‏ Revelation of John 2:13

 Where ( που--οπου ).  Που is interrogative adverb used here in an indirect question as in Joh 1:39.  Hοπου is relative adverb referring to  που. Satan's throne ( ο θρονος του Σατανα ). Satan not simply resided in Pergamum, but his "throne" or seat of power of king or judge (Mt 19:28; Lu 1:32, 52). The symbol of Asklepios was the serpent as it is of Satan (12:9; 20:2). There was, besides, a great throne altar to Zeus cut on the Acropolis rock, symbol of "rampant paganism" (Swete) and the new Caesar-worship with the recent martyrdom of Antipas made Pergamum indeed a very throne of Satan.

 Holdest fast my name ( κρατεις το ονομα σου ). Present active indicative of  κρατεω, "dost keep on holding," as in 2:25, 3:11. This church refused to say  Κυριος Καισαρ (Martyrd. Polyc. 8f.) and continued to say  Κυριος Ιησους (1Co 12:3). They stood true against the emperor-worship.

 Didst not deny ( ουκ ηρνησω ). First aorist middle second person singular of  αρνεομα. Reference to a specific incident not known to us.

 My faith ( την πιστιν μου ). Objective genitive, "thy faith in me."

 Of Antipas ( Αντιπας ). Indeclinable in this form. It is possible that  Αντιπα (genitive) was really written, though unimportant as the nominative follows in apposition. Nothing is really known of this early martyr in Pergamum before the writing of the Apocalypse. One legend is that he was burnt to death in a brazen bull. Other martyrs followed him at Pergamum (Agathonice, Attalus, Carpus, Polybus).

 My witness ( ο μαρτυς μου ). Nominative in apposition with a genitive as in 1:5 (with ablative), common solecism in the Apocalypse. "Witness" as Jesus had said they should be (Ac 1:8) and Stephen was (Ac 22:20) and others were (Re 17:6). The word later (by third century) took on the modern meaning of martyr.

 My faithful one ( ο πιστος μου ). Nominative also, with  μου also. Jesus gives Antipas his own title (Swete) as in 1:5; 3:14. Faithful unto death.

 Was killed ( απεκτανθη ). First aorist passive indicative of  αποκτεινω, this passive form common in the Apocalypse (?2:13; 6:11; 5:9,13; 13:10,15; 18, 20; 19:21?).

 Among you ( παρ υμιν ). By your side. Proof of the throne of Satan, "where Satan dwells" ( οπου ο Σατανας κατοικε ), repeated for emphasis.

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