King James Version
Revelation 18
24 verses with commentary
The Fall of Babylon
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalypti...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **And after these things . . .**—Or, better, *After these things* (omit “and”) *I saw another angel coming down, having great power* (or, *authority*—entrusted to him for the work against Babylon); *and the earth was illumined by* (literally, *out of*)* his glory.* The light which shines from the heavenly messenger shines like day upon the tawdry splendour of Babylon, and shows that what was a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**8. Smyrna--**in Ionia, a little to the north of Ephesus. Polycarp, martyred in A.D. 168, eighty-six years after his conversion, was bishop, and probably "the angel of the Church in Smyrna" meant here. The allusions to persecutions and faithfulness unto death accord with this view. Ignatius [The Martyrdom of Ignatius 3], on his way to martyrdom in Rome, wrote to Polycarp, then (A.D. 108) bishop o...
Read full commentary →And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and ha...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testame...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **And he cried . . .**—We must omit “mightily,” and render, *And he cried in a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become an habitation of demons, and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hated bird.* Those who walk in darkness, and whose eyes the god of this world hath blinded through their lusts, look only on the material side, upo...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. thy works, and--**omitted in two oldest manuscripts, Vulgate, and Coptic. Supported by one oldest manuscript.
**tribulation--**owing to persecution.
**poverty--**owing to "the spoiling of their goods."
**but thou art rich--**in grace. Contrast Laodicea, rich in the world's eyes and her own, poor before God. "There are both poor rich-men, and rich poor-men in God's sight" [Trench].
**b...
Read full commentary →For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. abundance: or, power
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abunda...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testame...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **For all nations have drunk . . .**—Better, *Because by the wrath of her fornication* (comp. Revelation 14:8, and Note there) *all the nations have drunk* (or, according to another reading, *have fallen;* the readings are akin: the drinking of it leads to their degradation and fall), *and the kings of the earth committed* (not “have committed”) *fornication with her, and the merchants of the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10. Fear none, &c.--**the oldest manuscripts read, "Fear not those things," &c. "The Captain of our salvation never keeps back what those who faithfully witness for Him may have to bear for His name's sake; never entices recruits by the promise they shall find all things easy and pleasant there" [Trench].
**devil--**"the accuser." He acted, through Jewish accusers against Christ and Hi...
Read full commentary →And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
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<strong>And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek tex...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4-20) The voice out of heaven warns the faithful to leave her, and describes her fall.
(4) **Voice from heaven . . .**—Read, *Voice out of heaven, saying, Come forth out of her, my people, that ye partake not in her sins, and that of her plagues ye receive not.* The voice is not said to be that of another angel. It is not necessary to say whose voice it is; that it is a voice of divine love givin...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. shall not be hurt--**Greek, "shall not by any means (or possibly) be hurt."
**the second death--**"the lake of fire." "The death in life of the lost, as contrasted with the life in death of the saved" [Trench]. The phrase "the second death" is peculiar to the Apocalypse. What matter about the first death, which sooner or later must pass over us, if we escape the second death? "It seems tha...
Read full commentary →For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish prophetic liter...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **For her sins have reached . . .**—Better, *For her sins have reached as far as heaven.* The idea is of a great heap firmly fastened, and towering, like another Babel, as far as heaven. (Comp. 2Chronicles 28:9, and Ezra 9:6.) The idea is more than that of the cry of sin reaching heaven, as in the case of Sodom (Genesis 18:20-21); the sins themselves, many and imperial, have touched the face o...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
12. Trench prefers writing Pergamus, or rather, Pergamum, on the river Caicus. It was capital of Attalus the Second's kingdom, which was bequeathed by him to the Romans, 133 B.C. Famous for its library, founded by Eumenes (197-159), and destroyed by Caliph Omar. Parchment, that is, Pergamena charta, was here discovered for book purposes. Also famous for the magnificent temple of Æsculapius, the he...
Read full commentary →Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.
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KJV Study Commentary
The command 'Reward her even as she rewarded you' invokes lex talionis—just recompense (Psalm 137:8, Jeremiah 50:29). 'Double unto her double' emphasizes complete retribution, not mathematical exactness. This represents perfect justice—Babylon receives punishment proportionate to her sins. Reformed theology affirms that God's justice is both retributive (punishing sin) and restorative (vindicating...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Reward her even as she rewarded . . .**—The same voice which bids the people of God come forth, summons the agents of vengeance. Revelation 17:16 tells whence these may arise. Read, *Give back to her, as she herself also gave back* (the word “you” should be omitted; it is not the saints, or those who have suffered from her, that are called to repay her), *and double* (the) *double according ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13. I know thy works--**Two oldest manuscripts omit this clause; one oldest manuscript retains it.
