Revelation 13 in the early church

[Vulgate: Apocalypse]

109 passages quote, allude to, or echo Revelation 13, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18

Revelation 13:1

Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads rising out of the sea. There were ten royal crowns on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:1	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 12 (on Rev 13, 11) · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:1	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 20 (on Rev 17, 8) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:1	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.1 · Victorinus of Pettau	quotation, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 13:1	Eleven Tractates 1.7 · Priscillian	quotation, high confidence	ca. 380–385
Rev 13:1	Eleven Tractates 1.8 · Priscillian	quotation, high confidence	ca. 380–385

Revelation 13:2

The beast I saw was like a leopard, with the feet of a bear and the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:2	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:2	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.1 · Victorinus of Pettau	quotation, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 13:2	Eleven Tractates 1.8 · Priscillian	quotation, high confidence	ca. 380–385

Revelation 13:3

One of the heads of the beast appeared to have been mortally wounded. But the mortal wound was healed, and the whole world marveled and followed the beast.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:3	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:3	On Christ and Antichrist 49 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:3	On Christ and Antichrist 50 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:3	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 11 (on Rev 13, 3) · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:3	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.3 · Victorinus of Pettau	quotation, high confidence	late 3rd century

Revelation 13:4

They worshiped the dragon who had given authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can wage war against it?”
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:4	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190

Revelation 13:5

The beast was given a mouth to speak arrogant and blasphemous words, and authority to act for 42 months.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:5	Acts of John 8 · Anonymous	echo, low confidence	ca. 150–200
Rev 13:5	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:5	Lines 885–908 · Commodian	allusion, medium confidence	3rd century (disputed)
Rev 13:5	Church History 7.10.2 · Eusebius of Caesarea	quotation, high confidence	ca. 300–325
Rev 13:5	Divine Institutes 7.17.8 · Lactantius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 303–311
Rev 13:5	Epitome of the Divine Institutes 66.8 · Lactantius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 314–320
Rev 13:5	Catechetical Lecture 15.12 · Cyril of Jerusalem	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 350
Rev 13:5	Explanation of Twelve Psalms 45.10.3 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 387-397
Rev 13:5	City of God 20.8 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	413–426
Rev 13:5	City of God 20.13 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	413–426
Rev 13:5–8	Part 4, chapter 10 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Revelation 13:6

And the beast opened its mouth to speak blasphemies against God and to slander His name and His tabernacle—those who dwell in heaven.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:6	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:6	On Christ and Antichrist 47 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:6	On the Christian Faith 2.15 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 378–380
Rev 13:6	Explanation of Twelve Psalms 45.10.3 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 387-397

Revelation 13:7

Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:7	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:7	On the Christian Faith 2.15 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 378–380

Revelation 13:8

And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written from the foundation of the world in the Book of Life belonging to the Lamb who was slain.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:8	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:8	Lines 813–836 · Commodian	allusion, medium confidence	3rd century (disputed)
Rev 13:8	Acts of Achatius (Disputation of Achatius) 5 · Anonymous	echo, low confidence	ca. 250–251
Rev 13:8	In Praise of Martyrdom 30 · Anonymous	echo, low confidence	3rd cent. (disputed)
Rev 13:8	Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:3 · Ambrosiaster	quotation, high confidence	ca. 366–384
Rev 13:8	Commentary on Romans 5:14 · Ambrosiaster	quotation, high confidence	ca. 366–384
Rev 13:8	Question 3, section 4 · Ambrosiaster	quotation, high confidence	ca. 370–384
Rev 13:8	City of God 20.8 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	413–426
Rev 13:8	Part 3, chapter 35 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Revelation 13:9

He who has an ear, let him hear:
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:9	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:9	Tractates 8 · Gaudentius of Brescia	quotation, high confidence	ca. 397-410

Revelation 13:10

“If anyone is destined for captivity, into captivity he will go; if anyone is to die by the sword, by the sword he must be killed.” Here is a call for the perseverance and faith of the saints.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:10	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:10	On Christ and Antichrist 49 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:10	Paraenesis, or Exhortation to Penitence 5 · Pacian of Barcelona	allusion, low confidence	ca. 360-390

Revelation 13:11

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:11	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:11	On Christ and Antichrist 6 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:11	On Christ and Antichrist 48 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:11	On Christ and Antichrist 49 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:11	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 12 (on Rev 13, 11) · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:11	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 13 (on Rev 13, 11) · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:11	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.4 · Victorinus of Pettau	allusion, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 13:11	Against the Arians 12 · Phoebadius of Agen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 357-358
Rev 13:11	Part 4, chapter 11 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Revelation 13:12

