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.
Ver. 20. And the beast was taken] Taken suddenly, or as he was fleeing, and so thinking to escape. a Dio maketh mention of a notable thief that did much mischief in Italy (afterwards the pope's seat) in the days of Severus. This emperor used all the means he could to catch him, but could not do it, Quippe qui visus non videbutur, non inveniebatur inventus, deprehensus non capiebatur, saith the historian. But this subtle beast meeteth with his match and more; for he is caught and cast into the lake, &c. Christ is a conqueror so soon as ever he comes into the field, Venit, vidit, vicit. He came, he saw, he couquered. When the enemies are tumultuating, he comes upon them as out of an engine, and hurls them headlong into hell.
And with him the false prophet] This is the same with the beast; only the pope is called the beast in respect of his civil power, and the false prophet in respect of his spiritual. See Trapp on " Rev 13:12 " I remember, saith Aretius here, that many learned men in the year 1546 interpreted these words of the war that then was, and were confident that the emperor was the beast here mentioned, that should be overcome, and taken in battle by the Protestants; and together with him some false prophet of his (perhaps the pope), but it proved much otherwise, and the event showed that this application of the text was false.
" Fallitur augurio spes bona saepe suo. "
These both were cast alive] Death shall not end their misery, but they shall suffer most exquisite torments. Potentes potenter torquebuntur.
a επιασθη, proprie dicitur de iis quos fugientes arripimus. Beza.