1
Καὶ εἶδον ἄγγελον καταβαίνοντα ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, ἔχοντα τὴν κλεῖν τῆς ἀβύσσου καὶ ἅλυσιν μεγάλην ἐπὶ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ.
And I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
The καὶ εἶδον formula opens a new vision-panel (cf. 19:11, 17, 19). An unnamed angel comes down with the key of the abyss (cf. 9:1) and a great chain — the instruments of imprisonment — preparing the binding of the dragon.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrative καί)καί: the Hebraic-style narrative connector driving the vision forward.
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (vision formula)→ aoristic — the seer's act of beholdingὁράω: 'see, behold'; the καὶ εἶδον formula introduces each fresh vision in Revelation.
ἄγγελονan angelAccusativedirect object of εἶδονἄγγελος: 'angel, messenger'; an unnamed angel, the agent of the dragon's binding.
καταβαίνονταdescendingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · καταβαίνωattributive participle (with ἄγγελον)→ imperfective — the angel as in the act of coming downκαταβαίνω: 'come down, descend'; the angel descends from the heavenly realm to earth.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: 'out of, from'; marking the heavenly origin.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἐκοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the realm from which the binding-authority descends.
ἔχονταholdingPres Act Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · ἔχωattributive participle (with ἄγγελον)→ imperfective — the angel as having in handἔχω: 'have, hold'; the angel carries the instruments of imprisonment.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κλεῖνkeyAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντακλείς: 'key'; the key of the abyss (cf. 9:1), the authority to open and shut the deep.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
ἀβύσσουabyssGenitivegenitive (the key 'of' the abyss)ἄβυσσος: 'abyss, bottomless pit'; the prison of demonic powers (cf. 9:1–2, 11; 11:7), here the dragon's holding-place.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἅλυσινa chainAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ἅλυσις: 'chain'; the great chain for binding the dragon.
μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjectiveμέγας: 'great, large'; the chain matched to its mighty captive.
ἐπὶinpreposition + accusative (place)ἐπί: 'upon, on'; with the accusative, 'on/in his hand.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
χεῖραhandAccusativeobject of ἐπίχείρ: 'hand'; the angel's hand bearing the chain.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
2
καὶ ἐκράτησεν τὸν δράκοντα, ὁ ὄφις ὁ ἀρχαῖος, ὅς ἐστιν Διάβολος καὶ ὁ Σατανᾶς, καὶ ἔδησεν αὐτὸν χίλια ἔτη,
And he seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
The fourfold naming of the adversary (dragon, ancient serpent, Devil, Satan; cf. 12:9) hangs partly in the nominative against the accusative object — the seer's characteristic loose apposition. The binding for χίλια ἔτη ('a thousand years') opens the millennium-frame that recurs six times in the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector.
ἐκράτησενhe seizedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κρατέωmain verb→ aoristic — the decisive act of laying holdκρατέω: 'seize, take hold of, master'; the angel overpowers the dragon.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
δράκονταdragonAccusativedirect objectδράκων: 'dragon, serpent'; the great red dragon of ch. 12, the cosmic adversary.
ὁtheNominativearticle (hanging nominative apposition)
ὄφιςserpentNominativeappositional (nominative ad sensum)ὄφις: 'serpent'; the 'ancient serpent' recalls Eden (Gen 3) — the deceiver from the beginning.
ὁtheNominativearticle (attributive)
ἀρχαῖοςancientNominativeattributive adjectiveἀρχαῖος: 'ancient, original'; the serpent of old, deceiver from the first.
ὅςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)ὅς: relative pronoun introducing the identification.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative — the equation of namesεἰμί: 'be'; equating the dragon/serpent with the Devil and Satan.
ΔιάβολοςDevilNominativepredicate nominativeδιάβολος: 'slanderer, accuser, Devil'; the Greek title of the adversary (cf. 12:9–10).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΣατανᾶςSatanNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)Σατανᾶς: 'Satan' (Hebrew śāṭān, 'adversary'); the Semitic title paired with the Greek Διάβολος.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔδησενboundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δέωmain verb (coordinate)→ aoristic — the single act of bindingδέω: 'bind, tie'; the dragon shackled, his power restrained (cf. Isa 24:21–22).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
χίλιαthousandAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (with ἔτη)χίλιοι: 'thousand'; the χίλια ἔτη, the millennium, the bounded span of the dragon's binding.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeἔτος: 'year'; the thousand years frame the whole chapter (vv.2–7).
3
καὶ ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον, καὶ ἔκλεισεν καὶ ἐσφράγισεν ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ πλανήσῃ ἔτι τὰ ἔθνη, ἄχρι τελεσθῇ τὰ χίλια ἔτη· μετὰ ταῦτα δεῖ λυθῆναι αὐτὸν μικρὸν χρόνον.
And he cast him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were finished; after these things he must be released for a little while.
The dragon is cast into, shut, and sealed in the abyss — a threefold security. The purpose (ἵνα μὴ πλανήσῃ) is the cessation of his deceiving of the nations 'until' (ἄχρι) the term is up; the divine δεῖ ('it is necessary') then ordains his short release, setting up vv.7–10.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector.