And this beast exercised all the authority of the first beast and caused the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose mortal wound had been healed.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:12	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:12	On Christ and Antichrist 48 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:12	On Christ and Antichrist 49 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215

Revelation 13:13

And the second beast performed great signs, even causing fire from heaven to come down to earth in the presence of the people.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:13	Didache 16.4 · Anonymous	echo, medium confidence	ca. 50–150 (often ca. 100)
Rev 13:13	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:13	On Christ and Antichrist 48 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:13	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 11 (on Rev 13, 3) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:13	Lines 909–932 · Commodian	allusion, medium confidence	3rd century (disputed)
Rev 13:13	Instructions 1.41 · Commodian	allusion, high confidence	3rd century (disputed)
Rev 13:13	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.4 · Victorinus of Pettau	allusion, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 13:13	Divine Institutes 7.17.4 · Lactantius	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 303–311
Rev 13:13	Divine Institutes 7.17.5 · Lactantius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 303–311
Rev 13:13	Epitome of the Divine Institutes 66.8 · Lactantius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 314–320
Rev 13:13–14	Part 4, chapter 11 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	quotation, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Revelation 13:14

Because of the signs it was given to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived those who dwell on the earth, telling them to make an image to the beast that had been wounded by the sword and yet had lived.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:14	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:14	On Christ and Antichrist 48 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:14	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.4 · Victorinus of Pettau	allusion, high confidence	late 3rd century

Revelation 13:15

The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:15	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:15	On Christ and Antichrist 48 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:15	On Christ and Antichrist 49 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:15	On Christ and Antichrist 50 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:15	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 11 (on Rev 13, 3) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:15	Instructions 1.41 · Commodian	allusion, high confidence	3rd century (disputed)
Rev 13:15	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.4 · Victorinus of Pettau	allusion, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 13:15	Divine Institutes 7.17.5 · Lactantius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 303–311
Rev 13:15	Epitome of the Divine Institutes 66.8 · Lactantius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 314–320

Revelation 13:16

And the second beast required all people, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:16	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:16	On Christ and Antichrist 6 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:16	On Christ and Antichrist 48 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:16	On Christ and Antichrist 49 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:16	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 14 (on Rev 13, 16) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:16	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 17 (on Rev 16, 12) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:16	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.4 · Victorinus of Pettau	allusion, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 13:16	Divine Institutes 7.17.7 · Lactantius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 303–311
Rev 13:16	Epitome of the Divine Institutes 66.9 · Lactantius	allusion, high confidence	ca. 314–320
Rev 13:16	On the Complaints of Job and David 4.27 · Ambrose	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 383-390

Revelation 13:17

so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:17	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:17	On Christ and Antichrist 48 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:17	On Christ and Antichrist 49 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:17	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.4 · Victorinus of Pettau	allusion, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 13:17	Epitome of the Divine Institutes 66.9 · Lactantius	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 314–320

Revelation 13:18

Here is a call for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Rev 13:18	Against Heresies 5.28.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	quotation, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:18	Against Heresies 5.29.2 · Irenaeus of Lyons	allusion, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:18	Against Heresies 5.30.1 · Irenaeus of Lyons	allusion, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:18	Against Heresies 5.30.3 · Irenaeus of Lyons	allusion, high confidence	ca. 180–190
Rev 13:18	On Christ and Antichrist 5 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:18	On Christ and Antichrist 48 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:18	On Christ and Antichrist 50 · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	ca. 200–215
Rev 13:18	Arabic commentary on the Apocalypse, fragment 15 (on Rev 13, 18) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 200-235
Rev 13:18	4.49 · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 202-204
Rev 13:18	Commentary on the Apocalypse 13.3 · Victorinus of Pettau	quotation, high confidence	late 3rd century
Rev 13:18	Church History 3.18.2 · Eusebius of Caesarea	allusion, high confidence	ca. 300–325
Rev 13:18	Church History 5.8.5 · Eusebius of Caesarea	allusion, high confidence	ca. 300–325
Rev 13:18	Eleven Tractates 6.104 · Priscillian	quotation, high confidence	ca. 380–385
Rev 13:18	Eleven Tractates 6.111 · Priscillian	allusion, high confidence	ca. 380–385