Revelation 18:3 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

3 For G3754 all G3956 nations G1484 have drunk G4095 of G1537 the wine G3631 of the wrath G2372 of her G846 fornication, G4202 and G2532 the kings G935 of the earth G1093 have committed fornication G4203 with G3326 her, G846 and G2532 the merchants G1713 of the earth G1093 are waxed rich G4147 through G1537 the abundance G1411 of her G846 delicacies. G4764

Cross Reference

Ezekiel 27:9-25 STRONG

The ancients H2205 of Gebal H1380 and the wise H2450 men thereof were in thee thy calkers: H919 H2388 all the ships H591 of the sea H3220 with their mariners H4419 were in thee to occupy H6148 thy merchandise. H4627 They of Persia H6539 and of Lud H3865 and of Phut H6316 were in thine army, H2428 thy men H582 of war: H4421 they hanged H8518 the shield H4043 and helmet H3553 in thee; they set forth H5414 thy comeliness. H1926 The men H1121 of Arvad H719 with thine army H2428 were upon thy walls H2346 round about, H5439 and the Gammadims H1575 were in thy towers: H4026 they hanged H8518 their shields H7982 upon thy walls H2346 round about; H5439 they have made H3634 thy beauty H3308 perfect. H3634 Tarshish H8659 was thy merchant H5503 by reason of the multitude H7230 of all kind of riches; H1952 with silver, H3701 iron, H1270 tin, H913 and lead, H5777 they traded H5414 in thy fairs. H5801 Javan, H3120 Tubal, H8422 and Meshech, H4902 they were thy merchants: H7402 they traded H5414 the persons H5315 of men H120 and vessels H3627 of brass H5178 in thy market. H4627 They of the house H1004 of Togarmah H8425 traded H5414 in thy fairs H5801 with horses H5483 and horsemen H6571 and mules. H6505 The men H1121 of Dedan H1719 were thy merchants; H7402 many H7227 isles H339 were the merchandise H5506 of thine hand: H3027 they brought H7725 thee for a present H814 horns H7161 of ivory H8127 and ebony. H1894 Syria H758 was thy merchant H5503 by reason of the multitude H7230 of the wares of thy making: H4639 they occupied H5414 in thy fairs H5801 with emeralds, H5306 purple, H713 and broidered work, H7553 and fine linen, H948 and coral, H7215 and agate. H3539 Judah, H3063 and the land H776 of Israel, H3478 they were thy merchants: H7402 they traded H5414 in thy market H4627 wheat H2406 of Minnith, H4511 and Pannag, H6436 and honey, H1706 and oil, H8081 and balm. H6875 Damascus H1834 was thy merchant H5503 in the multitude H7230 of the wares of thy making, H4639 for the multitude H7230 of all riches; H1952 in the wine H3196 of Helbon, H2463 and white H6713 wool. H6785 Dan H2051 H1835 also and Javan H3120 going to and fro H235 occupied H5414 in thy fairs: H5801 bright H6219 iron, H1270 cassia, H6916 and calamus, H7070 were in thy market. H4627 Dedan H1719 was thy merchant H7402 in precious H2667 clothes H899 for chariots. H7396 Arabia, H6152 and all the princes H5387 of Kedar, H6938 they occupied H5503 with thee H3027 in lambs, H3733 and rams, H352 and goats: H6260 in these were they thy merchants. H5503 The merchants H7402 of Sheba H7614 and Raamah, H7484 they were thy merchants: H7402 they occupied H5414 in thy fairs H5801 with chief H7218 of all spices, H1314 and with all precious H3368 stones, H68 and gold. H2091 Haran, H2771 and Canneh, H3656 and Eden, H5729 the merchants H7402 of Sheba, H7614 Asshur, H804 and Chilmad, H3638 were thy merchants. H7402 These were thy merchants H7402 in all sorts H4360 of things, in blue H8504 clothes, H1545 and broidered work, H7553 and in chests H1595 of rich apparel, H1264 bound H2280 with cords, H2256 and made of cedar, H729 among thy merchandise. H4819 The ships H591 of Tarshish H8659 did sing H7788 of thee in thy market: H4627 and thou wast replenished, H4390 and made very H3966 glorious H3513 in the midst H3820 of the seas. H3220

