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Revelation 13 · a question people ask

"let him calculate the number of the beast" (13:18). What is the number of the beast?

In the text

Here is what the verse says: "Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six." (13:18). It opens with "Here is wisdom". It calls on the one "who has understanding" to "calculate the number of the beast". It gives the reason, "for it is the number of a man". And it gives the number: "six hundred sixty-six". The verse before has already joined the number to the mark: "that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name" (13:17). These notes calculate nothing from the number, give no letter or name any value, set the number beside nothing, and say no more of it than these two verses.

The verses

“and that no one would be able to buy or to sell unless he has that mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.”
Revelation 13:17 · World English Bible
“Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.”
Revelation 13:18 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Revelation 13

Revelation 13: Out of the sea, out of the earth

"The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority" (13:2). And of the mouth speaking great things and the authority to make war, 13:5 says each "was given to him".

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Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions