Revelation 18:15

15 The merchants of these [things], who became rich from them, will stand {far off}, weeping and mourning because of the fear of her torment,

Revelation 18:15 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 18:15

The merchants of these things
Before mentioned, who have traded in them for themselves and for Rome:

which were made rich by her,
see ( Revelation 18:3 )

shall stand afar off for fear of her torment;
as the kings of the earth before, ( Revelation 18:10 ) being conscious to themselves of their being partners in her crimes, and so might justly fear they should share in her punishment; and it may be, they will outwardly deny they are now of her religion, and will externally embrace the reformed religion; though they will be inwardly weeping and wailing for the destruction of Rome, and the loss of their merchandise and goodly things.

Revelation 18:15 In-Context

13 and cinnamon and amomum and incense and ointment and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine wheat flour and wheat and domesticated animals and sheep and horses and carriages and {slaves} and human lives.

14 "And {the fruit your soul desires} has departed from you, and all the luxury and the splendor has perished from you, and they will never find them any more."

15 The merchants of these [things], who became rich from them, will stand {far off}, weeping and mourning because of the fear of her torment,

16 saying, "Woe, woe, the great city, dressed in fine linen and purple cloth and scarlet cloth, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls,

17 because in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!" And every shipmaster and {every seafarer} and sailors and all those who labor on the sea stood {far off}

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "from afar"