Revelation 18:20-24

20 1Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and 2apostles and prophets, for 3God has given judgment for you against her!"
21 Then 4a mighty angel 5took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon 6the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;
22 and 7the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and 8the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more,
23 and the light of a lamp will shine in you no more, and 9the voice of bridegroom and bride will be heard in you no more, for 10your merchants were the great ones of the earth, and all nations were deceived 11by your sorcery.
24 And 12in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of 13all who have been slain on earth."

Revelation 18:20-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 18

This chapter gives an account of the fall of Babylon, and of the lamentation of many, and of the joy of others, by reason of it; which account is published by several angels: the first that declares her fall is described by his original, descending from heaven; by the great power he had; by his resplendent glory, and by his mighty cry in publishing her destruction; which is illustrated by the desolate condition she will be in upon her fall; the reasons of which are given, became the nations and kings of the earth had committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth were enriched by her luxury, Re 18:1-3. Another voice is heard from heaven, calling upon the people of God, first to come out of her, lest partaking of her sins they should share in her plagues, seeing her iniquities had reached to heaven, and were remembered before God; and next to take full vengeance on her, because she had glorified herself, lived deliciously, and in great security, Re 18:4-7. And then follows a continuation of the account of her destruction, what her plagues would be, death, mourning, famine, and fire; and which would be sudden, in one hour, and certain, from the power and justice of God, Re 18:8. Next follow the lamentations of the kings, merchants, and masters of ships, because of her greatness, riches, and merchandise, which are all come to nothing, Re 18:9-19. And then the church; the saints, apostles, and prophets, are called upon to rejoice at the vengeance taken on her, Re 18:20 upon which a mighty angel appears, who by an action signifies the manner of her destruction, and the irrecoverableness of her state and condition, Re 18:21 and declares her utter ruin, by affirming that nothing that was either delightful or profitable, or necessary or comfortable, should any more be found in her; giving the reasons of it, because of her luxury, idolatry, and bloodshed, Re 18:22-24.

Cross References 13

  • 1. Deuteronomy 32:43; Jeremiah 51:48; See Revelation 12:12
  • 2. Luke 11:49, 50
  • 3. Revelation 19:2
  • 4. Revelation 5:2; Revelation 10:1
  • 5. [Jeremiah 51:63, 64]
  • 6. ver. 10
  • 7. Isaiah 14:11; Isaiah 24:8; Ezekiel 26:13
  • 8. Ecclesiastes 12:4; Jeremiah 25:10
  • 9. Jeremiah 7:34; Jeremiah 16:9; Jeremiah 33:11
  • 10. Isaiah 23:8
  • 11. Nahum 3:4
  • 12. Revelation 17:6; [Matthew 23:35, 36]
  • 13. [Jeremiah 51:49]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.