**Satan's seat--**rather as the Greek is translated all through Revelation, "throne." Satan, in impious mimicry of God's heavenly throne, sets up his earthly throne (Re 4:2). Æsculapius was worshipped there under the serpent form; and Satan, the old serpent, as the instigator (compare Re 2:10) of...
Read full commentary →How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.
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KJV Study Commentary
Babylon's self-glorification and sensual living contrast her claim 'I sit a queen, and am no widow' with coming judgment. Her denial of widowhood represents presumed security and permanent prosperity. The boast 'shall see no sorrow' reveals pride and false confidence. This echoes Isaiah 47:7-9's judgment on historical Babylon. Reformed theology recognizes pride as the root sin—Babylon exalts herse...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) The thought of retribution is carried on in this verse. It should not read, “How much . . .,” but, *In as many things as she glorified herself and luxuriated, so much give to her torment and grief; because in her heart she saith* (comp. Psalm 49:11; Luke 14:30), *I sit a queen, and am not a widow, and shall never see sorrow.* The words are echoes of prophecies against old Babylon (Isaiah 47:7-...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**14. few--**in comparison of the many tokens of thy faithfulness.
**hold the doctrine of Balaam--**"the teaching of Balaam," namely, that which he "taught Balak." Compare "the counsel of Balaam," Nu 31:16. "Balak" is dative in the Greek, whence Bengel translates, "taught (the Moabites) for (that is, to please) Balak." But though in Numbers it is not expressly said he taught Balak, yet there is ...
Read full commentary →Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. T...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Therefore shall her plagues come . . .**—Read, *For this cause in one day shall come her plagues, death and mourning . . .* *and* with *fire shall she be burnt, for strong is the Lord God who judged her.* God, the mighty God, has passed sentence. She thought herself strong; she forgot the strength of the Almighty. Her plagues are four-fold, as though from every quarter her trouble came: “dea...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**15. thou--**emphatic: "So THOU also hast," As Balak and the Moabites of old had Balaam and his followers literally, so hast thou also them that hold the same Balaamite or Nicolaitane doctrine spiritually or symbolically. Literal eating of idol-meats and fornication in Pergamos were accompanied by spiritual idolatry and fornication. So Trench explains. But I prefer taking it, "THOU also," as well...
Read full commentary →Lament Over Babylon
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **And the kings of the earth. . . .**—Read, *And there shall weep and mourn over her the kings of the earth, who with her committed fornication and luxuriated, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing afar off because of the fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon the strong city; because in one hour is come thy judgment. Kings, *merchants (Revelation 18:11-17), ...
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16. The three oldest manuscripts read, "Repent, therefore." Not only the Nicolaitanes, but the whole Church of Pergamos is called on to repent of not having hated the Nicolaitane teaching and practice. Contrast Paul, Ac 20:26.
**I will come--**I am coming.
**fight against them--**Greek, "war with them"; with the Nicolaitanes primarily; but including also chastisement of the whole Church at Per...
Read full commentary →Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text use...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**17. to eat--**omitted in the three oldest manuscripts.
**the hidden manna--**the heavenly food of Israel, in contrast to the idol-meats (Re 2:14). A pot of manna was laid up in the holy place "before the testimony." The allusion is here to this: probably also to the Lord's discourse (Joh 6:31-35). Translate, "the manna which is hidden." As the manna hidden in the sanctuary was by divine power ...
Read full commentary →And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteris...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11-13) **And the merchants of the earth . . .**—Better, *The merchants of the earth weep and mourn* (not “shall weep;” the vividness of the description is intensified by the use of the present tense) *over her; because their cargo no one buyeth any longer*—the cargo of gold, &c. The list of the cargoes and merchandise is not without arrangement. The various goods are placed in groups. The *treasu...
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**18. Thyatira--**in Lydia, south of Pergamos. Lydia, the purple-seller of this city, having been converted at Philippi, a Macedonian city (with which Thyatira, as being a Macedonian colony, had naturally much intercourse), was probably the instrument of first carrying the Gospel to her native town. John follows the geographical order here, for Thyatira lay a little to the left of the road from Pe...
Read full commentary →The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, thyine: or, sweet
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KJV Study Commentary
The extensive catalog of luxury goods demonstrates Babylon's commercial empire and materialistic focus. Gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls represent wealth accumulation. Fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet indicate luxury clothing. The diverse merchandise shows comprehensive trade networks. Reformed theology warns against materialism—treasuring earthly wealth over eternal riches. The merc...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
19. The oldest manuscripts transpose the English Version order, and read, "faith and service." The four are subordinate to "thy works"; thus, "I know thy works, even the love and the faith (these two forming one pair, as 'faith works by love,' Ga 5:6), and the service (ministration to the suffering members of the Church, and to all in spiritual or temporal need), and the endurance of (that is, sho...
