Why “Synagogue of Satan” Is an Antisemitic Falsehood

The phrase “synagogue of Satan” has become a recurring slogan in contemporary antisemitic discourse. It appears frequently in conspiracy forums, extremist propaganda, and online rhetoric that seeks to portray Jews as inherently evil, deceptive, or illegitimate. Although the expression originates in the Christian New Testament, its modern usage bears little resemblance to its historical or textual meaning. Instead, it represents a severe distortion that draws on centuries of anti Jewish prejudice and conspiracy thinking.

The expression appears twice in the Book of Revelation, in chapters 2 and 3. These passages were written in the late first century, a period marked by intense social, political, and religious tension within the Roman Empire. Early Christian communities were small, vulnerable, and often in conflict with surrounding groups. Revelation itself belongs to the genre of apocalyptic literature, a highly symbolic and polemical form of writing that relies on metaphor, exaggeration, and cosmic imagery rather than literal description.

In this context, the phrase does not describe Jews as a people, nor Judaism as a religion. The Greek word translated as “synagogue” simply means an assembly or gathering. The author is addressing specific local conflicts in particular cities, likely involving disputes over communal authority, legal protection, or religious legitimacy. Many scholars emphasize that the author of Revelation was himself Jewish or deeply rooted in Jewish tradition. The language reflects an internal dispute during a period when boundaries between Jewish and emerging Christian identities were still fluid and contested.

The modern claim that “synagogue of Satan” refers to all Jews, or to contemporary Jewish institutions, ignores this historical reality. It removes the phrase from its literary genre, its historical moment, and its intended audience. This kind of reading is not interpretation but projection. It retrofits an ancient polemic into a timeless accusation and transforms a specific first century conflict into a blanket condemnation of an entire people.

This distortion did not arise in a vacuum. Throughout Christian history, selective readings of the New Testament have been used to justify hostility toward Jews. Over time, theological disagreements hardened into social and political exclusion. Jews were portrayed as Christ killers, spiritual deceivers, or agents of evil. Language associating Jews with Satan became a powerful rhetorical tool, reinforcing fear and moral panic. These ideas contributed directly to discrimination, violence, and persecution across Europe for centuries.

In the modern era, the phrase has been revived and amplified by extremist ideologies. White supremacist movements, Christian Identity groups, and certain conspiracy driven subcultures openly use “synagogue of Satan” to claim that Jews secretly control governments, media, or financial systems. In this context, the phrase functions not as a religious metaphor but as a dehumanizing label. It casts Jews as inherently malevolent and frames antisemitism as moral or spiritual resistance.

From a logical standpoint, the claim collapses under scrutiny. It relies on sweeping generalization, attributing collective guilt and intent to millions of people across cultures, countries, and centuries. It assumes secret coordination without evidence and dismisses all counterarguments as part of the alleged conspiracy. These are classic features of conspiratorial thinking, not reasoned analysis.

From a scholarly standpoint, the claim is equally indefensible. Biblical scholars across denominations agree that Revelation’s language cannot be read as an ethnic or racial judgment. Historians of antisemitism document how phrases like this are repeatedly stripped of context and reused whenever societies seek a scapegoat for social anxiety or political instability. Researchers in extremism studies show that such language is not neutral theology but a marker of radicalization and hate based ideology.

It is also morally indefensible. Labeling any group as satanic denies their humanity and legitimizes harm against them. History shows that ideas precede actions. When Jews are portrayed as embodiments of evil, violence becomes easier to justify. The modern use of this phrase is therefore not merely offensive but dangerous.

None of this requires rejecting the New Testament or denying religious differences. It requires intellectual honesty and ethical responsibility. Sacred texts demand careful interpretation, not weaponization. When verses are used to incite hatred rather than understanding, they are being abused, not honored.

The persistence of the “synagogue of Satan” myth reveals more about those who promote it than about Jews themselves. It reflects fear, resentment, and an unwillingness to confront complexity. In a world with abundant historical research, accessible scholarship, and firsthand knowledge of Jewish life and diversity, the continued appeal of such a crude and harmful idea is deeply troubling.

Which leaves an unavoidable question. How is it that, despite overwhelming evidence and centuries of painful consequences, some people still choose to believe and repeat such dark and foolish falsehoods?

Sources and Further Reading

Dentice, Dianne. The Synagogue of Satan: A Case Study in Anti-Semitism. Journal of Psychology Research, 2018.
Frankfurter, Daniel. Jews or Not? Reconstructing the “Other” in Revelation 2:9 and 3:9. Harvard Theological Review.

The Cambridge Companion to Antisemitism. Cambridge University Press, 2022. Chapter on New Testament origins of Christian anti-Judaism.

Bible Odyssey. Is the New Testament Anti-Jewish?

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. Antisemitism: An Overview.