ἔβαλενhe castAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb→ aoristic — the act of casting downβάλλω: 'throw, cast'; the dragon hurled into the abyss.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)εἰς: 'into'; the goal of the casting.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἄβυσσονabyssAccusativeobject of εἰςἄβυσσος: 'abyss'; the bottomless prison, now the dragon's cell.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔκλεισενshutAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλείωmain verb (coordinate)→ aoristic — the closing of the pitκλείω: 'shut, close'; the abyss locked over its prisoner.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐσφράγισενsealedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σφραγίζωmain verb (coordinate)→ aoristic — the sealing as accomplishedσφραγίζω: 'seal, set a seal on'; securing the prison against escape (cf. Dan 6:17; Matt 27:66).
ἐπάνωoverimproper preposition + genitiveἐπάνω: 'above, over'; the seal set over him.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἐπάνω
ἵναso thatconjunction introducing purposeἵνα: 'in order that'; with the subjunctive, the purpose of the sealing.
μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive)μή: negating the purpose clause.
πλανήσῃhe might deceiveAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πλανάωsubjunctive (negated purpose)→ aoristic — the prevented act of deceivingπλανάω: 'lead astray, deceive'; the dragon's signature work (cf. 12:9), now halted.
ἔτιany longeradverb (temporal)ἔτι: 'still, yet, any longer'; the deceiving ceases for the term.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηnationsAccusativedirect object of πλανήσῃἔθνος: 'nation, Gentile'; the peoples whom Satan would deceive.
ἄχριuntilconjunction (temporal limit)ἄχρι: 'until'; marking the term of the binding.
τελεσθῇwere finishedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · τελέωsubjunctive (temporal clause)→ aoristic — the completion of the termτελέω: 'finish, complete'; the thousand years run their course.
τὰtheNominativearticle
χίλιαthousandNominativesubject of τελεσθῇ (with ἔτη)χίλιοι: 'thousand'; the millennium-term once more.
ἔτηyearsNominativesubject of τελεσθῇἔτος: 'year'; the thousand years here as nominative subject.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)μετά: 'after'; with the accusative, sequence in time.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeobject of μετάοὗτος: 'these things'; the term once concluded.
δεῖit is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (divine necessity)→ stative — the fixed decreeδεῖ: 'it is necessary'; the eschatological 'must' of God's foreordained plan (cf. 1:1; 4:1).
λυθῆναιto be releasedAor Pass Infin · λύωinfinitive (subject of δεῖ)→ aoristic — the release as a single appointed eventλύω: 'loose, release'; Satan's short freeing, setting up the final assault.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive
μικρὸνa littleAccusativeattributive adjective (with χρόνον)μικρός: 'small, little'; the brevity of the release contrasted with the thousand years.
χρόνονwhileAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeχρόνος: 'time, while'; 'a little while' for the loosed adversary.
4
Καὶ εἶδον θρόνους, καὶ ἐκάθισαν ἐπ’ αὐτούς, καὶ κρίμα ἐδόθη αὐτοῖς, καὶ τὰς ψυχὰς τῶν πεπελεκισμένων διὰ τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ καὶ διὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ θεοῦ, καὶ οἵτινες οὐ προσεκύνησαν τὸ θηρίον οὐδὲ τὴν εἰκόνα αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἔλαβον τὸ χάραγμα ἐπὶ τὸ μέτωπον καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτῶν· καὶ ἔζησαν καὶ ἐβασίλευσαν μετὰ τοῦ Χριστοῦ χίλια ἔτη.
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them; and I saw the souls of those beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who did not worship the beast or its image and did not receive the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
A fresh καὶ εἶδον. The thrones and the judgment-given recall Dan 7:9, 22. The unexpressed subject of ἐκάθισαν is left open, then defined by the martyr-company: the beheaded witnesses and the non-worshippers of the beast. Their ἔζησαν ('came to life') is the 'first resurrection' of v.5, and their reign is the χίλια ἔτη with Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 58 words
Καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector opening the vision.
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (vision formula)→ aoristic — the seer's beholdingὁράω: 'see'; the καὶ εἶδον vision-marker.
θρόνουςthronesAccusativedirect object of εἶδονθρόνος: 'throne'; seats of judgment and rule (cf. Dan 7:9; Matt 19:28).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκάθισανthey satAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καθίζωmain verb (subject unexpressed)→ aoristic — the act of being seatedκαθίζω: 'sit, be seated'; the occupants of the thrones, left undefined ('they').
ἐπ’uponpreposition + accusative (place)ἐπί: 'upon'; the thrones occupied.
αὐτούςthemAccusativeobject of ἐπί
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κρίμαjudgmentNominativesubject of ἐδόθηκρίμα: 'judgment, the right to judge'; the judicial authority granted (cf. Dan 7:22; 1 Cor 6:2).
ἐδόθηwas givenAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb (divine passive)→ aoristic — the grant of authorityδίδωμι: divine passive; God confers the judgment-right.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object (dat. of recipient)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
ψυχὰςsoulsAccusativedirect object (of εἶδον, resumed)ψυχή: 'soul, life'; the souls of the martyrs (cf. 6:9), the slain witnesses.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantizing the participle)
πεπελεκισμένωνbeheadedPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · πελεκίζωsubstantival participle (genitive)→ resultative perfect — slain and remaining soπελεκίζω: 'behead with an axe'; the martyrs executed for their witness (the perfect marks their abiding martyr-state).