Read full commentary →And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. slaves: or, bodies
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KJV Study Commentary
The merchandise list concludes with 'slaves, and souls of men,' exposing Rome's dehumanization through slavery. The distinction between 'slaves' (Greek 'sōmatōn,' bodies) and 'souls of men' may emphasize the complete exploitation—not just bodies but personhood itself commodified. Reformed theology condemns treating image-bearers as property. This indictment reveals Babylon's moral bankruptcy—pursu...
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**20. a few things--**omitted in the three oldest manuscripts. Translate then, "I have against thee that," &c.
**sufferest--**The three oldest manuscripts read, "lettest alone."
**that woman--**Two oldest manuscripts read, "THY wife"; two omit it. Vulgate and most ancient versions read as English Version. The symbolical Jezebel was to the Church of Thyatira what Jezebel, Ahab's "wife," was...
Read full commentary →And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
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KJV Study Commentary
The address to Babylon's soul emphasizes personal culpability. The 'fruits that thy soul lusted after' represents insatiable appetite for luxury and pleasure. The departure of 'dainty and goodly things' indicates complete loss—not partial but total. The phrase 'thou shalt find them no more at all' emphasizes permanent loss, echoing prophetic judgments on Tyre (Ezekiel 27:36). Reformed theology war...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) Directly addressed to Babylon herself.
**And the fruits that thy soul . . .**—Rather, *And the fruits* (or, *the harvest*)* of the desire of thy soul* (that, namely, which thy soul lusteth after) *departed* (not “are departed:” the word expresses the thought that these things “departed once for all*”*)* from thee, and all things that are rich and that are glorious perish from thee, and thou s...
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**21. space--**Greek, "time."
**of her fornication ... she repented not--**The three oldest manuscripts read, "and she willeth not to repent of (literally, 'out of,' that is, so as to come out of) her fornication." Here there is a transition from literal to spiritual fornication, as appears from Re 2:22. The idea arose from Jehovah's covenant relation to the Old Testament Church being regarded a...
Read full commentary →The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,
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KJV Study Commentary
The merchants standing afar off for fear of her torment reveals self-preservation overcoming commercial loyalty. Their weeping and wailing demonstrates grief over financial loss, not moral conviction. The distance they maintain shows fear of sharing her judgment. Reformed theology recognizes that worldly relationships ultimately prove shallow—based on mutual benefit, not covenant love. The merchan...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(15-17) **The merchants of these things . . .**—The description is resumed. The merchants stand like the kings (see Revelation 18:10) afar off, because of the fear of her torment, saying, “Woe! woe! (or, alas! alas!) the great city, because in one hour so great wealth was desolated.” The words of this lamentation are parallel to the lament of the kings, the only difference is characteristic—they b...
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**22. Behold--**calling attention to her awful doom to come.
**I will--**Greek present, "I cast her."
**a bed--**The place of her sin shall be the place of her punishment. The bed of her sin shall be her bed of sickness and anguish. Perhaps a pestilence was about to be sent. Or the bed of the grave, and of the hell beyond, where the worm dieth not.
**them that commit adultery with her--**spi...
Read full commentary →And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
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KJV Study Commentary
The repeated catalog of luxury goods (fine linen, purple, scarlet, gold, precious stones, pearls) emphasizes the splendor now lost. The exclamation 'Alas, alas' (Greek 'ouai') pronounces woe over sudden reversal. The city's adorning represents self-glorification through material display. Reformed theology warns against finding identity in possessions or status symbols. The destruction of external ...
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**23. her children--**(Is 57:3; Eze 23:45, 47). Her proper adherents; not those who suffer her, but those who are begotten of her. A distinct class from the last in Re 2:22 (compare Note, see on Re 2:22), whose sin was less direct, being that only of connivance.
**kill ... with death--**Compare the disaster that overtook the literal Jezebel's votaries of Baal, and Ahab's sons, 1Ki 18:40; 2Ki 10:...
Read full commentary →For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,
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KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'in one hour' (repeated three times: vv. 10, 17, 19) emphasizes judgment's sudden swiftness despite long prosperity. Shipmasters, sailors, and all who trade by sea represent those depending on maritime commerce. Their standing afar off and crying demonstrates shock at rapid reversal. The 'great riches' becoming desolate warns against trusting uncertain wealth. Reformed theology emphasiz...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**THE LAMENT OF THE SHIPMASTERS** (Revelation 18:17-19).—On the whole passage read Ezekiel 27:32, &c.
(17, 18) **And every shipmaster. . . .**—Or, better, *And every shipmaster, and every one who sails for a place, and sailors, and all who work the sea, stood afar off, and cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, Who is like the great city?* With this expression compare the similar on...
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**24. you ... and ... the rest--**The three oldest manuscripts omit "and"; translate then, "Unto you, the rest."
