Revelation 2:27
New International Version
that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’ —just as I have received authority from my Father.

New Living Translation
They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.

English Standard Version
and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.

Berean Standard Bible
He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father.

Berean Literal Bible
and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken in pieces--just as I also have received from My Father.

King James Bible
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

New King James Version
‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father;

New American Standard Bible
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE SHATTERED, as I also have received authority from My Father;

NASB 1995
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father;

NASB 1977
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father;

Legacy Standard Bible
AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE VESSELS OF THE POTTER ARE BROKEN TO PIECES, as I also have received authority from My Father;

Amplified Bible
AND HE SHALL SHEPHERD and RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON, AS THE EARTHEN POTS ARE BROKEN IN PIECES, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father;

Christian Standard Bible
and he will rule them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery —

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and he will shepherd them with an iron scepter; he will shatter them like pottery — just as I have received this from My Father.

American Standard Version
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father:

English Revised Version
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Those people will rule the nations with iron scepters and shatter them like pottery.

International Standard Version
He will rule them with an iron scepter; shattering them like clay pots.'

Majority Standard Bible
He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery—just as I have received authority from My Father.

NET Bible
he will rule them with an iron rod and like clay jars he will break them to pieces,

New Heart English Bible
He will rule them with an iron scepter, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father:

Webster's Bible Translation
(And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers:) even as I received of my Father.

Weymouth New Testament
And he shall be their shepherd, ruling them with a rod of iron, just as earthenware jars are broken to pieces; and his power over them shall be like that which I Myself have received from My Father;

World English Bible
He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots, as I also have received of my Father;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he will rule them with a rod of iron—they will be broken as the vessels of the potter—as I have also received from My Father;

Berean Literal Bible
and he will shepherd them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken in pieces--just as I also have received from My Father.

Young's Literal Translation
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron -- as the vessels of the potter they shall be broken -- as I also have received from my Father;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will rule them with an iron rod; as vessels of earthen-ware shall they be rubbed together: as I also have received of my Father.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he shall rule them with a rod of iron, and as the vessel of a potter they shall be broken,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he shall rule them with an iron rod, and they shall be broken like the earthenware of a potter.

New American Bible
He will rule them with an iron rod. Like clay vessels will they be smashed,

New Revised Standard Version
to rule them with an iron rod, as when clay pots are shattered—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he shall shepherd them with a rod of iron; like the vessels of the potter, they shall be shattered: even as I was disciplined by my Father.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“To Shepherd them with a rod of iron, and like the vessels of a potter you shall shatter them, for in the same manner I have also received of my Father.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken in pieces, as I have received from my Father:

Godbey New Testament
and he will shepherdize them with an iron rod: as the potter's vessels are broken to pieces; as I have received of my Father:

Haweis New Testament
he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as a potter?s vessels they shall be broken in pieces, even as I have received authority from my Father:

Mace New Testament
he shall rule them with a rod of iron: as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers, according to the power I have received of my father.

Weymouth New Testament
And he shall be their shepherd, ruling them with a rod of iron, just as earthenware jars are broken to pieces; and his power over them shall be like that which I Myself have received from My Father;

Worrell New Testament
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of earthenware are broken in pieces, as I also have received from My Father;

Worsley New Testament
and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken in pieces; as I also have received of my Father;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
To the Church in Thyatira
26And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. 27 He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery— just as I have received authority from My Father. 28And I will give him the morning star.…

Cross References
Psalm 2:8-9
Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. / You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”

Revelation 12:5
And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Daniel 7:27
Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’

Isaiah 30:14
It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.”

Jeremiah 19:11
and you are to proclaim to them that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I will shatter this nation and this city, like one shatters a potter’s jar that can never again be repaired. They will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room to bury them.

Psalm 149:6-9
May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands, / to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, / to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with shackles of iron, ...

1 Corinthians 15:25
For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.

Hebrews 1:8-9
But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. / You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”

Isaiah 11:4
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

Micah 5:15
I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed Me.”

Zechariah 9:10
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

Psalm 110:1-2
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” / The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”

1 Corinthians 6:2-3
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.


Treasury of Scripture

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

he shall.

Revelation 12:5
And 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.

Revelation 19:15
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Psalm 2:8,9
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession…

even.

