Revelation 18:18

18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’

Revelation 18:18 in Other Translations

18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

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

18 They will cry out as they watch the smoke ascend, and they will say, “Where is there another city as great as this?”

18 and cried their lament when they saw the smoke from her burning: 'Oh, what a city! There was never a city like her!'

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

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

18 as they watched the smoke from her burning and kept crying out: "Who is like the great city?"

18 They will see the smoke rising as Babylon burns. They will ask, 'Was there ever a city like this 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 and cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!

17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!’ “Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.

18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, ‘Was there ever a city like this great city?’

19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!’

20 “Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.”

Cross References

• 1. ver 9; Revelation 19:3
• 2. S Revelation 17:18
• 3. Ezekiel 27:32; Revelation 13:4