Revelation 17:1-18 – Babylon the Great Whore An angel shows John the judgment of a whore named Babylon, who represents the violence and destruction that nations inflict. In the end, the beast with whom she is associated destroys her.
· archived 5/18/2026, 12:44:42 AM screenshot cached html click to expand Revelation 17:1-18 – Babylon the Great Whore - Enter the Bible Sign in Sign up Search Generic filters Hidden label Hidden label Hidden label Hidden label Filter by Content Type Hidden label Select all Hidden label Posts Hidden label Lessons Hidden label Time Periods Hidden label Glossary Terms Hidden label Videos Hidden label Passages Hidden label Podcasts Filter by Biblical Book Select Genesis Exodus Job Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Hebrews Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Philippians Colossians Ephesians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation Filter by Post Topic Select How to Read the Bible My Favorite Bible Passage Q&A The Bible and Faith Formation World and Word Biblical History Sermon on the Mount Old Testament Allusions in the New Testament Money and Stewardship Eschatology Lament Judgment Difficult Texts Repentance Hope Mercy Covenant Love Redemption Justice Praise and Worship Idolatry Forgiveness Resurrection Sin Faith Creation Sabbath Healing Deuteronomic History Authorship 10 Commandments Marriage and Sexuality Election Parables Crucifixion Kingdom of God Holiness Evil Prayer Wisdom Holy Spirit Bible Study Violence Relationship Metaphor Diversity Unity Division Jesus Spiritual Practices Fasting What's Going On Grace From Where I Stand Reset Search Generic filters Hidden label Hidden label Hidden label Hidden label Filter by Content Type Hidden label Select all Hidden label Posts Hidden label Lessons Hidden label Time Periods Hidden label Glossary Terms Hidden label Videos Hidden label Passages Hidden label Podcasts Filter by Biblical Book Select Genesis Exodus Job Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Hebrews Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Philippians Colossians Ephesians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation Filter by Post Topic Select How to Read the Bible My Favorite Bible Passage Q&A The Bible and Faith Formation World and Word Biblical History Sermon on the Mount Old Testament Allusions in the New Testament Money and Stewardship Eschatology Lament Judgment Difficult Texts Repentance Hope Mercy Covenant Love Redemption Justice Praise and Worship Idolatry Forgiveness Resurrection Sin Faith Creation Sabbath Healing Deuteronomic History Authorship 10 Commandments Marriage and Sexuality Election Parables Crucifixion Kingdom of God Holiness Evil Prayer Wisdom Holy Spirit Bible Study Violence Relationship Metaphor Diversity Unity Division Jesus Spiritual Practices Fasting What's Going On Grace From Where I Stand Reset Revelation 17:1-18 – Babylon the Great Whore BIBLE TEXT Revelation 17:1-18 SUMMARY An angel shows John the judgment of a whore named Babylon, who represents the violence and destruction that nations inflict. In the end, the beast with whom she is associated destroys her. ANALYSIS The whore personifies the city that exerts an oppressive yet seductive power over the earth. As a prostitute, she reduces intimate relationships to a commercial transaction and relates to anyone who is willing to pay. Enamored with luxury, she wears opulent clothing and jewels, yet she is drunk with the blood of the saints. Revelation recognizes that many people find the pursuit of wealth to be intoxicating and that violence can be seductive.The name of the city is Babylon, which recalls that in the Old Testament Babylon conquered Jerusalem and destroyed its temple. The fact that John pictures Babylon sitting on seven hills also draws on the idea that Rome–the power that conquered Jerusalem again in John’s day–was situated on seven hills (17:9). Both ancient Babylon and Rome were commercial powers, and both used violence to achieve their purposes. The city represents a form of influence that has existed in various times and places. Eventually, however, the whore is destroyed by the beast that had been its ally (17:16). The powers of evil are self-destructive. This gives readers good reason to distance themselves from the tendencies that Babylon represents. Revelation The Second Generation of the Church: 60 CE - 120 CE John of Patmos Eschatology, Judgment Related Passages Revelation 22:1-5 – The New Jerusalem Revelation 21:1-7 – All Things Made New Revelation 20:11-15 – The Last Judgment Revelation 20:4-6 – A Thousand-Year Reign Revelation 11:15-18 – The Kingdom of God and the Christ Revelation 6:1-8 – The Four Horsemen Revelation 4:6b-11 – Worship around God’s Throne Hebrews 12:22-24 – The Heavenly Jerusalem Sign Up or Login Username or Email Address Password Remember Me Log In Register Lost your password? 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