Revelation of John 9:20
Repented not ( ου μετενοησαν ). First aorist active indicative of μετανοεω. The two-thirds of mankind still spared did not change their creed or their conduct.Of the works ( εκ των εργων ). For this use of εκ after μετανοεω see 2:21; 9:21; 16:11. By "works" ( εργων ) here idolatries are meant, as the next verse shows.
That they should not worship ( ινα μη προσκυνησουσιν ). Negative purpose clause with ινα μη and the future active of προσκυνεω as in 9:5.
Devils ( τα δαιμονια ). Both in the O.T. (De 32:17; Ps 96:5; 106:37) and in the N.T. (1Co 10:21) the worship of idols is called the worship of unclean spirits. Perhaps this is one explanation of the hideous faces given these images. "The idols" ( τα ειδωλα 1Jo 5:21, from ειδος, form, appearance) represented "demons," whether made of gold ( τα χρυσα ) or of silver ( τα αργυρα ) or of brass ( τα χαλκα ) or of stone ( τα λιθινα ) or of wood ( τα ξυλινα ). See Da 5:23 for this picture of heathen idols. The helplessness of these idols, "which can neither see nor hear nor walk" ( α ουτε βλεπειν δυναντα ουτε ακουειν ουτε περιπατειν ), is often presented in the O.T. (Ps 113:12ff.; 115:4).
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