Discovery BoxRevelation 2:20-24 
Context2:20 But I have this against you: You tolerate that 1 woman 2 Jezebel, 3 who calls herself a prophetess, and by her teaching deceives 4 my servants 5 to commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. 6 2:21 I 7 have given her time to repent, but 8 she is not willing to repent of her sexual immorality. 2:22 Look! I am throwing her onto a bed of violent illness, 9 and those who commit adultery with her into terrible suffering, 10 unless they repent of her deeds. 2:23 Furthermore, I will strike her followers 11 with a deadly disease, 12 and then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will repay 13 each one of you 14 what your deeds deserve. 15 2:24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, all who do not hold to this teaching 16 (who have not learned the so-called “deep secrets 17 of Satan”), to you I say: I do not put any additional burden on you.
1 tn The Greek article has been translated here with demonstrative force.
2 tc The ms evidence for γυναῖκα (gunaika, “woman”) alone includes {א C P 1611 2053 pc lat}. The ms evidence for the addition of “your” (σου, sou) includes A 1006 2351 ÏK pc sy. With the pronoun, the text reads “your wife, Jezebel” instead of “that woman, Jezebel.” In Revelation, A C are the most important
3 sn Jezebel was the name of King Ahab’s idolatrous and wicked queen in 1 Kgs 16:31; 18:1-5; 19:1-3; 21:5-24. It is probable that the individual named here was analogous to her prototype in idolatry and immoral behavior, since those are the items singled out for mention.
4 tn Grk “teaches and deceives” (διδάσκει καὶ πλανᾷ, didaskei kai plana), a construction in which the first verb appears to specify the means by which the second is accomplished: “by her teaching, deceives…”
5 tn See the note on the word “servants” in 1:1.
6 sn To commit sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. Note the conclusions of the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:29, which specifically prohibits Gentile Christians from engaging in these activities.
7 tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and contemporary English style.
8 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to bring out the contrast present in this woman’s obstinate refusal to repent.
9 tn Grk “onto a bed,” in this context an idiom for severe illness (L&N 23.152).
10 tn Or “into great distress.” The suffering here is not specified as physical or emotional, and could involve persecution.
11 tn Grk “her children,” but in this context a reference to this woman’s followers or disciples is more likely meant.
12 tn Grk “I will kill with death.” θάνατος (qanatos) can in particular contexts refer to a manner of death, specifically a contagious disease (see BDAG 443 s.v. 3; L&N 23.158).
13 tn Grk “I will give.” The sense of δίδωμι (didwmi) in this context is more “repay” than “give.”
14 sn This pronoun and the following one are plural in the Greek text.
15 tn Grk “each one of you according to your works.”
16 sn That is, the teaching of Jezebel (v. 20).
17 tn Grk “deep things.” For the translation “deep secrets” see L&N 28.76; cf. NAB, NIV, CEV.
