way to do that is to start a new sentence here. For example:

She calls herself a prophetess.

prophetess: The word prophetess means “female prophet.” A prophet is a person whom God uses to communicate with the people. Other ways to translate the word prophetess are:

spokeswoman for God
-or-
God’s message-speaker

See how you translated the word prophetess in Luke 2:36, “prophet” in Matthew 1:22, Mark 1:2, or “prophecy” in Revelation 1:3.

2:20d

By her teaching she misleads: The Greek words are literally “she teaches and misleads.” The two verbs “teach” and “mislead” are connected because she taught things that misled people. Other ways to translate this clause are:

She teaches and misleads (God’s Word)
-or-
by her teaching deceives (Phillips’ New Testament in Modern English)

My servants: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as servants refers to the believers at Thyatira. It is used to indicate that the believers served and obeyed Jesus. See how you translated the word servants in 1:1.

to be sexually immoral: This phrase refers to any kind of sexual activities outside of marriage. See how you translated the phrase “sexual immorality” in 2:14.

2:20e

and to eat food sacrificed to idols: The false prophetess in Thyatira had been encouraging the believers to eat food that had been offered as a sacrifice in honor of idols. You should translate this phrase in the same way as “eat food sacrificed to idols” in 2:14.

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