I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
I know thy works. So B; but 'Aleph (') A C, Vulgate, Coptic, omit. Satan's seat - rather, all through Revelation, "throne." Satan, in impious mimicry of God's heavenly throne, sets up his earthly throne (Revelation 4:2). Esculapius was worshipped there under the serpent form. Satan, the old servant, as instigator (cf. Revelation 2:10) of devotees of Esculapius, and, through them, of the supreme magistracy at Pergamos, persecuted one of the Lord's people (Antipas) to death. This address is an anticipatory preface to Revelation 12:1-17, notes.
Even in those days. So A C; but 'Aleph (') B omit "even."
Wherein. So B; but 'Aleph (') A C, Vulgate, Coptic, omit: then translate, 'in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness.' So 'Aleph (') B; but A C read, 'My witness, MY faithful one.' Another form for Antipater. Simeon Metaphrastes has a legendary story, that Antipas, in Domitian's persecution, was shut up in a redhot brazen bull, and ended his life in thanksgivings and prayers. Hengstenberg makes the name symbolical, meaning one standing out 'against all' for Christ.