King James Version

What Does Revelation 19:18 Mean?

Revelation 19:18 in the King James Version says “That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and... — study this verse from Revelation chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

Revelation 19:18 · KJV


Context

16

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

17

And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

18

That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

19

And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

20

And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The angel's call to fowls for the 'supper of the great God' presents gruesome battlefield imagery—vultures consuming fallen warriors' flesh. This contrasts the marriage supper of the Lamb (v. 9), showing two eternal destinies. The comprehensive list—kings, captains, mighty men, horses, riders, free, bond, small, great—emphasizes that judgment respects no earthly status. All who oppose Christ face the same end. Reformed theology affirms that human distinctions (social class, power, wealth) become irrelevant before divine judgment. Christ's enemies, however prestigious temporally, become carrion for birds.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient battlefields attracted scavenging birds, a familiar sight associated with judgment (Deuteronomy 28:26, Ezekiel 39:17-20). This imagery recalled prophetic warnings of coming judgment. The vision's graphic nature communicated the certainty and totality of defeat for God's enemies. First-century believers facing persecution needed assurance that oppressors would face comprehensive judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the contrast between the Lamb's marriage supper and this gruesome 'great supper' clarify the stakes of responding to Christ?
  2. What warning does the inclusion of all classes and ranks in this judgment give about the universality of accountability before God?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 28 words
ἵνα1 of 28

That

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

φάγητε2 of 28

ye may eat

G5315

to eat (literally or figuratively)

σάρκας3 of 28

the flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

βασιλέων4 of 28

of kings

G935

a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)

καὶ5 of 28

and

G2532

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

σάρκας6 of 28

the flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

χιλιάρχων7 of 28

of captains

G5506

the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e., colonel

καὶ8 of 28

and

G2532

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

σάρκας9 of 28

the flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ἰσχυρῶν10 of 28

of mighty men

G2478

forcible (literally or figuratively)

καὶ11 of 28

and

G2532

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

σάρκας12 of 28

the flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

ἵππων13 of 28

of horses

G2462

a horse

καὶ14 of 28

and

G2532

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

τῶν15 of 28
G3588

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

καθημένων16 of 28

of them that sit

G2521

and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside

ἐπ'17 of 28

on

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

αὐτῶν18 of 28

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

καὶ19 of 28

and

G2532

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

σάρκας20 of 28

the flesh

G4561

flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or

πάντων21 of 28

of all

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ἐλευθέρων22 of 28

men both free

G1658

unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e., (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or lia

καὶ23 of 28

and

G2532

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

δούλων24 of 28

bond

G1401

a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)

καὶ25 of 28

and

G2532

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

μικρῶν26 of 28

small

G3398

small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)

καὶ27 of 28

and

G2532

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

μεγάλων28 of 28

great

G3173

big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)


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 19:18 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 19:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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