Revelation 2:20 - But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
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What does "Revelation 2:20" mean?
Revelation 2:20 is part of a message to the church in Thyatira. Here's a breakdown of what the verse likely means, considering the context:
"But I have this against you...": This sets up a specific criticism Jesus (speaking through the author of Revelation) has against this church. Despite their good qualities mentioned earlier in the passage, this is a serious issue.
"...that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel...": This is the core of the problem. The church is being rebuked for allowing a woman, metaphorically referred to as "Jezebel," to operate within their community. It's important to understand that "Jezebel" is likely a symbolic name, not necessarily the woman's literal name. It references the Old Testament Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 16-2 Kings 9), who was notorious for promoting idolatry and wickedness in Israel. It's very unlikely it's a real Jezebel from the Old Testament, as that would be impossible.
"...who calls herself a prophetess.": This indicates that this woman is claiming to have divine authority, specifically the ability to prophesy. This would give her significant influence within the church.
"She teaches and seduces my servants...": This describes the actions of "Jezebel." She is actively teaching false doctrines and using her influence (possibly including sexual allure) to lead other members of the church astray.
"...to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.": This specifies the nature of the false teachings and actions.
"Sexual immorality": This likely refers to some form of sexual sin, perhaps associated with pagan rituals or a libertine interpretation of Christian freedom. It's possible it's also a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness to Christ.
"To eat things sacrificed to idols": This refers to participating in pagan feasts or rituals where food offered to idols was consumed. This was a major point of contention for early Christians, as it implied participation in idolatry.
In Summary:
The verse accuses the church in Thyatira of tolerating a woman (metaphorically called "Jezebel") who claims to be a prophetess but is actually leading people into sexual immorality and idolatry through her teachings. The church is being condemned for not addressing this dangerous influence within their community.
Possible Interpretations and Considerations:
Literal vs. Symbolic: While some interpret the verse literally, most scholars believe "Jezebel" is a symbol for a person or a group of people within the church promoting false teachings.
Nature of "Sexual Immorality": The specific nature of the sexual immorality is debated. It could refer to actual sexual sin or be a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness to Christ, aligning with idolatry.
Church Leadership's Role: The criticism is directed at the church as a whole, implying that the leadership failed to address the problem, allowing "Jezebel" to continue her destructive influence.
Warning Against False Teachers: The passage serves as a warning to all churches to be vigilant against false teachers and to confront those who lead people away from the true faith.
This verse carries a stern warning about the dangers of tolerating false teachings and the importance of maintaining purity and faithfulness within the church. It highlights the responsibility of church leaders and members to protect the community from harmful influences.
Revelation 2:20 - But I have this against you, that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and seduces my servants to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.
What does "Revelation 2:20" mean?
Revelation 2:20 is part of a message to the church in Thyatira. Here's a breakdown of what the verse likely means, considering the context:
"But I have this against you...": This sets up a specific criticism Jesus (speaking through the author of Revelation) has against this church. Despite their good qualities mentioned earlier in the passage, this is a serious issue.
"...that you tolerate your woman, Jezebel...": This is the core of the problem. The church is being rebuked for allowing a woman, metaphorically referred to as "Jezebel," to operate within their community. It's important to understand that "Jezebel" is likely a symbolic name, not necessarily the woman's literal name. It references the Old Testament Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 16-2 Kings 9), who was notorious for promoting idolatry and wickedness in Israel. It's very unlikely it's a real Jezebel from the Old Testament, as that would be impossible.
"...who calls herself a prophetess.": This indicates that this woman is claiming to have divine authority, specifically the ability to prophesy. This would give her significant influence within the church.
"She teaches and seduces my servants...": This describes the actions of "Jezebel." She is actively teaching false doctrines and using her influence (possibly including sexual allure) to lead other members of the church astray.
"...to commit sexual immorality, and to eat things sacrificed to idols.": This specifies the nature of the false teachings and actions.
"Sexual immorality": This likely refers to some form of sexual sin, perhaps associated with pagan rituals or a libertine interpretation of Christian freedom. It's possible it's also a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness to Christ.
"To eat things sacrificed to idols": This refers to participating in pagan feasts or rituals where food offered to idols was consumed. This was a major point of contention for early Christians, as it implied participation in idolatry.
In Summary:
The verse accuses the church in Thyatira of tolerating a woman (metaphorically called "Jezebel") who claims to be a prophetess but is actually leading people into sexual immorality and idolatry through her teachings. The church is being condemned for not addressing this dangerous influence within their community.
Possible Interpretations and Considerations:
Literal vs. Symbolic: While some interpret the verse literally, most scholars believe "Jezebel" is a symbol for a person or a group of people within the church promoting false teachings.
Nature of "Sexual Immorality": The specific nature of the sexual immorality is debated. It could refer to actual sexual sin or be a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness to Christ, aligning with idolatry.
Church Leadership's Role: The criticism is directed at the church as a whole, implying that the leadership failed to address the problem, allowing "Jezebel" to continue her destructive influence.
Warning Against False Teachers: The passage serves as a warning to all churches to be vigilant against false teachers and to confront those who lead people away from the true faith.
This verse carries a stern warning about the dangers of tolerating false teachings and the importance of maintaining purity and faithfulness within the church. It highlights the responsibility of church leaders and members to protect the community from harmful influences.