What is the synagogue of Satan in Revelation?

Response

The reference to the synagogue of Satan appears twice in the book of Revelation. It is mentioned in Jesus’ message to the church in Smyrna and also to the church in Philadelphia. In both instances, the synagogue of Satan is depicted as being in opposition to the mission and teachings of the church.

In his letter to the church in Smyrna, Jesus acknowledges, “I know about your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I am aware of the slander from those who claim to be Jews but are not, instead belonging to the synagogue of Satan” «I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. », (Revelation 2:9).

Addressing the church in Philadelphia, Jesus declares, “I will make those who are part of the synagogue of Satan, who falsely claim to be Jews, but are actually deceivers—bow down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you” «Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. », (Revelation 3:9).

In essence, the synagogue of Satan referred to unbelieving Jews who persecuted Christians. These groups were responsible for slandering the church in Smyrna and opposing the church in Philadelphia in various ways.

The primary source of persecution faced by the early Christian church originated from the Jewish community. Even the Roman persecution was often an attempt to satisfy Jewish leaders. This is evident in Pilate’s sentencing of Jesus (John 19:1-16) and Paul’s imprisonment by the Roman governors Felix «But after two y

When Porcius Festus arrived in Felix’s room, Felix, wanting to please the Jews, kept Paul imprisoned.”, (Acts 24:27) Festus stated, “I replied that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.”, (Acts 25:16). This practice was consistent across the Roman Empire in the first century. While Christians were viewed as a Jewish sect, they were exempt from certain Roman religious requirements. However, once Christians were expelled from synagogues and opposed by Jewish leaders, Rome no longer granted them these exemptions. Consequently, Christians outside the synagogue’s protection became vulnerable to Roman persecution.

The group known as the synagogue of Satan claims to be Jews (God’s chosen people) but persecutes those who believe in Jesus the Messiah (the true people of God). In reality, by rejecting the Jewish Messiah, they have forfeited their status as “true” Jews, which is why Jesus refers to them as “liars.” This distinction between ethnic Jews and faithful Jews is also evident in Romans 9:6 (“Not all who are descended from Israel are Israel”) and Romans 2:28–29 (“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code”). Through their persecution of the true people of God, these unbelieving Jews have become a synagogue of Satan—a group following the devil’s agenda.

Both churches are assured victory over the synagogue of Satan. This pledge reflects Isaiah 60:14: “The children of your oppressors shall come bowing before you.”

Will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet.” In the context of Isaiah 60, an oppressed Jerusalem will be vindicated. Those who oppress her will bow down at her feet and will have to admit that she is indeed blessed by God, and—in the language of Revelation 3:9—that God loves her. But Isaiah 60:14 applied to these Jews and the Church is something of a reversal. In Isaiah 60, the oppressing Gentiles will bow down at the feet of Jews and admit that God loves them. In Revelation 2—3, oppressing Jews will bow down at the feet of the persecuted Church (with a significant population of Gentiles in it) and admit that God loves them. This is a striking role reversal.

Internet searches of “synagogue of Satan” produce quite a few links to sites that claim the “synagogue of Satan” refers to the Jewish people today and that promote all kinds of conspiracy theories about how the Jews run the world. Quite frankly, this is a misinterpretation and misapplication of the verses in Revelation. The synagogue of Satan refers to specific Jewish communities in Smyrna and Philadelphia that were persecuting the church, not to any modern situation. Likewise, no modern situation should be used as an interpretive tool to explain a passage firmly rooted in the first-century Roman world.