Revelation 18:19

19 They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!' For in one hour is she made desolate.

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 For in an hour such great riches are made desolate.' Every shipmaster, and everyone who sails anywhere, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood far away,

18 and cried out as they looked at the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like the great city?'

19 They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, 'Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her great wealth!' For in one hour is she made desolate.

20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, you saints, you apostles, and you prophets; for God has judged your judgment on her."

21 A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all.