The beast’s intent was to give a mark to every person on the planet. This beast itself comes from the earth and now wants his compatriots on planet Earth to bear a mark demonstrating a permanent bond between these people and the beast. The list of people mentioned is comprehensive, leaving out no one, whether “small and great,” or whatever social or economic standing, whether “rich and poor,” “free and slave”—and thus everyone in between.
16 Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead,