Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 17:13

"These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast." — Revelation 17:13 (ASV)

These have one mind. That is, they are united in the promotion of the same object. Though in some respects wholly independent of each other, they may yet be regarded as, in fact, so far united that they tend to promote the same ultimate end. As a fact in history, all these kingdoms, though of different origin and often engaged in war with each other, became Roman Catholics and were united in the support of the Papacy. It was therefore appropriate that they should be regarded as so closely connected with that power that they could be represented as "ten horns" on the seven-headed monster.

And shall give their power and strength unto the beast. Shall lend their influence to the support of the Papacy and become the upholders of that power. The meaning, according to the interpretation proposed above, is that they would all become Papal kingdoms and supporters of the Papal power. It is unnecessary to pause to show how true this has been in history.

At first, most of the people from whom these kingdoms sprang were Pagans. Then, many of them embraced Christianity under the prevailing form of Arianism. This fact was for a time a barrier to their perfect adhesion to the Roman See, but they were all ultimately brought wholly under its influence and became its supporters.

In A.D. 496, Clovis, the king of the Franks, following his victory over the Allemanni, embraced the Catholic faith and so received the title "the eldest son of the church." This title was transmitted downward through nearly thirteen hundred years to the French kings as his successors. During the sixth century, the kings of Burgundy, Bavaria, Spain, Portugal, and England also embraced the same religion and became defenders of the Papacy.

It is well known that each of the powers listed above as constituting these ten kingdoms became subject to the Papacy. They continued so during their separate existence, or when merged into another power, until the Reformation in the sixteenth century. All "their power and strength was given unto the beast." All was made subservient to the purposes of Papal Rome.