Revelation 2:20
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that Jesus has "a few things" against the church, not because they are actively doing wrong, but because they are tolerating this influential figure, Jezebel, and her destructive teachings. This reveals a crucial point: allowing sin to persist, even without personal participation, is something God takes seriously.
But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The church at Thyatira is being addressed by Christ, who acknowledges their good deeds but then sharply rebukes them for tolerating a woman referred to as "Jezebel." This figure, who claims prophetic authority, is actively leading believers into idolatry and sexual immorality, drawing parallels to the wicked Queen Jezebel from the Old Testament. The core issue is the church's failure to confront and expel this corrupting influence, allowing it to spread among God's people.
Even a church with many good works can be in serious trouble with God. How can a church, and its leaders, go wrong by simply 'letting things slide'?
Jesus addresses the church in Thyatira, commending their love, service, faith, and perseverance. However, He has a sharp word for them: they 'tolerate that woman Jezebel.'
What does 'tolerate' mean here?
It's not about actively agreeing with Jezebel, but about allowing her influence to continue unchecked. The Greek word used (epheseis) suggests a passive allowing, a failure to act against a harmful presence. It's like knowing there's a problem but not dealing with it.
The Danger of Inaction
This inaction has severe consequences. Jezebel is described as teaching and seducing Christ's servants to compromise their faith through sexual immorality and idolatry (eating food sacrificed to idols). Allowing this deception to spread wounds the body of Christ and dishonors Him.
A Leader's Responsibility
While the church as a whole is addressed, the commentary suggests the leader (the 'angel') bears a significant responsibility. Whether Jezebel was literally the leader's wife or a powerful figure within the church, the leader’s failure to address her destructive teachings is a major point of criticism.
Ask a follow-up
Why does Jesus use the name 'Jezebel' – a notorious figure from the Old Testament? What does this ancient name reveal about the threat in Thyatira?
The name 'Jezebel' is not likely the woman's actual name but a symbolic title, invoking the memory of the wicked queen from the Old Testament.
Echoes of the Past
The historical Jezebel (wife of King Ahab) was infamous for leading Israel into idolatry, promoting the worship of Baal and Asherah, persecuting prophets, and engaging in immoral practices. She wielded significant influence, corrupting the nation.
A Modern Jezebel Spirit
Jesus uses this name to describe a woman in Thyatira who, calling herself a prophetess, was also a powerful, deceptive force. She likely claimed divine authority for her teachings, but her message led God's people astray.
The Seduction of Compromise
Her teachings encouraged two key compromises:
The 'Jezebel spirit' represents a seductive, influential force that uses a veneer of spirituality to lead people into sin and compromise.
Some in Thyatira might have seen Jezebel's teachings as progressive or insightful. What were the 'deep things' she offered, and why were they actually dangerous?
Jezebel's teaching wasn't just about minor rule-bending; it was a profound departure from truth, often disguised as deeper spiritual understanding.
A Claim to Special Knowledge
By calling herself a 'prophetess,' she presented herself as having unique access to divine revelation. This could easily impress people looking for something more profound than everyday faith.
The Allure of 'Deep Things'
Commentators suggest that these teachers may have presented their ideas as 'deep things' – advanced spiritual insights or experiences that transcended ordinary morality. This is a common tactic for cults and false teachers, suggesting that mainstream Christian ethics are too simplistic.
The Reality: Depths of Satan
Jesus, however, exposes the true nature of this teaching. What seemed like spiritual depth was, in reality, a pathway into destructive error and sin. The 'depths' Jezebel offered were not divine wisdom but the 'deep things of Satan' (as mentioned in the contrasting passage, Revelation 2:24).
Spiritual Discernment is Crucial
This highlights the absolute necessity of spiritual discernment. We must test all teachings, even those presented by charismatic individuals or groups claiming special insight, against the unchanging Word of God.
Understand the original words
aphiēmi · Greek Verb
The practice of yielding to or failing to exercise church discipline against false teaching or unrepentant sin, compromising the purity and testimony of the local congregation.
prophētis · Greek Noun
Refers to someone claiming to speak on behalf of God, but whose message contradicts established biblical truth; biblically, it serves as a warning against those who lead the people of God into spiritual or moral compromise.
porneia · Greek Noun
Greek term 'porneia', encompassing any sexual activity outside of the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman; in a biblical context, it often serves as a metaphor for spiritual infidelity or idolatry.
eidōlothyton · Greek Adjective/Noun
The act of revering or worshiping any created thing, person, or object in the place of the one true God; it is considered a violation of the primary commandment and a breach of the covenant relationship with God.
