13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
13 When the Dragon saw he'd been thrown to earth, he went after the Woman who had given birth to the Man-Child.
13 Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.
13 When the dragon realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Revelation 12:13
Commentary on Revelation 12:12-17
(Read Revelation 12:12-17)
The church and all her friends might well be called to praise God for deliverance from pagan persecution, though other troubles awaited her. The wilderness is a desolate place, and full of serpents and scorpions, uncomfortable and destitute of provisions; yet a place of safety, as well as where one might be alone. But being thus retired could not protect the woman. The flood of water is explained by many to mean the invasions of barbarians, by which the western empire was overwhelmed; for the heathen encouraged their attacks, in the hope of destroying Christianity. But ungodly men, for their worldly interests, protected the church amidst these tumults, and the overthrow of the empire did not help the cause of idolatry. Or, this may be meant of a flood of error, by which the church of God was in danger of being overwhelmed and carried away. The devil, defeated in his designs upon the church, turns his rage against persons and places. Being faithful to God and Christ, in doctrine, worship, and practice, exposes to the rage of Satan; and will do so till the last enemy shall be destroyed.