Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 13:9

"If any man hath an ear, let him hear." — Revelation 13:9 (ASV)

These verses are both important and difficult. This is the only occurrence in Revelation, apart from chs. 2–3, of the words “he who has an ear, let him hear.” John calls special attention to the need for obedience to the exhortation in v.10b. Most contend that the language of v.10 alludes to Jer 15:2; 43:11, where the prophet describes the certainty of divine judgment that will come upon the rebels in Israel—they will suffer captivity, famine, disease, and death from the sword. Yet it is difficult to see how Jeremiah’s words are appropriate here in this context of an exhortation for believers to be faithful. John’s meaning must be different—namely, that as the rebels in Jeremiah’s day would certainly encounter the divine judgment, so the faithful to Christ are assured that their captivity and martyrdom are in God’s will. No completely satisfying resolution of the problems in v.10 is available. Since the difficult part (10a) is both preceded by (v.9) and followed by (v.10b) appeals to obedience and loyalty, it seems best to stay with the sense of obedient faithfulness. The day of persecution for Christians is at hand, and they will have to suffer. In calmly undergoing this final tribulation they must manifest endurance and faithfulness (cf. Php 1:28). John, in other words, seems to call believers here to passive resistance against their enemies. Yet this resistance, which may result in captivity and even martyrdom, contributes to the eventual defeat of evil.