Proverbs 23:1-3 STRONG

When thou sittest H3427 to eat H3898 with a ruler, H4910 consider H995 diligently H995 what is before H6440 thee: And put H7760 a knife H7915 to thy throat, H3930 if thou be a man given H1167 to appetite. H5315 Be not desirous H183 of his dainties: H4303 for they are deceitful H3577 meat. H3899

2 Peter 2:1-3 STRONG

But G1161 there were G1096 false prophets G5578 also G2532 among G1722 the people, G2992 even G2532 as G5613 there shall be G2071 false teachers G5572 among G1722 you, G5213 who G3748 privily shall bring in G3919 damnable G684 heresies, G139 even G2532 denying G720 the Lord G1203 that bought G59 them, G846 and bring G1863 upon themselves G1438 swift G5031 destruction. G684 And G2532 many G4183 shall follow G1811 their G846 pernicious ways; G684 by reason of G1223 whom G3739 the way G3598 of truth G225 shall be evil spoken of. G987 And G2532 through G1722 covetousness G4124 shall they with feigned G4112 words G3056 make merchandise G1710 of you: G5209 whose G3739 judgment G2917 now of a long time G1597 lingereth G691 not, G3756 and G2532 their G846 damnation G684 slumbereth G3573 not. G3756

Revelation 18:11-17 STRONG

And G2532 the merchants G1713 of the earth G1093 shall weep G2799 and G2532 mourn G3996 over G1909 her; G846 for G3754 no man G3762 buyeth G59 their G846 merchandise G1117 any more: G3765 The merchandise G1117 of gold, G5557 and G2532 silver, G696 and G2532 precious G5093 stones, G3037 and G2532 of pearls, G3135 and G2532 fine linen, G1040 and G2532 purple, G4209 and G2532 silk, G4596 and G2532 scarlet, G2847 and G2532 all G3956 thyine G2367 wood, G3586 and G2532 all manner G3956 vessels G4632 of ivory, G1661 and G2532 all manner G3956 vessels G4632 of G1537 most precious G5093 wood, G3586 and G2532 of brass, G5475 and G2532 iron, G4604 and G2532 marble, G3139 And G2532 cinnamon, G2792 and G2532 odours, G2368 and G2532 ointments, G3464 and G2532 frankincense, G3030 and G2532 wine, G3631 and G2532 oil, G1637 and G2532 fine flour, G4585 and G2532 wheat, G4621 and G2532 beasts, G2934 and G2532 sheep, G4263 and G2532 horses, G2462 and G2532 chariots, G4480 and G2532 slaves, G4983 and G2532 souls G5590 of men. G444 And G2532 the fruits G3703 that thy G4675 soul G5590 lusted after G1939 are departed G565 from G575 thee, G4675 and G2532 all things G3956 which G3588 were dainty G3045 and G2532 goodly G2986 are departed G565 from G575 thee, G4675 and G2532 thou shalt find G2147 them G846 no more G3765 at all. G3364 The merchants G1713 of these things, G5130 which G3588 were made rich G4147 by G575 her, G846 shall stand G2476 afar G3113 off G575 for G1223 the fear G5401 of her G846 torment, G929 weeping G2799 and G2532 wailing, G3996 And G2532 saying, G3004 Alas, G3759 alas, G3759 that great G3173 city, G4172 that was clothed in G4016 fine linen, G1039 and G2532 purple, G4210 and G2532 scarlet, G2847 and G2532 decked G5558 with G1722 gold, G5557 and G2532 precious G5093 stones, G3037 and G2532 pearls! G3135 For G3754 in one G3391 hour G5610 so great G5118 riches G4149 is come to nought. G2049 And G2532 every G3956 shipmaster, G2942 and G2532 all G3956 the company G3658 in G1909 ships, G4143 and G2532 sailors, G3492 and G2532 as many as G3745 trade G2038 by sea, G2281 stood G2476 afar G3113 off, G575

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Revelation 18

Commentary on Revelation 18 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 18

We have here,

  • I. An angel proclaiming the fall of Babylon (v. 1, 2).
  • II. Assigning the reasons of her fall (v. 3).
  • III. Giving warning to all who belonged to God to come out of her (v. 4, 5), and to assist in her destruction (v. 6-8).
  • IV. The great lamentation made for her by those who had been large sharers in her sinful pleasures and profits (v. 9-19).
  • V. The great joy that there would be among others at the sight of her irrecoverable ruin (v. 20-24).

