King James Version

What Does Revelation 18:14 Mean?

Revelation 18:14 in the King James Version says “And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are depart... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

Revelation 18:14 · KJV


Context

12

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

13

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

14

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.

15

The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

16

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!


Commentary

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 warns against misplaced affections—treasuring temporal pleasures over eternal goods. The soul's lusting reveals idolatry; material things became objects of worship. Loss of these exposes their emptiness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Rome's elite pursued ever-increasing luxury and exotic pleasures. Massive wealth concentrated in imperial and senatorial classes funded lavish lifestyles. The vision warned that sudden collapse would permanently end this prosperity. Those who invested their souls in material pleasures faced total, irreversible loss—a warning against building identity on temporal wealth.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'fruits' might your soul be lusting after that could be suddenly and permanently lost?
  2. How does the permanent loss ('no more at all') challenge you to invest in eternal rather than temporal treasures?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 27 words
καὶ1 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ2 of 27

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ὀπώρα3 of 27

the fruits

G3703

properly, even-tide of the (summer) season (dog-days), i.e., (by implication) ripe fruit

τὰ4 of 27

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐπιθυμίας5 of 27

lusted after

G1939

a longing (especially for what is forbidden)

τὰ6 of 27

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ψυχῆς7 of 27

soul

G5590

breath, i.e., (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from g4151, wh

σοῦ8 of 27

that thy

G4675

of thee, thy

ἀπῆλθεν9 of 27

are departed

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

ἀπὸ10 of 27

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

σοῦ11 of 27

that thy

G4675

of thee, thy

καὶ12 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πάντα13 of 27

all things

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

τὰ14 of 27

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λιπαρὰ15 of 27

were dainty

G3045

fat, i.e., (figuratively) sumptuous

καὶ16 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὰ17 of 27

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

λαμπρὰ18 of 27

goodly

G2986

radiant; by analogy, limpid; figuratively, magnificent or sumptuous (in appearance)

ἀπῆλθεν19 of 27

are departed

G565

to go off (i.e., depart), aside (i.e., apart) or behind (i.e., follow), literally or figuratively

ἀπὸ20 of 27

from

G575

"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)

σοῦ21 of 27

that thy

G4675

of thee, thy

καὶ22 of 27

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

οὐκέτι23 of 27

no more

G3765

not yet, no longer

οὐ24 of 27
G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

μὴ25 of 27
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

εὑρήσῃς26 of 27

thou shalt find

G2147

to find (literally or figuratively)

αὐτὰ27 of 27

them

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Revelation. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Revelation 18:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Revelation 18:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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