Revelation 18:19

19 Then they threw dust on their heads and shouted while crying and mourning, 'How horrible, how horrible for that important city. Everyone who had a ship at sea grew rich because of that city's high prices. In one moment it has been destroyed!'

Revelation 18:19 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 18:19

And they cast dust on their heads
As the seafaring men on account of Tyre, ( Ezekiel 27:30 ) this was a gesture used in mourning when persons were in afflicted and distressed circumstances, denoting disorder, confusion, and debasement; see ( Joshua 7:6 ) ( Job 2:12 )

and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, alas, alas! that great city;
as in ( Revelation 18:10 Revelation 18:16 ) so it was once, though now in flames:

wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea;
not only the merchants of the earth, as in ( Revelation 18:3 ) the cardinals, archbishops, and bishops, but the governors of religious houses; these accumulated great wealth to themselves, and got the best of lands into their possession for the use and support of their abbeys and monasteries:

by reason of her costliness;
or costly things; pardons, indulgences, absolution, saying Mass, and praying souls out of purgatory, all which are costly, and hereby these traders have been enriched; and now the remembrance of these things, of which they will be deprived, will affect and grieve them, as well as the suddenness of Rome's ruin:

for in one hour is she made desolate;
her judgment come, and her riches come to nought, ( Revelation 18:10 Revelation 18:17 ) .

Revelation 18:19 In-Context

17 In one moment all this wealth has been destroyed!' Every ship's captain, everyone who traveled by ship, sailors, and everyone who made their living from the sea stood far away.

18 When they saw the smoke rise from her raging fire, they repeatedly cried out, 'Was there ever a city as important as this?'

19 Then they threw dust on their heads and shouted while crying and mourning, 'How horrible, how horrible for that important city. Everyone who had a ship at sea grew rich because of that city's high prices. In one moment it has been destroyed!'

20 "Gloat over it, heaven, God's people, apostles, and prophets. God has condemned it for you."

21 Then a powerful angel picked up a stone that was like a large millstone. He threw it into the sea and said, "The important city Babylon will be thrown down with the same force. It will never be found again.