8And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things says the First and the Last, who became dead and came to life: [2:9] "I know your affliction and your destitution — but you are rich — and the slander from those claiming to be Jews themselves and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. [2:10] Fear nothing of what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and you will have affliction for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. [2:11] The one having an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one overcoming will certainly not be harmed by the second death."
REV 2:8-11
To the Church in Smyrna
In the world it was spoken into
The church in Smyrna, a prominent Roman city in Asia Minor, faced intense social and economic pressures. Smyrna was a center of imperial cult worship, and refusal to participate in civic rituals honoring the emperor could lead to ostracism, economic hardship, and even imprisonment. The reference to 'poverty' underscores the destitution experienced by believers, likely due to their exclusion from trade guilds and social networks tied to pagan practices. The 'slander' likely came from local Jewish communities, who may have accused Christians of blasphemy or disloyalty to Roman authorities to distance themselves from persecution. The phrase 'synagogue of Satan' reflects intra-Jewish polemic, where competing groups labeled each other as illegitimate. The mention of imprisonment aligns with Roman practices of using incarceration as a tool of social control. The 'ten days' of tribulation may symbolize a limited period of testing, echoing Daniel’s narrative of faithfulness under trial. The call to faithfulness unto death resonates with the honor-shame culture, where martyrdom was seen as the ultimate testimony of loyalty to Christ.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
REV 2:8
- KJV
- And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
- BSB
- To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life.
- Koinōnos
- And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things says the First and the Last, who became dead and came to life:
REV 2:9
- KJV
- I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
- BSB
- I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan.
- Koinōnos
- I know your affliction and your destitution — but you are rich — and the slander from those claiming to be Jews themselves and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
REV 2:10
- KJV
- Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
- BSB
- Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
- Koinōnos
- Fear nothing of what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and you will have affliction for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
REV 2:11
- KJV
- He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
- BSB
- He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.
- Koinōnos
- The one having an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one overcoming will certainly not be harmed by the second death.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
REV 2:9
- works:The word translated 'works' here refers to intense pressure or affliction, like being crushed or squeezed. It describes a severe external hardship, not just general activity.
- tribulation:The word translated 'tribulation' describes extreme poverty, specifically the state of being a beggar utterly dependent on others. It implies destitution and mendicancy.
- now:The word translated 'now' refers to slander or defamation, speech that is profane or evil-omened. It's not merely speaking, but speaking maliciously or irreverently.
REV 2:10
- into:The word translated 'into' refers to a place of guarding or confinement, specifically a prison or a watch-post. It denotes being held captive or under strict surveillance.