διὰforpreposition + accusative (cause)διά: 'on account of'; with the accusative, the ground of their death.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
μαρτυρίανtestimonyAccusativeobject of διάμαρτυρία: 'testimony, witness'; the testimony of/about Jesus for which they died (cf. 1:9; 12:17).
Ἰησοῦof JesusGenitivegenitive (objective/possessive)Ἰησοῦς: 'Jesus'; the testimony borne to him.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
διὰforpreposition + accusative (cause)διά: 'on account of'; the second ground.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
λόγονwordAccusativeobject of διάλόγος: 'word'; the word of God they held (cf. 1:2, 9; 6:9).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of source/possessionθεός: 'God'; the word's author.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (qualitative)ὅστις: 'whoever, such as'; the qualitative relative, defining the faithful as a class — non-worshippers of the beast.
οὐnotnegative (with indicative)οὐ: negating προσεκύνησαν.
προσεκύνησανworshippedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσκυνέωverb of relative clause→ aoristic — their settled refusalπροσκυνέω: 'worship, do homage'; the refusal of beast-worship (cf. 13:4, 8, 12).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
θηρίονbeastAccusativedirect objectθηρίον: 'beast'; the persecuting power of ch. 13.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunctionοὐδέ: 'nor, not even'; extending the negation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
εἰκόναimageAccusativedirect object (coordinate)εἰκών: 'image'; the beast's cult-image (cf. 13:14–15).
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὐκnotnegative (with indicative)οὐ: negating ἔλαβον.
ἔλαβονreceivedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωverb (coordinate)→ aoristic — their refusal of the markλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; the refusal of the beast's brand (cf. 13:16–17).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
χάραγμαmarkAccusativedirect objectχάραγμα: 'mark, stamp'; the beast's mark (cf. 13:16–17; 14:9).
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (place)ἐπί: 'on'; the place of the mark.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
μέτωπονforeheadAccusativeobject of ἐπίμέτωπον: 'forehead'; one site of the mark.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (place)ἐπί: 'on'; the alternate site.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
χεῖραhandAccusativeobject of ἐπίχείρ: 'hand'; the other site of the mark.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἔζησανthey came to lifeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ζάωmain verb→ ingressive aorist — they came aliveζάω: 'live'; the ingressive 'came to life' = the first resurrection (v.5).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐβασίλευσανreignedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · βασιλεύωmain verb (coordinate)→ aoristic — their reign as a wholeβασιλεύω: 'reign, rule as king'; the saints share Christ's rule (cf. 5:10; 22:5).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)μετά: 'with'; with the genitive, accompaniment.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitiveobject of μετάΧριστός: 'Christ, Anointed'; the saints reign with him.
χίλιαthousandAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (with ἔτη)χίλιοι: 'thousand'; the millennium of the saints' reign.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeἔτος: 'year'; the thousand years of co-reigning.
5
οἱ λοιποὶ τῶν νεκρῶν οὐκ ἔζησαν ἄχρι τελεσθῇ τὰ χίλια ἔτη. αὕτη ἡ ἀνάστασις ἡ πρώτη.
The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
A parenthetical aside (asyndeton): the rest of the dead remain so until the term ends. The demonstrative αὕτη ('this') then names the martyrs' coming-to-life of v.4 as 'the first resurrection' — the phrase that anchors the chapter's millennial debate.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
οἱtheNominativearticle
λοιποὶrestNominativesubject (substantival adjective)λοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; the rest of the dead, over against the martyr-company.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
νεκρῶνdeadGenitivepartitive genitiveνεκρός: 'dead'; the rest of the dead awaiting the general resurrection.
οὐκnotnegative (with indicative)οὐ: negating ἔζησαν.
ἔζησανcame to lifeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ζάωmain verb→ ingressive aorist — did not come aliveζάω: 'live'; the same ingressive as v.4, here denied to the rest until the term ends.
ἄχριuntilconjunction (temporal limit)ἄχρι: 'until'; the boundary of the thousand years.
τελεσθῇwere finishedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · τελέωsubjunctive (temporal clause)→ aoristic — completion of the termτελέω: 'complete, finish'; the term run to its end.
τὰtheNominativearticle
χίλιαthousandNominativesubject of τελεσθῇ (with ἔτη)χίλιοι: 'thousand'; the millennium once more.
ἔτηyearsNominativesubject of τελεσθῇἔτος: 'year'; the thousand years.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (subject)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing back to the martyrs' ἔζησαν as the resurrection in view.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἀνάστασιςresurrectionNominativepredicate nominativeἀνάστασις: 'resurrection, rising'; here 'the first resurrection,' the storm-center of millennial interpretation.
ἡtheNominativearticle (attributive)
πρώτηfirstNominativeattributive adjectiveπρῶτος: 'first'; 'the first resurrection,' set against the second death (v.6, 14).
6
μακάριος καὶ ἅγιος ὁ ἔχων μέρος ἐν τῇ ἀναστάσει τῇ πρώτῃ· ἐπὶ τούτων ὁ δεύτερος θάνατος οὐκ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν, ἀλλ’ ἔσονται ἱερεῖς τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ τοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ βασιλεύσουσιν μετ’ αὐτοῦ χίλια ἔτη.
Blessed and holy is the one who has a share in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him a thousand years.
The fifth of the book's seven beatitudes (cf. 1:3; 14:13; 22:7). The sharer in the first resurrection is twice declared 'blessed and holy': the second death cannot touch him, and he becomes a priest of God and Christ who reigns the thousand years — priesthood and kingship joined (cf. 1:6; 5:10).