**as many as have not--**not only do not hold, but are free from contact with.
**and which--**The oldest manuscripts omit "and"; translate, "whosoever."
**the depths--**These false prophets boasted peculiarly of their knowledge of mysteries and the deep things of God; pretensions ...
Read full commentary →And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!
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KJV Study Commentary
The rhetorical question 'What city is like unto this great city?' expresses astonishment at Babylon's fall. The question echoes Ezekiel 27:32's lament over Tyre, establishing prophetic continuity. The smoke of her burning provides visible evidence of judgment's reality. Their crying demonstrates genuine grief, though misdirected toward material loss rather than moral failing. The question's implic...
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**25. that which ye have already--**(Jude 3, end).
**hold fast--**do not let go from your grasp, however false teachers may wish to wrest it from you.
**till I come--**when your conflict with evil will be at an end. The Greek implies uncertainty as to when He shall come.
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hou...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testame...
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(19) **And they** **cast dust . . .**—Comp. Ezekiel 27:30. The casting of dust or earth on the head is a token of sorrow and humiliation; it bears relation to the sitting in the dust. The one upon whom the sorrow had fallen sat in the dust or ashes. The attitude expressed that he had been brought very low, even to the ground. The mourning friends who came round him cast dust on their heads to expr...
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**26. And--**implying the close connection of the promise to the conqueror that follows, with the preceding exhortation, Re 2:25.
**and keepeth--**Greek, "and he that keepeth." Compare the same word in the passage already alluded to by the Lord, Ac 15:28, 29, end.
**my works--**in contrast to "her (English Version, 'their') works" (Re 2:22). The works which I command and which are the fruit of...
Read full commentary →Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
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<strong>Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Je...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
THE CALL TO THE HOLY TO REJOICE.
(20) **Rejoice over her. . . .**—Better, *Rejoice over her, O heaven, and the saints, and the apostles, and the prophets, because God has judged your judgment on* (or, *out of*)* her.* The second portion of the chapter closes with this invitation to the saints to rejoice: they are summoned to rejoice because the law of retribution has worked on her. Your judgment (...
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27. From Psa 2:8, 9.
**rule--**literally, "rule as a shepherd." In Psa 2:9 it is, "Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron." The Septuagint, pointing the Hebrew word differently, read as Revelation here. The English Version of Psa 2:9 is doubtless right, as the parallel word, "dash in pieces," proves. But the Spirit in this case sanctions the additional thought as true, that the Lord shall ming...
Read full commentary →And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allus...
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THE IRREMEDIABLE OVERTHROW OF BABYLON SYMBOLICALLY DECLARED.
(21) **And a mighty angel . . .**—The taking up of the stone and casting it into the waters is a symbol drawn from Jeremiah (Jeremiah 51). Jeremiah enjoined Seraiah to bind the prophetic roll to a great stone, and cast them together into the Euphrates. The meaning of the act was explained—“Thus shall Babylon sink and shall not rise,” &c....
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**28. the morning star--**that is, I will give unto him Myself, who am "the morning star" (Re 22:16); so that reflecting My perfect brightness, he shall shine like Me, the morning star, and share My kingly glory (of which a star is the symbol, Nu 21:17; Mt 2:2). Compare Re 2:17, "I will give him ... the hidden manna," that is, Myself, who am that manna (Joh 6:31-33).
And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
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KJV Study Commentary
The silencing of musicians, craftsmen, and millstones represents complete cessation of cultural and economic life. Harps and music symbolize joy and celebration; their absence indicates mourning. Craftsmen represent productive labor and economic activity. The millstone's sound was daily life's rhythm; its silence means desolation. The phrase 'no more at all' appears repeatedly, emphasizing permane...
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(22, 23) **And the voice of harpers . . .**—Better, *the sound*, . . The sounds of mirth and triumph, &c., cease: *the sound of harpers, and musicians, and flute-players, and trumpeters, shall not be heard in thee* ANY MORE: the power of wealth has gone; her own right hand has forgotten her cunning: *every craftsman of every craft shall not be found in thee* ANY MORE: the sound of grinding the cor...
Read full commentary →And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth;...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testame...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **For thy merchants were the great . . .**—The judgment does not fall because the merchants were great: it is the sorcery of the next clause which is the true cause of her fall: the merchants are those who traded with her, as well as those who dwelt in her: by “her sorceries” we must understand her artful policy, her attractiveness, and the seductions by which she drew into the meshes of her ...
Read full commentary →And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of fall of babylon - economic, political, religious system destroyed, god's people called out employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **And in her was found . . .**—It is not by seductiveness only that her guilt is measured: her hands are defiled with blood: the blood of prophets, who had witnessed against her: of saints, whose holy lives were a protest against her sins, and so hateful to her; and “*of all who have been slain on the earth.”* (Comp. Revelation 17:6, and Note there.) It is not meant that literally all the blo...
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