Matthew 11:27
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Luke 22:29
And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

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Authority Broken Clay Dash Earthen Earthenware Iron Jars Pieces Pots Potter Power Received Rod Rule Ruling Scepter Shattering Shepherd Shivers Vessels
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Authority Broken Clay Dash Earthen Earthenware Iron Jars Pieces Pots Potter Power Received Rod Rule Ruling Scepter Shattering Shepherd Shivers Vessels
Revelation 2
1. What is commanded to be written to the angels, that is, the ministers of the churches of Ephesus,
8. Smyrna,
12. Pergamos,
18. Thyatira, and what is commended and lacking in them.














He will rule them with an iron scepter
The phrase "He will rule" comes from the Greek word "ποιμανεῖ" (poimanei), which is often translated as "to shepherd" or "to tend." This word suggests a leadership style that is both authoritative and caring, akin to a shepherd guiding and protecting his flock. In the context of Revelation, this indicates Christ's sovereign authority over the nations, emphasizing His role as a just and righteous ruler. The imagery of shepherding also reflects the pastoral care and guidance that Christ provides to His followers, ensuring their spiritual well-being.

with an iron scepter
The "iron scepter" is a symbol of unyielding authority and strength. The Greek word "ῥάβδῳ" (rhabdō) refers to a rod or staff, often used by shepherds. However, the addition of "iron" (σιδηρᾷ, sidēra) transforms this into a symbol of power and invincibility. Iron, being a strong and durable metal, signifies the unbreakable and decisive nature of Christ's rule. This imagery is drawn from Psalm 2:9, where the Messiah is prophesied to break the rebellious nations with a rod of iron, underscoring the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the New Testament revelation.

and shatter them like pottery
The phrase "and shatter them" uses the Greek word "συντρίψει" (syntripsei), meaning to break or crush completely. This conveys the idea of total and irreversible destruction of those who oppose Christ's rule. The comparison to "pottery" (κεραμεῖα, kerameia) highlights the fragility and vulnerability of human power and rebellion against divine authority. Pottery, once broken, cannot be easily repaired, symbolizing the finality of Christ's judgment on the nations. This imagery serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of resisting God's sovereign will and the ultimate triumph of His kingdom.

Verse 27. - The verse is not a parenthesis. He shall rule them. Here; Revelation 12:5; and in Revelation 19:15, the LXX. rendering of Psalm 2:9 is adopted; ποιμανεῖς αὐτούς, "Thou shalt rule them," or more literally, "shalt shepherd them," instead of "shalt break them," which almost certainly is the meaning of the Hebrew. The Hebrew original, trhm without vowel points, may represent either tirhem or terohem; but the latter is required by what follows; "shalt dash them in pieces." Nevertheless, the gentler rendering better suits the requirements of these passages in the Apocalypse. The rule over the nations is to be strong, but it is to be loving also. To those who obey it, it will be a shepherding; only those who resist it will be dashed in pieces. Precisely the same expression is used in Revelation 7:17 of the Lamb shepherding his saints, and in John 21:16 in the charge to St. Peter to shepherd Christ's sheep. It is not easy to determine whether the "rod" (ῤἀβδοσ) is a king's sceptre, as in Hebrews 1:8, or a shepherd's staff, as m 1 Samuel 17:43; Micah 7:14; and Zechariah 11:7. As the vessels of pottery are broken to shivers. The future tense is a false reading; the insertion of "they" - "shall they be broken" - is a false rendering. Συντρίβειν, "to shatter," occurs in a literal sense in Mark 5:4 and John 19:36; and in a figurative sense in Luke 9:39 and Romans 16:20. As I also have received from my Father. The Greek is ὡς κἀγὼ εἴληφα, not καθὼς ἐγὼ ἔλαβον. He shall receive authority from me, as I also have received from my Father (comp. John 17:18; John 20:21; Luke 22:29; Acts 2:33).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
He will rule
ποιμανεῖ (poimanei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4165: To shepherd, tend, herd; hence: I rule, govern. From poimen; to tend as a shepherd of.

them
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

an iron
σιδηρᾷ (sidēra)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4603: Made of iron. From sideros; made of iron.

scepter
ῥάβδῳ (rhabdō)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4464: A rod, staff, staff of authority, scepter. From the base of rhapizo; a stick or wand.

[and] shatter [them]
συντρίβεται (syntribetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4937: From sun and the base of tribos; to crush completely, i.e. To shatter.

like
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

pottery—
κεραμικὰ (keramika)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2764: Of clay, made by a potter, earthen. From keramos; made of clay, i.e. Earthen.

just as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

I
κἀγὼ (kagō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2504: To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.

have received [authority]
εἴληφα (eilēpha)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

from
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Father.
Πατρός (Patros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 2:27 He will rule them with a rod (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
Revelation 2:26
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