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
μακάριοςblessedNominativepredicate adjective (beatitude)μακάριος: 'blessed, happy'; the beatitude-form (cf. 1:3; 14:13; 22:7).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἅγιοςholyNominativepredicate adjectiveἅγιος: 'holy, set apart'; the sharer is both blessed and consecrated.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizing participle)
ἔχωνwho hasPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective — the one holding a shareἔχω: 'have, hold'; the participant in the first resurrection.
μέροςa shareAccusativedirect objectμέρος: 'part, share, portion'; participation in the first resurrection.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)ἐν: 'in'; the sphere of participation.
τῇtheDativearticle
ἀναστάσειresurrectionDativeobject of ἐνἀνάστασις: 'resurrection'; the first resurrection shared in.
τῇtheDativearticle (attributive)
πρώτῃfirstDativeattributive adjectiveπρῶτος: 'first'; the first resurrection.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (authority over)ἐπί: 'over'; with the genitive, power exercised over.
τούτωνtheseGenitiveobject of ἐπίοὗτος: 'these'; the partakers of the first resurrection.
ὁtheNominativearticle
δεύτεροςsecondNominativeattributive adjectiveδεύτερος: 'second'; 'the second death' (defined at v.14 as the lake of fire).
θάνατοςdeathNominativesubject of ἔχειθάνατος: 'death'; the second death, powerless over the first-raised.
οὐκnotnegative (with indicative)οὐ: negating ἔχει.
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb→ gnomic present — the abiding factἔχω: 'have, hold'; the second death holds no authority over them.
ἐξουσίανpowerAccusativedirect objectἐξουσία: 'authority, power'; the second death's writ does not run over the redeemed.
ἀλλ’butadversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but'; the strong contrast — instead, priesthood and reign.
ἔσονταιthey will beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (future copula)→ future — their destined officeεἰμί: 'be'; their future status as priests.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativepredicate nominativeἱερεύς: 'priest'; the redeemed as priests of God and Christ (cf. 1:6; 5:10; Exod 19:6).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive (whose priests)θεός: 'God'; priests in God's service.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive (coordinate)Χριστός: 'Christ'; priests of Christ as well as God.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βασιλεύσουσινthey will reignFut Act Indic 3 Pl · βασιλεύωmain verb (coordinate)→ future — the reign foretoldβασιλεύω: 'reign'; the saints' co-rule with Christ (cf. v.4; 22:5).
μετ’withpreposition + genitive (association)μετά: 'with'; accompaniment with Christ.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of μετά
χίλιαthousandAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (with ἔτη)χίλιοι: 'thousand'; the millennium of priestly reign.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of timeἔτος: 'year'; the thousand years.
7
Καὶ ὅταν τελεσθῇ τὰ χίλια ἔτη, λυθήσεται ὁ Σατανᾶς ἐκ τῆς φυλακῆς αὐτοῦ,
And when the thousand years are finished, Satan will be released from his prison,
The καί resumes the narrative after the parenthesis of vv.5–6. The temporal ὅταν + subjunctive marks the term's end; the future passive λυθήσεται fulfills the δεῖ λυθῆναι of v.3 — Satan loosed from his prison for the final deception.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: resuming the narrative line.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)ὅταν: 'whenever, when'; with the subjunctive, the indefinite-yet-certain moment.
τελεσθῇare finishedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · τελέωsubjunctive (temporal clause)→ aoristic — the completion of the termτελέω: 'finish, complete'; the thousand years run out.
τὰtheNominativearticle
χίλιαthousandNominativesubject of τελεσθῇ (with ἔτη)χίλιοι: 'thousand'; the millennium-term.
ἔτηyearsNominativesubject of τελεσθῇἔτος: 'year'; the thousand years.
λυθήσεταιwill be releasedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · λύωmain verb (future passive)→ future — the foreordained releaseλύω: 'loose, release'; the divine passive fulfilling δεῖ λυθῆναι (v.3).
ὁtheNominativearticle
ΣατανᾶςSatanNominativesubject of λυθήσεταιΣατανᾶς: 'Satan'; the loosed adversary.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)ἐκ: 'out of, from'; release from confinement.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
φυλακῆςprisonGenitiveobject of ἐκφυλακή: 'prison, guard'; the abyss as Satan's prison (cf. vv.2–3).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
8
καὶ ἐξελεύσεται πλανῆσαι τὰ ἔθνη τὰ ἐν ταῖς τέσσαρσιν γωνίαις τῆς γῆς, τὸν Γὼγ καὶ Μαγώγ, συναγαγεῖν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸν πόλεμον, ὧν ὁ ἀριθμὸς αὐτῶν ὡς ἡ ἄμμος τῆς θαλάσσης.
and he will go out to deceive the nations which are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for war, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
The loosed Satan resumes his old work (πλανῆσαι, the same verb prevented in v.3). The nations of the four corners are named Γὼγ καὶ Μαγώγ from Ezekiel 38–39 — the eschatological host gathered against God's people, innumerable as the sea-sand (cf. Judg 7:12).
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector.
ἐξελεύσεταιhe will go outFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb→ future — Satan's sallyἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, come forth'; Satan goes out from his prison to deceive.
