The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous wordsThis phrase indicates that the beast, a symbolic representation of a powerful, oppressive entity, is granted the ability to speak with pride and irreverence towards God. The concept of blasphemy is significant in biblical texts, often associated with speaking against God or claiming divine status (
Mark 2:7,
John 10:33). The beast's arrogance mirrors the pride of historical figures like Nebuchadnezzar (
Daniel 4:30) and the little horn in
Daniel 7:8, which also speaks boastfully. This suggests a recurring theme of human or demonic powers challenging divine authority. The granting of a mouth implies that this ability is allowed by God, aligning with the biblical theme of divine sovereignty over all events, even those involving evil (
Job 1:12,
Romans 9:17).
and authority to act for 42 months
The period of 42 months, equivalent to three and a half years, is a significant timeframe in apocalyptic literature, often symbolizing a limited period of tribulation or persecution (Daniel 7:25, 12:7;Revelation 11:2, 12:6). This duration is half of seven, a number symbolizing completeness or perfection in the Bible, suggesting that the beast's reign is divinely limited and incomplete. Historically, this period may reflect the time of intense persecution faced by early Christians under Roman emperors, such as Nero or Domitian. Theologically, it points to a future time of trial before the ultimate victory of Christ, echoing the trials faced by the faithful throughout biblical history. The authority given to the beast is temporary, underscoring the ultimate sovereignty of God and the eventual triumph of His kingdom (Revelation 11:15, 19:11-21).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The BeastA symbolic representation of a powerful, oppressive entity or system that opposes God and His people. In the context of Revelation, the beast is often associated with political or religious powers that blaspheme against God.
2.
Arrogant and Blasphemous WordsThe beast is characterized by its prideful and irreverent speech against God, which is a hallmark of its rebellion and opposition to divine authority.
3.
Forty-Two MonthsThis time period, equivalent to three and a half years, is significant in apocalyptic literature, symbolizing a limited period during which evil is allowed to prevail. It reflects a time of testing and tribulation for believers.
4.
AuthorityThe beast's authority is permitted by God, indicating that even in times of trial, God remains sovereign and in control of the unfolding events.
5.
The AudienceThe early Christian communities to whom the Book of Revelation was addressed, who were facing persecution and needed encouragement to remain faithful.
Teaching Points
Understanding God's SovereigntyDespite the beast's authority, it is crucial to remember that God permits this for a limited time. Believers can find comfort in God's ultimate control over history.
Recognizing the Nature of EvilThe beast's blasphemous words serve as a reminder of the nature of evil, which is characterized by pride and rebellion against God. Christians are called to discern and resist such influences.
Endurance in TribulationThe forty-two months symbolize a period of testing. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that trials are temporary and serve a purpose in God's plan.
The Power of WordsThe beast's use of arrogant speech highlights the power of words to influence and deceive. Christians should be mindful of their speech and the messages they endorse.
Hope in Christ's VictoryWhile the beast's reign is temporary, Christ's victory is eternal. This assurance should inspire hope and perseverance among believers.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Revelation 13:5?
2.How does Revelation 13:5 illustrate the power given to the beast?
3.What is the significance of the "forty-two months" mentioned in this verse?
4.How does Revelation 13:5 connect to Daniel's prophecies about end times?
5.How can Christians prepare for the challenges described in Revelation 13:5?
6.What lessons can we learn about God's sovereignty from Revelation 13:5?
7.What is the significance of the "forty-two months" mentioned in Revelation 13:5?
8.How does Revelation 13:5 relate to the concept of the Antichrist?
9.Why is the beast given authority to speak blasphemies in Revelation 13:5?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 13?
11.What does 42 months symbolize in the Bible?
12.What does 42 months symbolize in the Bible?
13.What does the 1,260-day prophecy in Revelation mean?
14.Is Maitreya considered the Antichrist?What Does Revelation 13:5 Mean
The beast was given• The verse opens by stressing that the beast’s power is not self-generated. Whatever influence he wields is “given,” highlighting God’s ultimate sovereignty even in dark times (John 19:11;Revelation 17:17).
•Revelation 13:2 already noted, “The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority”, yetDaniel 4:17 reminds us that “the Most High rules the kingdom of men.”
• This framing assures believers that evil operates on a divine leash; nothing slips outside God’s predetermined plan (Daniel 7:7-8;Revelation 12:3).
…a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words• The beast’s hallmark is proud, God-defying speech—echoing the “little horn” inDaniel 7:8 that “boasted great things”.
• His words include:
– Arrogance: elevating himself above every earthly authority (Revelation 13:4).
– Blasphemy: slandering God’s name, dwelling, and saints (Revelation 13:6).
