Revelation 18:18

18 and ¹cried out ²as they saw the smoke of her burning, ³"What city was like the great city?"

Revelation 18:18 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 18:18

And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning
(See Gill on Revelation 18:9)

saying, what city is like unto this great city?
as before for magnificence and grandeur, so now for sorrow, desolation, and ruin; nor was any city like it for power and authority, for pride and luxury, for idolatry and superstition, blasphemy and impenitence; the like the sailors say of Tyre, ( Ezekiel 27:30 ) from whence this and other expressions are borrowed in this lamentation.

Revelation 18:18 In-Context

16 "Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!

17 For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste."And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off

18 and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, "What city was like the great city?"

19 And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, "Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been laid waste.

20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!"

Cross References

• 1. Ezekiel 27:30
• 2. ver. 9
• 3. Ezekiel 27:32; [Revelation 13:4]