Rev 9:20-21 | RWP | e4.org | Repented not ( ου μετενοησαν ). First aorist active indicative of μετανοεω . The two-thirds of mankind still spared did not change their creed or their conduct. Of the works ( εκ των εργων ). For this use of εκ after μετανοεω see ; ; . By "works" ( εργων ) here idolatries are meant, as the next verse shows. That they should not worship ( ινα μη προσκυνησουσιν ). Negative purpose clause with ινα μη and the future active of προσκυνεω as in . Devils ( τα δαιμονια ). Both in the O.T. ( ; ; ) and in the N.T. ( ) the worship of idols is called the worship of unclean spirits. Perhaps this is one explanation of the hideous faces given these images. "The idols" ( τα ειδωλα , from ειδος , form, appearance) represented "demons," whether made of gold ( τα χρυσα ) or of silver ( τα αργυρα ) or of brass ( τα χαλκα ) or of stone ( τα λιθινα ) or of wood ( τα ξυλινα ). See for this picture of heathen idols. The helplessness of these idols, "which can neither see nor hear nor walk" ( α ουτε βλεπειν δυναντα ουτε ακουειν ουτε περιπατειν ), is often presented in the O.T. ( .; ).

‏ Revelation of John 9:20-21

Repented not ( ου μετενοησαν ). First aorist active indicative of μετανοεω. The two-thirds of mankind still spared did not change their creed or their conduct.

Of the works ( εκ των εργων ). For this use of εκ after μετανοεω see 2:21; 9:21; 16:11. By "works" ( εργων ) here idolatries are meant, as the next verse shows.

That they should not worship ( ινα μη προσκυνησουσιν ). Negative purpose clause with ινα μη and the future active of προσκυνεω as in 9:5.

Devils ( τα δαιμονια ). Both in the O.T. (De 32:17; Ps 96:5; 106:37) and in the N.T. (1Co 10:21) the worship of idols is called the worship of unclean spirits. Perhaps this is one explanation of the hideous faces given these images. "The idols" ( τα ειδωλα 1Jo 5:21, from ειδος, form, appearance) represented "demons," whether made of gold ( τα χρυσα ) or of silver ( τα αργυρα ) or of brass ( τα χαλκα ) or of stone ( τα λιθινα ) or of wood ( τα ξυλινα ). See Da 5:23 for this picture of heathen idols. The helplessness of these idols, "which can neither see nor hear nor walk" ( α ουτε βλεπειν δυναντα ουτε ακουειν ουτε περιπατειν ), is often presented in the O.T. (Ps 113:12ff.; 115:4).

Of their murders ( εκ των φονων αυτων ). Heads the list, but "sorceries" ( εκ των φαρμακων ) comes next. Φαρμακον was originally enchantment, as also in Re 21:8, then drug. For φαρμακια see Re 18:34; Ga 5:20. The two other items are fornication ( πορνειας ) and thefts ( κλεμματων, old word from κλεπτω, here alone in N.T.), all four characteristic of demonic worship and idolatry. See other lists of vices in Mr 7:21; Ga 5:20; Re 21:8; 22:15. Our word "pharmacy" as applied to drugs and medicine has certainly come a long way out of a bad environment, but there is still a bad odour about "patent medicines."