Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent, [1886], at sacred-texts.com
Revelation Chapter 20
Of the bottomless pit
See on Rev 9:1. This is to be distinguished from the lake of fire. Compare Rev 20:10.
Chain (ἅλυσιν)
See on Mar 5:4. Only here in John's writings.
In his hand (ἐπί)
Lit., upon: resting on or hanging upon.
He laid hold (ἐκράτησεν)
See on Mar 8:3; see on Act 3:11.
The dragon (τὸν δράκοντα)
See on Rev 12:3. The word is commonly derived from ἔδρακον, the second aorist tense of δέρκομαι to see clearly, in allusion to the sharp sight of the fabled dragon.
Old (ἀρχαῖον)
See on Jo1 2:7.
The Devil
Note the three epithets: the Old Serpent, the Devil, Satan. See on Mat 4:1; see on Luk 10:18.
Sealed
See on Joh 3:33.
Must (δεῖ)
According to God's purpose. See on Mat 16:21; see on Luk 2:49; see on Luk 24:26.
Thrones
See on Rev 2:13.
They sat
All the faithful members of Christ's Church. Compare they reigned with Christ.
Beheaded (πεπελεκισμένων)
From πέλεκυς an ax. Only here in the New Testament.
They lived
Equivalent to lived again. Compare Rev 20:5.
Lived - again (ἀνέζησαν)
Read ἔζησαν lived, as in Rev 20:4
Hath part (ἔχων μέρος)
A phrase peculiar to John as referring to a person. Compare Joh 13:8.
Second death
See on Rev 2:11.
Gog and Magog
See Ezekiel 38, 39. Compare Gen 10:2. where Magog appears as a son of Japhet. Magog is a general name for the northern nations, and, according to Ezekiel, Gog is their prince. Josephus says that the descendants of Magog were the Scythians.
On the breadth (ἐπὶ τὸ πλάτος)
Lit., over (ἐπί). As distinguished from the "four corners" of Rev 20:8. They overspread the earth.
The camp (τὴν παρεμβολὴν)
See on castle, Act 21:34. Encompassing and defending the city. Compare Psa 78:7.
The beloved city
Compare Psa 78:68.
From God
Omit.
Before God
Read θρόνου throne for Θεοῦ God. So Rev., before the throne.
The books (βιβλία)
No article. Read books. Compare Dan 7:10.
Book of life
See on Rev 3:5.
The sea
As commonly understood, the sea means the literal sea, and the passage signifies that the dead contained in it shall rise. So Alford. Other interpreters, however, say that it cannot mean the literal sea. Thus Milligan argues that the symbols of the Apocalypse must always be interpreted in the same way. "Symbols," he says, "are a form of speech, and therefore subject to the rules that regulate the interpretation of all speech... The power of that convention which links a certain sense to a certain sound in ordinary terms, is not less binding in the presence than in the absence of metaphor of any kind whatever. Thus when we read in the Apocalypse of 'the sea' as an emblem of the troubled and sinful nations of the earth, we are bound, unless forbidden by the context, to carry that interpretation through, and to understand the sea of the troubled and sinful world."
Hell (ὁ ᾅδης)
Rev., Hades. See on Mat 16:18.
This is the second death
Add even the lake of fire.
And whosoever (εἴ τις)
Lit., if any. So Rev.