πλανῆσαιto deceiveAor Act Infin · πλανάωinfinitive of purpose→ aoristic — the aim of deceivingπλανάω: 'lead astray, deceive'; his signature act, resumed (cf. v.3).
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔθνηnationsAccusativedirect object of πλανῆσαιἔθνος: 'nation'; the deceived peoples.
τὰthe (which are)Accusativearticle (attributive, with prep. phrase)
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place)ἐν: 'in, at'; locating the nations.
ταῖςtheDativearticle
τέσσαρσινfourDativecardinal numeral (attributive)τέσσαρες: 'four'; the four corners = the whole earth (cf. 7:1).
γωνίαιςcornersDativeobject of ἐνγωνία: 'corner, angle'; the four quarters of the earth.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (the earth's corners)γῆ: 'earth, land'; the whole inhabited world.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Γώγ, appositional)
ΓὼγGogAccusativeappositional to τὰ ἔθνη (predicate name)Γώγ: 'Gog' (Ezek 38–39); the prince/people of the eschatological assault, here a name for the gathered nations.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ΜαγώγMagogAccusativeappositional (predicate name, coordinate)Μαγώγ: 'Magog' (Ezek 38–39); paired with Gog as the symbol of the world's last rebellion.
συναγαγεῖνto gatherAor Act Infin · συνάγωinfinitive of purpose (coordinate)→ aoristic — the musteringσυνάγω: 'gather together, assemble'; the muster for the final battle (cf. 16:14, 16).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal/purpose)εἰς: 'for, unto'; the purpose of the gathering.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
πόλεμονwarAccusativeobject of εἰςπόλεμος: 'war, battle'; the final eschatological conflict (cf. 16:14; 19:19).
ὧνof whomGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive)ὅς: relative pronoun; 'whose [number].'
ὁtheNominativearticle
ἀριθμὸςnumberNominativesubject (verbless clause)ἀριθμός: 'number'; the count of the host.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitiveresumptive genitive (Semitic redundancy)αὐτός: redundant resumptive pronoun after ὧν — the seer's Hebraic style.
ὡςascomparative particleὡς: 'as, like'; introducing the simile.
ἡtheNominativearticle
ἄμμοςsandNominativepredicate of comparisonἄμμος: 'sand'; the proverbial image of an innumerable host (cf. Judg 7:12; Gen 22:17).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
θαλάσσηςseaGenitivegenitive (the sea's sand)θάλασσα: 'sea'; the sand of the sea, beyond counting.
9
καὶ ἀνέβησαν ἐπὶ τὸ πλάτος τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἐκύκλευσαν τὴν παρεμβολὴν τῶν ἁγίων καὶ τὴν πόλιν τὴν ἠγαπημένην. καὶ κατέβη πῦρ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτούς·
And they went up over the breadth of the earth and encircled the camp of the saints and the beloved city; and fire came down from heaven and consumed them.
The host marches up and encircles the camp of the saints and the beloved city (Jerusalem / the people of God; cf. Ps 87:2). But the assault is undone before it begins: fire from heaven devours them (κατέφαγεν), echoing the fire on Gog (Ezek 38:22; 39:6) and on Sodom — judgment, not battle.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector.
ἀνέβησανthey went upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ aoristic — the marchἀναβαίνω: 'go up, ascend'; the host advances over the land (cf. Ezek 38:11, 16).
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (extent)ἐπί: 'upon, over'; spreading across.
τὸtheAccusativearticle
πλάτοςbreadthAccusativeobject of ἐπίπλάτος: 'breadth, width'; the whole expanse of the earth covered by the host.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle
γῆςearthGenitivegenitiveγῆ: 'earth, land'; the broad earth overrun.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκύκλευσανthey encircledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κυκλεύωmain verb (coordinate)→ aoristic — the siege laidκυκλεύω: 'surround, encircle'; the besieging of the saints' camp.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativedirect objectπαρεμβολή: 'camp, encampment'; the saints pictured as an encamped host (cf. the wilderness camp of Israel).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
ἁγίωνsaintsGenitivegenitive (whose camp)ἅγιος: 'holy one, saint'; the people of God encamped.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object (coordinate)πόλις: 'city'; the beloved city, Jerusalem / the dwelling of God's people (cf. 21:2).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive)
ἠγαπημένηνbelovedPerf Pass Ptc · Acc Sg Fem · ἀγαπάωattributive participle (with πόλιν)→ resultative perfect — the city as God's belovedἀγαπάω: 'love'; the beloved city, God's elect dwelling (cf. Ps 78:68; 87:2).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κατέβηcame downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb→ aoristic — the descent of fireκαταβαίνω: 'come down'; the fire of judgment falls (cf. Ezek 38:22; 2 Kgs 1:10).
πῦρfireNominativesubject of κατέβηπῦρ: 'fire'; the heavenly fire consuming the besiegers.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: 'out of, from'; the heavenly source.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἐκοὐρανός: 'heaven'; whence the fire descends.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κατέφαγενconsumedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατεσθίωmain verb (coordinate)→ aoristic — the devouringκατεσθίω: 'devour, consume utterly'; the fire eats up the host (cf. 11:5; 2 Kgs 1:10).
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object
10
καὶ ὁ διάβολος ὁ πλανῶν αὐτοὺς ἐβλήθη εἰς τὴν λίμνην τοῦ πυρὸς καὶ θείου, ὅπου καὶ τὸ θηρίον καὶ ὁ ψευδοπροφήτης, καὶ βασανισθήσονται ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.
