Revelation17
New American Standard
1Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who sits on many waters,
2with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of sexual immorality, and those who live on the earth became drunk with the wine of her sexual immorality.”
3And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.
4The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls, holding in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her sexual immorality,
5and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery: “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.”
6And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly.
7And the angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.
8“The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who live on the earth, whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast, that he was, and is not, and will come.
9Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains upon which the woman sits,
10and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while.
11The beast which was, and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction.
12The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour.
13These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.
14These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”
15And he said to me, “The waters which you saw where the prostitute sits are peoples and multitudes, and nations and languages.
16And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire.
17For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.
18The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Revelation 17.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: One of the angels who had the vials, explains the meaning of the former vision of the antichristian beast that was to reign 1260 years, and then to be destroyed. (1–6). And interprets the mystery of the woman, and the beast that had seven heads and ten horns. (7–18).
vv1-6
Rome clearly appears to be meant in this chapter. Pagan Rome subdued and ruled with military power, not by art and flatteries. She left the nations in general to their ancient usages and worship. But it is well known that by crafty and politic management, with all kinds of deceit of unrighteousness, papal Rome has obtained and kept her rule over kings and nations. Here were allurements of worldly honour and riches, pomp and pride, suited to sensual and worldly minds. Prosperity, pomp, and splendour, feed the pride and lusts of the human heart, but are no security against the Divine vengeance. The golden cup represents the allurements, and delusions, by which this mystical Babylon has obtained and kept her influence, and seduced others to join her abominations. She is named, from her infamous practices, a mother of harlots; training them up to idolatry and all sorts of wickedness. She filled herself with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. She intoxicated herself with it; and it was so pleasant to her, that she never was satisfied. We cannot but wonder at the oceans of Christian blood shed by men called Christians; yet when we consider these prophecies, these awful deeds testify to the truth of the gospel. And let all beware of a splendid, gainful, or fashionable religion. Let us avoid the mysteries of iniquity, and study diligently the great mystery of godliness, that we may learn humility and gratitude from the example of Christ. The more we seek to resemble him, the less we shall be liable to be deceived by antichrist.
vv7-14
The beast on which the woman sat was, and is not, and yet is. It was a seat of idolatry and persecution, and is not; not in the ancient form, which was pagan: yet it is; it is truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another sort and form. It would deceive into stupid and blind submission all the inhabitants of the earth within its influence, except the remnant of the elect. This beast was seven heads, seven mountains, the seven hills on which Rome stands; and seven kings, seven sorts of government. Five were gone by when this prophecy was written; one was then in being; the other was yet to come. This beast, directed by the papacy, makes an eighth governor, and sets up idolatry again. It had ten horns, which are said to be ten kings who had as yet no kingdoms; they should not rise up till the Roman empire was broken; but should for a time be very zealous in her interest. Christ must reign till all enemies be put under his feet. The reason of the victory is, that he is the King of kings, and Lord of lords. He has supreme dominion and power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to his control. His followers are called to this warfare, are fitted for it, and will be faithful in it.
vv15-18
God so ruled the hearts of these kings, by his power over them, and by his providence, that they did those things, without intending it, which he purposed and foretold. They shall see their folly, and how they have been bewitched and enslaved by the harlot, and be made instruments in her destruction. She was that great city which reigned over the kings of the earth, when John had this vision; and every one knows Rome to be that city. Believers will be received to the glory of the Lord, when wicked men will be destroyed in a most awful manner; their joining together in sin, will be turned to hatred and rage, and they will eagerly assist in tormenting each other. But the Lord's portion is his people; his counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure, to his glory, and the happiness of all his servants.
Key Words
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἷς (heîs): one
ἐκ (ek): literal or figurative; direct or remote)
ἑπτά (heptá): seven
ἄγγελος (ángelos): compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
ὁ (ho): the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
ἔχω (échō): to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or condition)
φιάλη (phiálē): a broad shallow cup ("phial")
ἔρχομαι (érchomai): to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
μετά (metá): properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between G575 (ἀπό) or G1537 (ἐκ) and G1519 (εἰς) or G4314 (πρός); less intimate than G1722 (ἐν) and less close than G4862 (σύν))
Cross References
Revelation 17Old Testament source for Babylon "sitting upon many waters," which represents many nations.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Old Testament source of Babylon making the earth drunk with the wine of her cup.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct parallel describing the same beast with seven heads, ten horns, and blasphemous names.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Daniel's prophecy of the ten horns representing ten kings that shall arise.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identifies the beast's characteristics (seven heads, ten horns) with the red dragon.
Supported by JFB
Theological link between "Mystery, Babylon" and the Paul's "mystery of iniquity."
Supported by Matthew Henry
Identifies the blood-drinking harlot's association with the beastly, persecuting power.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Reiterates the city's guilt for the blood of saints, prophets, and martyrs.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The call for "wisdom" to understand the symbolic count and characteristics of the beast.
Supported by JFB
Parallel title for Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes the identical description of gold, pearls, purple, and scarlet in her ruin.
Supported by JFB
Danielic background of a blasphemous horn wearing out and persecuting the saints.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The beast ascending from the bottomless pit to wage war on God's witnesses.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the warning that those not written in the Book of Life will marvel.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Prophetic precedent for former lovers turning to strip, make naked, and destroy the harlot.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Desolation of Babylon by cruel, unmerciful nations aligned against her.
Supported by Matthew Poole