Revelation 3:9
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Study Note
Study Note
The promise to Philadelphia — 'I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie — behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you' — inverts the social humiliation experienced by Jewish Christians at the hands of the synagogue establishment. The 'synagogue of Satan' language is not a general anti-Jewish polemic but a specific intra-Jewish dispute over who authentically constitutes God's people in the light of the Messiah's coming. The reversal imagery — opponents bowing before the despised community — echoes Isaiah 45:14 and 60:14, where Gentile nations bow before Israel, now applied to the vindication of the messianic community. The letter promises that those who have faithfully kept Christ's word of endurance will be publicly vindicated by the God who loves them.
Other Translations
Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
lo, I make of the synagogue of the Adversary those saying themselves to be Jews, and are not, but do lie; lo, I will make them that they may come and bow before thy feet, and may know that I loved thee.
See, I will make those of the Synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews, and are not, but say what is false; I will make them come and give worship before your feet, and see my love for you.
Cross References
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