And the devil who was deceiving them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
The arch-deceiver meets the doom already dealt the beast and false prophet (19:20): cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. The future βασανισθήσονται ('they will be tormented') with the unending εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων seals the unholy trinity's perpetual punishment.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector.
ὁtheNominativearticle
διάβολοςdevilNominativesubject of ἐβλήθηδιάβολος: 'Devil, slanderer'; the adversary of vv.2, 7.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizing participle)
πλανῶνwho deceivesPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πλανάωattributive participle (with διάβολος)→ imperfective — the deceiver as suchπλανάω: 'deceive, lead astray'; the devil's defining work (cf. vv.3, 8).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of the participle
ἐβλήθηwas castAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb (divine passive)→ aoristic — the act of castingβάλλω: 'throw, cast'; the divine passive of final condemnation (cf. 19:20).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)εἰς: 'into'; the goal of the casting.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
λίμνηνlakeAccusativeobject of εἰςλίμνη: 'lake, pool'; the lake of fire, the place of final doom (cf. 19:20; 20:14–15).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
πυρὸςfireGenitivegenitive (of content)πῦρ: 'fire'; the lake's substance.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
θείουbrimstoneGenitivegenitive (coordinate)θεῖον: 'sulphur, brimstone'; the burning sulphur of the lake (cf. 19:20; 21:8).
ὅπουwhererelative adverb (place)ὅπου: 'where'; locating the beast and false prophet already there.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)καί: 'also'; the beast and false prophet are there too.
τὸtheNominativearticle
θηρίονbeastNominativesubject (verbless 'are')θηρίον: 'beast'; cast in earlier (19:20).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
ψευδοπροφήτηςfalse prophetNominativesubject (coordinate)ψευδοπροφήτης: 'false prophet'; the beast's propagandist (cf. 16:13; 19:20).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βασανισθήσονταιthey will be tormentedFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · βασανίζωmain verb (future passive)→ future — the unending tormentβασανίζω: 'torment, torture'; the perpetual punishment of the unholy trinity (cf. 14:10–11).
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive of time (within which)ἡμέρα: 'day'; 'day and night,' i.e. ceaselessly.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
νυκτὸςnightGenitivegenitive of time (within which)νύξ: 'night'; the unbroken duration of torment.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (extent)εἰς: 'unto, for'; extending to.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
αἰῶναςagesAccusativeobject of εἰςαἰών: 'age'; 'unto the ages of the ages' = forever (the Apocalypse's standard eternity-formula).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle
αἰώνωνagesGenitivegenitive (intensifying)αἰών: 'age'; the doubled phrase marks endless duration.
11
Καὶ εἶδον θρόνον μέγαν λευκὸν καὶ τὸν καθήμενον ἐπ’ αὐτόν, οὗ ἀπὸ τοῦ προσώπου ἔφυγεν ἡ γῆ καὶ ὁ οὐρανός, καὶ τόπος οὐχ εὑρέθη αὐτοῖς.
And I saw a great white throne and the one seated on it, from whose face earth and heaven fled, and no place was found for them.
A new καὶ εἶδον opens the final judgment. The great white throne and its Occupant are so awesome that the old creation flees (cf. 21:1; Dan 2:35); 'no place was found for them' anticipates the new heaven and earth. The Judge is unnamed — God, or God in Christ (cf. John 5:22).
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
Καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector opening the vision.
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (vision formula)→ aoristic — the seer's beholdingὁράω: 'see'; the καὶ εἶδον vision-marker.
θρόνονthroneAccusativedirect objectθρόνος: 'throne'; the judgment-seat of God.
μέγανgreatAccusativeattributive adjectiveμέγας: 'great'; the throne's majesty.
λευκὸνwhiteAccusativeattributive adjectiveλευκός: 'white'; purity and the splendor of judgment (cf. Dan 7:9).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸνthe oneAccusativearticle (substantizing participle)
καθήμενονseatedPres Mid Ptc · Acc Sg Masc · κάθημαιsubstantival participle (object)→ imperfective — the one enthronedκάθημαι: 'sit, be seated'; 'the one seated on the throne,' the Judge (cf. 4:2; 5:1).
ἐπ’onpreposition + accusative (place)ἐπί: 'on, upon'; the throne occupied.
αὐτόνitAccusativeobject of ἐπί
οὗwhoseGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive)ὅς: relative pronoun; 'from whose face.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)ἀπό: 'from'; the point of flight.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
προσώπουfaceGenitiveobject of ἀπόπρόσωπον: 'face, presence'; the Judge's overwhelming presence.
ἔφυγενfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωmain verb→ aoristic — the flight of creationφεύγω: 'flee'; the old creation flees before its Maker-Judge (cf. 21:1; Ps 114:3, 7).
ἡtheNominativearticle
γῆearthNominativesubject of ἔφυγενγῆ: 'earth'; the old earth fleeing away.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
οὐρανόςheavenNominativesubject (coordinate)οὐρανός: 'heaven, sky'; the old heaven fleeing with the earth.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τόποςplaceNominativesubject of εὑρέθητόπος: 'place'; no place remained for the old order (cf. Dan 2:35).