The reference to Jezebel in Revelation evokes the historical figure's powerful, corrupting influence and her promotion of idolatry and sexual immorality. This historical parallel highlights the severity of the compromise and spiritual seduction occurring within the church at Thyatira.
c. 874–853 BC
Jezebel Worsens Idolatry in Israel
Jezebel, daughter of the king of Sidon and wife of King Ahab, promotes the worship of Baal and Asherah in Israel, persecuting the prophets of Yahweh and leading the northern kingdom into widespread idolatry and syncretism. This period marks a significant moral and religious crisis.
c. 842 BC
Jehu's Violent Purge of Baal Worship
Following divine judgment upon Ahab's house, Jehu leads a violent purge, eradicating the worship of Baal and killing Jezebel and many of her supporters. This event signifies a drastic, though temporary, end to Jezebel's influence in Israel.
c. 1st century AD— this verse
Emergence of Heretical Teachings in Thyatira
In the city of Thyatira, a woman, symbolized by the name Jezebel, emerges as a prominent figure. She claims prophetic authority and teaches doctrines that promote sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols, blending pagan practices with Christian belief.
c. 95 AD
John Writes the Book of Revelation
The Apostle John, likely in exile on the island of Patmos, receives visions from Jesus Christ and is commanded to write letters to seven churches in Asia Minor, including Thyatira. The letter to Thyatira addresses the issue of the tolerated 'Jezebel' teaching.
This passage directly contrasts Elijah with Jezebel, highlighting her corrupting influence and promotion of idolatry, which parallels the situation in Thyatira where a 'Jezebel' figure was leading God's people astray.
Exodus 34:15-16This verse warns against making covenants with the inhabitants of the land, specifically mentioning sexual immorality and idolatry, which are the very sins Jezebel is accused of promoting in Revelation 2:20.
1 Corinthians 10:20-21Paul warns against participating in idol feasts, equating it to fellowship with demons, which directly relates to the 'eating food sacrificed to idols' that Jezebel was teaching the church in Thyatira to do.
2 Peter 2:1This passage speaks of false prophets who will secretly introduce destructive heresies and deny Christ, mirroring the deceptive teaching and seduction described in Revelation 2:20.
ellicottRevelation 2:20: "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."
(20) A few things. —The Sinaitic MS. has “I have much against thee; but the reading, I have against thee that thou lettest alone, &c., is to be preferred. Jezebel.—Some adopt the reading, “thy wife Jezebel.” From these words it has been thought that th…
gillRevelation 2:20: "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."
Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee,.... By way of complaint; so the Arabic version renders it, "I have a certain complaint against thee". The impartiality of Christ may be observed in taking notice of the bad deeds, as well as of the goo…
The verse highlights that Jesus has "a few things" against the church, not because they are actively doing wrong, but because they are tolerating this influential figure, Jezebel, and her destructive teachings. This reveals a crucial point: allowing sin to persist, even without personal participation, is something God takes seriously.
The church at Thyatira is being addressed by Christ, who acknowledges their good deeds but then sharply rebukes them for tolerating a woman referred to as "Jezebel." This figure, who claims prophetic authority, is actively leading believers into idolatry and sexual immorality, drawing parallels to the wicked Queen Jezebel from the Old Testament. The core issue is the church's failure to confront and expel this corrupting influence, allowing it to spread among God's people.
The church at Thyatira is being addressed by Christ, who acknowledges their good deeds but then sharply rebukes them for tolerating a woman referred to as "Jezebel." This figure, who claims prophetic authority, is actively leading believers into idolatry and sexual immorality, drawing parallels to the wicked Queen Jezebel from the Old Testament. The core issue is the church's failure to confront and expel this corrupting influence, allowing it to spread among God's people.
"But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols." — The verse highlights that Jesus has "a few things" against the church, not because they are actively doing wrong, but because they are tolerating this influential figure, Jezebel, and her destructi…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
