Revelation 12
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedJohn sees "a woman clothed with the sun," about to give birth, and "a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns," waiting to devour her child, but she brings forth "a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron," and the child is "caught up unto God, and to his throne." There is "war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon," and "the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world." The saints "overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony," and the dragon, knowing "he hath but a short time," makes war "with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:1Revelation 12:3Revelation 12:4Revelation 12:5Revelation 12:7Revelation 12:9Revelation 12:11Revelation 12:12Revelation 12:17
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
The woman, the man child, the dragon (named "the Devil, and Satan"), Michael and his angels, and the remnant of the woman's seed. Revelation 12:1Revelation 12:5Revelation 12:7Revelation 12:9Revelation 12:17
Where
The scenes move between heaven, the wilderness where the woman flees, and the earth. Revelation 12:1Revelation 12:6Revelation 12:7Revelation 12:13
When
Traditionally about AD 95-96, near the end of the emperor Domitian's reign. Most scholars agree; some date it about AD 68-69, soon after Nero's death. Revelation overview
How it fits
Chapter 11 ended with the ark of God's testament seen in heaven. Chapter 13 continues, "I... saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns." Revelation 11:19Revelation 12:17Revelation 13:1
Key verses
- Verse 9
The text names the dragon: "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world." Genesis 3:15 foretold enmity between the serpent and the woman's seed. Revelation 12:9Genesis 3:15
- Verse 11
"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Revelation 12:11
- Verse 17
The dragon makes war with those "which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 12:17
Takeaway
Satan is a defeated enemy; believers overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by holding to their testimony. Revelation 12:9Revelation 12:11
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.
The woman and the dragon
1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
War in heaven
7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 12Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
The dragon pursues the woman
13And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.