οὐχnotnegative (with indicative)οὐ: negating εὑρέθη.
εὑρέθηwas foundAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (passive)→ aoristic — none was foundεὑρίσκω: 'find'; the old creation has no place left.
αὐτοῖςfor themDativedative of reference/advantageαὐτός: 'them'; the fled earth and heaven.
12
καὶ εἶδον τοὺς νεκρούς, τοὺς μεγάλους καὶ τοὺς μικρούς, ἑστῶτας ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου, καὶ βιβλία ἠνοίχθησαν· καὶ ἄλλο βιβλίον ἠνοίχθη, ὅ ἐστιν τῆς ζωῆς· καὶ ἐκρίθησαν οἱ νεκροὶ ἐκ τῶν γεγραμμένων ἐν τοῖς βιβλίοις κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν.
And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged by the things written in the books, according to their works.
All the dead, great and small, stand before the throne. Two sets of records are opened: the 'books' of deeds and the singular 'book of life' (cf. Dan 7:10; 12:1; Exod 32:32). Judgment is κατὰ τὰ ἔργα — strictly by works — even as the book of life decides destiny (vv.15).
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector.
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (vision formula)→ aoristic — the seer's beholdingὁράω: 'see'; the vision-marker.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
νεκρούςdeadAccusativedirect objectνεκρός: 'dead'; all the dead raised for judgment.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
μεγάλουςgreatAccusativesubstantival adjective (apposition)μέγας: 'great'; the great judged alongside the small — no rank exempt (cf. 11:18; 19:5).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
μικρούςsmallAccusativesubstantival adjective (apposition)μικρός: 'small, lowly'; the least also judged.
ἑστῶταςstandingPerf Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἵστημιcircumstantial participle (with νεκρούς)→ resultative perfect — standing (and remaining so)ἵστημι: 'stand'; the dead arraigned before the throne (the perfect ἑστῶτας has present force).
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitiveἐνώπιον: 'before, in the presence of'; the dead arraigned at the throne.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θρόνουthroneGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιονθρόνος: 'throne'; the great white throne of v.11.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
βιβλίαbooksNominativesubject of ἠνοίχθησανβιβλίον: 'book, scroll'; the record-books of deeds (cf. Dan 7:10).
ἠνοίχθησανwere openedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀνοίγωmain verb (passive)→ aoristic — the books openedἀνοίγω: 'open'; the divine passive of the assize.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἄλλοanotherNominativeattributive adjectiveἄλλος: 'another (of the same kind)'; a further book distinct from the deed-records.
βιβλίονbookNominativesubject of ἠνοίχθηβιβλίον: 'book, scroll'; the book of life.
ἠνοίχθηwas openedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀνοίγωmain verb (passive)→ aoristic — the book openedἀνοίγω: 'open'; the book of life opened too.
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)ὅς: relative pronoun introducing the gloss.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative — the identificationεἰμί: 'be'; identifying the book as that of life.
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ζωῆςlifeGenitivegenitive (the book 'of life')ζωή: 'life'; the Lamb's book of life (cf. 3:5; 13:8; 21:27).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκρίθησανwere judgedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κρίνωmain verb (passive)→ aoristic — the verdict renderedκρίνω: 'judge'; the dead judged at the assize.
οἱtheNominativearticle
νεκροὶdeadNominativesubject of ἐκρίθησαννεκρός: 'dead'; the subjects of judgment.
ἐκbypreposition + genitive (basis)ἐκ: 'out of, on the basis of'; the records as the ground of judgment.
τῶνthe thingsGenitivearticle (substantizing participle)
γεγραμμένωνwrittenPerf Pass Ptc · Gen Pl Neut · γράφωsubstantival participle (genitive)→ resultative perfect — what stands writtenγράφω: 'write'; the recorded deeds (the perfect marks the abiding record).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)ἐν: 'in'; within the books.
τοῖςtheDativearticle
βιβλίοιςbooksDativeobject of ἐνβιβλίον: 'book'; the deed-records.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)κατά: 'according to'; the criterion of judgment.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativeobject of κατάἔργον: 'work, deed'; judgment by works (cf. 2:23; 22:12; Rom 2:6).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
13
καὶ ἔδωκεν ἡ θάλασσα τοὺς νεκροὺς τοὺς ἐν αὐτῇ, καὶ ὁ θάνατος καὶ ὁ ᾅδης ἔδωκαν τοὺς νεκροὺς τοὺς ἐν αὐτοῖς, καὶ ἐκρίθησαν ἕκαστος κατὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν.
And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and each was judged according to their works.
The threefold ἔδωκεν: sea, Death, and Hades disgorge their dead — no realm withholds its captives. The constructio ad sensum ἐκρίθησαν … ἕκαστος ('they were judged … each one') stresses the individual reckoning, again κατὰ τὰ ἔργα.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector.
ἔδωκενgave upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ aoristic — the surrender of the deadδίδωμι: 'give, give up'; the sea yields its dead.
ἡtheNominativearticle
θάλασσαseaNominativesubject of ἔδωκενθάλασσα: 'sea'; the deep that holds the drowned dead.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
νεκροὺςdeadAccusativedirect objectνεκρός: 'dead'; those held by the sea.
τοὺςthe (who)Accusativearticle (attributive, with prep. phrase)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)ἐν: 'in'; within the sea.
