Revelation 13:15-16; A Mark in their Right Hand or in Their Foreheads

Revelation 13:15-16 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 

The explanations for this word “mark” range from slaves being branded to people placing a tattoo on their right hand or forehead. History is replete with accounts of slaves, soldiers, or zealots being branded or tattooed.

The verse, however, specifies that the purpose for bearing the mark of the beast is to be able to buy or sell merchandise, and that includes a much broader category than a small segment of the population. Some scholars put the sentence in the historical context of Caesar worship, so that only those people who had received an ink mark on either their wrist or forehead might enter the marketplace. The difficulty with this interpretation is that Roman historians report nothing concerning such a practice in the empire.

If we understand John to write not for a particular moment in time as he reflects on a local incident, but for the universal church of all ages and places, then we need to interpret this verse more broadly. First, let us notice that the word mark appears a number of times in Revelation. John mentions it in 14:9, “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand” (see also 19:20; 20:4).

Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 

And in 14:11 he writes of “whosoever receiveth the mark of his name” Therefore, having the mark of the beast leads to acts of worship and the bearing of his name. It designates a person as a devotee and true follower of the beast. It indicates a person who is hostile to God, his Word, and his people; he or she bears the mark of the Antichrist on the right hand or forehead.

Next, the symbol of the right hand means friendship and fellowship (Gal. 2:9); it is a sign of working together in a common cause, namely, to oppose God.

Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 

The mark on the forehead implies that these people are influenced by the same philosophy and thought patterns. In their anti-Christian thinking, they glorify the beast and his achievements and attempt to destroy the work of Christ on earth.

As the devotees of the Antichrist have the mark of the beast on their forehead or right hand, so the servants of God have received the seal of the Lord and the name of both the Father and the Lamb on their foreheads (Revelation 7:3; 14:1).

Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 

Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 

 Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Book of Revelation (Vol. 20, p. 393). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.