• Paul foresaw the same attitude in the “man of lawlessness” who “exalts himself over everything that is called God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4).
• Such speech exposes his true nature: opposition to Christ and a counterfeit messiah who demands worship (Revelation 17:3, 5).
…and authority to act• Words translate into deeds; the beast is empowered to enforce his rebellion (Revelation 13:7).
• His activities include:
– Waging war against the saints and conquering them (Daniel 7:21, 25).
– Orchestrating a global worship system backed by miraculous signs (Revelation 13:13-15).
• Yet the phrase “authority to act” still signals limitation. God allows, but also restrains and predetermines the beast’s boundaries (Job 1:12;Revelation 20:2-3).
…for 42 months• The duration—three and a half years—matches multiple prophetic time frames:
– “Time, times, and half a time” inDaniel 7:25 and 12:7.
– 1,260 days inRevelation 11:3 and 12:6.
– The trampling of the holy city for forty-two months inRevelation 11:2.
• This period corresponds to the latter half of the future tribulation, when the beast’s oppression peaks (Matthew 24:15-22).
• Knowing the exact limit encourages perseverance: evil is fierce but fleeting, and Christ will return right on schedule (Revelation 19:11-16).
summaryRevelation 13:5 reveals a real future ruler who receives God-permitted power, spews proud blasphemy, enforces global rebellion, and does so for a strictly limited 42-month span. The verse assures us that while evil’s roar is loud, its leash is short, and the Lamb will soon silence it.
(5)
And there wasgiven . . .--In these verses the words and the works of the wild beast are described. The 5th verse tells us that the liberty to speak and work
was given to him. There is consolation in the words: he has no power beyond what is given; behind his reckless and apparently irresistible power there stands the veiled but real power of God. "Thou couldest have no power" (the saints may take up their Lord's words) "against me, except it were given thee from above." He speaks great things, and blasphemy.
And there was given him authority to act (literally,
to do)
forty-two months. Again the familiar period, the limited time of the world-power.
Verse 5. - And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies. So the horn which sprang from the fourth beast of
Daniel 7:8 had given to it "a mouth speaking great things." The power of the beast is, after all, only held by the consent of God, who for his own good purpose permits him to exercise it for a time. The "great things" are the promises of superior power and good, with which the devil seeks to allure men, as he did Adam and Eve at the first. All attempts to decry God's omnipotence and the power of Christ are
blasphemies.And power was given unto him to continue fortyandtwo months; or,
to work forty and two months. Again note the power is given to him; that is, he holds it only subject to the will of God. The "forty and two months," or three years and a half, signify the period of the world's existence. (For a full discussion of the subject, see on Revelation 11:2.) It is the "little time" of
Revelation 6:10, 11, during which will be fulfilled the number of the saints. It is the "little season" of
Revelation 20:3, during which Satan is "loosed," that is, during which he has this power to work given to him (cf.
Revelation 11:2, 3;
Revelation 12:14). The different readings in this passage, though resting on insufficient authority, serve to amplify the meaning.
א reads
πουιῆσαι ὅ θέλει, "to do what he willeth."
Ποιῆσαι with
πόλεμον, "to wage war," is found in 13 and others, and is the marginal reading of the Authorized Version, but is rightly omitted in the Revised Version.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
[The beast]αὐτῷ(autō)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.was givenἐδόθη(edothē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1325:To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.a mouthστόμα(stoma)Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4750:The mouth, speech, eloquence in speech, the point of a sword.to speakλαλοῦν(laloun)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2980:A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.arrogantμεγάλα(megala)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3173:Large, great, in the widest sense.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.blasphemous [words],βλασφημίας(blasphēmias)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 988:Abusive or scurrilous language, blasphemy. From blasphemos; vilification.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.authorityἐξουσία(exousia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1849:From exesti; privilege, i.e. force, capacity, competency, freedom, or mastery, delegated influence.to actποιῆσαι(poiēsai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 4160:(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.for 42τεσσεράκοντα(tesserakonta)Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5062:Forty. The decade of tessares; forty.months.μῆνας(mēnas)Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3376:A (lunar) month. A primary word; a month.
Links
Revelation 13:5 NIVRevelation 13:5 NLTRevelation 13:5 ESVRevelation 13:5 NASBRevelation 13:5 KJV
Revelation 13:5 BibleApps.comRevelation 13:5 Biblia ParalelaRevelation 13:5 Chinese BibleRevelation 13:5 French BibleRevelation 13:5 Catholic Bible
NT Prophecy: Revelation 13:5 A mouth speaking great things and blasphemy (Rev. Re Apocalypse) 