αὐτῇitDativeobject of ἐν
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
θάνατοςDeathNominativesubject (coordinate)θάνατος: 'Death'; personified, holder of the dead (cf. 6:8; 1 Cor 15:26).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
ᾅδηςHadesNominativesubject (coordinate)ᾅδης: 'Hades'; the realm of the dead, personified with Death (cf. 1:18; 6:8; 20:14).
ἔδωκανgave upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb→ aoristic — the surrender of the deadδίδωμι: 'give up'; Death and Hades yield their dead.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
νεκροὺςdeadAccusativedirect objectνεκρός: 'dead'; those held in the underworld.
τοὺςthe (who)Accusativearticle (attributive, with prep. phrase)
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)ἐν: 'in'; within them.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκρίθησανwere judgedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κρίνωmain verb (passive, ad sensum)→ aoristic — the verdict on eachκρίνω: 'judge'; the plural verb with distributive ἕκαστος (constructio ad sensum).
ἕκαστοςeachNominativesubject (distributive apposition)ἕκαστος: 'each one'; the individual reckoning of every person.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)κατά: 'according to'; the criterion.
τὰtheAccusativearticle
ἔργαworksAccusativeobject of κατάἔργον: 'work, deed'; judgment by works again (cf. v.12).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession
14
καὶ ὁ θάνατος καὶ ὁ ᾅδης ἐβλήθησαν εἰς τὴν λίμνην τοῦ πυρός. οὗτος ὁ θάνατος ὁ δεύτερός ἐστιν, ἡ λίμνη τοῦ πυρός.
And Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
Death and Hades, the last enemies (1 Cor 15:26), are themselves thrown into the lake of fire — death is abolished. The seer glosses the lake as 'the second death,' the final, irreversible perishing (cf. vv.6; 21:8).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θάνατοςDeathNominativesubject of ἐβλήθησανθάνατος: 'Death'; personified, now itself destroyed (cf. 1 Cor 15:26, 54).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὁtheNominativearticle
ᾅδηςHadesNominativesubject (coordinate)ᾅδης: 'Hades'; the realm of the dead, abolished with Death.
ἐβλήθησανwere castAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · βάλλωmain verb (divine passive)→ aoristic — the casting of Death and Hadesβάλλω: 'throw, cast'; even Death is hurled into the lake (cf. v.10).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)εἰς: 'into'; the goal of the casting.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
λίμνηνlakeAccusativeobject of εἰςλίμνη: 'lake'; the lake of fire (cf. v.10).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
πυρόςfireGenitivegenitive (of content)πῦρ: 'fire'; the lake's substance.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (subject)οὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the lake just named.
ὁtheNominativearticle
θάνατοςdeathNominativepredicate nominativeθάνατος: 'death'; here 'the second death,' the final perishing.
ὁtheNominativearticle (attributive)
δεύτερόςsecondNominativeattributive adjectiveδεύτερος: 'second'; 'the second death,' beyond which is no return (cf. vv.6; 21:8).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative — the identificationεἰμί: 'be'; equating the lake with the second death.
ἡtheNominativearticle (apposition)
λίμνηlakeNominativeappositional nominativeλίμνη: 'lake'; the lake of fire, in apposition explaining 'the second death.'
τοῦofGenitivearticle
πυρόςfireGenitivegenitive (of content)πῦρ: 'fire'; the lake's substance, defining the second death.
15
καὶ εἴ τις οὐχ εὑρέθη ἐν τῇ βίβλῳ τῆς ζωῆς γεγραμμένος, ἐβλήθη εἰς τὴν λίμνην τοῦ πυρός.
And if anyone was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
The chapter closes with the decisive criterion: not being written in the book of life means the lake of fire. The first-class condition (εἰ + indicative) treats the case as real; the perfect γεγραμμένος stresses the settled, abiding record.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunctionκαί: narrative connector.
εἴifconditional particle (first-class)εἰ: 'if'; with the indicative, a condition treated as real.
τιςanyoneNominativeindefinite pronoun (subject)τις: 'anyone, someone'; the indefinite subject.
οὐχnotnegative (with indicative)οὐ: negating εὑρέθη.
εὑρέθηwas foundAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of the protasis (passive)→ aoristic — the finding (or not)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; whether one is found inscribed in the book.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)ἐν: 'in'; within the book.
τῇtheDativearticle
βίβλῳbookDativeobject of ἐνβίβλος: 'book, scroll'; the book of life (cf. 3:5; 21:27).
τῆςofGenitivearticle
ζωῆςlifeGenitivegenitive (the book 'of life')ζωή: 'life'; the register of those granted eternal life.
γεγραμμένοςwrittenPerf Pass Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · γράφωpredicate participle (with εὑρέθη)→ resultative perfect — inscribed and remaining soγράφω: 'write'; 'found written,' i.e. enrolled in the book of life (the perfect marks the abiding inscription).
ἐβλήθηhe was castAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb of the apodosis (divine passive)→ aoristic — the act of castingβάλλω: 'throw, cast'; the final sentence on the unenrolled (cf. v.10, 14).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)εἰς: 'into'; the goal of the casting.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
λίμνηνlakeAccusativeobject of εἰςλίμνη: 'lake'; the lake of fire, the second death (vv.10, 14).
τοῦofGenitivearticle
πυρόςfireGenitivegenitive (of content)πῦρ: 'fire'; the lake's substance.