Rev 18:1-8

The downfall and destruction of Babylon form an event so fully determined in the counsels of God, and of such consequence to his interests and glory, that the visions and predictions concerning it are repeated.

  • 1. Here is another angel sent from heaven, attended with great power and lustre, v. 1. He had not only light in himself, to discern the truth of his own prediction, but to inform and enlighten the world about that great event; and not only light to discern it, but power to accomplish it.
  • 2. This angel publishes the fall of Babylon, as a thing already come to pass; and this he does with a mighty strong voice, that all might hear the cry, and might see how well this angel was pleased to be the messenger of such tidings. Here seems to be an allusion to the prediction of the fall of pagan Babylon (Isa. 21:9), where the word is repeated as it is here: has fallen, has fallen. Some have thought a double fall is hereby intended, first her apostasy, and then her ruin; and they think the words immediately following favour their opinion; She has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird, v. 2. But this is also borrowed from Isa. 21:9, and seems to describe not so much her sin of entertaining idols (which are truly called devils) as her punishment, it being a common notion that unclean spirits, as well as ominous and hateful birds, used to haunt a city or house that lay in its ruins.
  • 3. The reason of this ruin is declared (v. 3); for, though God is not obliged to give any account of his matters, yet he is pleased to do so, especially in those dispensations of providence that are most awful and tremendous. The wickedness of Babylon had been very great; for she had not only forsaken the true God herself, and set up idols, but had with great art and industry drawn all sorts of men into the spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and luxury had retained them in her interest.
  • 4. Fair warning is given to all that expect mercy from God, that they should not only come out of her, but be assisting in her destruction, v. 4, 5. Here observe,
    • (1.) God may have a people even in Babylon, some who belong to the election of grace.
    • (2.) God's people shall be called out of Babylon, and called effectually.
    • (3.) Those that are resolved to partake with wicked men in their sins must receive of their plagues.
    • (4.) When the sins of a people reach up to heaven, the wrath of God will reach down to the earth.
    • (5.) Though private revenge is forbidden, yet God will have his people act under him, when called to it, in pulling down his and their inveterate and implacable enemies, v. 6.
    • (6.) God will proportion the punishment of sinners to the measure of their wickedness, pride, and security, v. 7.
    • (7.) When destruction comes on a people suddenly, the surprise is a great aggravation of their misery, v. 8.

Rev 18:9-24

Here we have,

  • I. A doleful lamentation made by Babylon's friends for her fall; and here observe,
    • 1. Who are the mourners, namely, those who had been bewitched by her fornication, those who had been sharers in her sensual pleasures, and those who had been gainers by her wealth and trade-the kings and the merchants of the earth: the kings of the earth, whom she had flattered into idolatry by allowing them to be arbitrary and tyrannical over their subjects, while they were obsequious to her; and the merchants, that is, those who trafficked with her for indulgences, pardons, dispensations, and preferments; these will mourn, because by this craft they got their wealth.
    • 2. What was the manner of their mourning.
      • (1.) They stood afar off, they durst not come nigh her. Even Babylon's friends will stand at a distance from her fall. Though they had been partakers with her in her sins, and in her sinful pleasures and profits, they were not willing to bear a share in her plagues.
      • (2.) They made a grievous outcry: Alas! alas! that great city, Babylon, that mighty city!
      • (3.) They wept, and cast dust upon their heads, v. 19. The pleasures of sin are but for a season, and they will end in dismal sorrow. All those who rejoice in the success of the church's enemies will share with them in their downfall; and those who have most indulged themselves in pride and pleasure are the least able to bear calamities; their sorrows will be as excessive as their pleasure and jollity were before.
    • 3. What was the cause of their mourning; not their sin, but their punishment. They did not lament their fall into idolatry, and luxury, and persecution, but their fall into ruin-the loss of their traffic and of their wealth and power. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly spirit, and their sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow; they did not lament for the anger of God, that had now fallen upon them, but for the loss of their outward comfort. We have a large schedule and inventory of the wealth and merchandise of this city, all which was suddenly lost (v. 12, 13), and lost irrecoverably (v. 14): All things which were dainty and goodly have departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. The church of God may fall for a time, but she shall rise again; but the fall of Babylon will be an utter overthrow, like that of Sodom and Gomorrah. Godly sorrow is some support under affliction, but mere worldly sorrow adds to the calamity.
  • II. An account of the joy and triumph there was both in heaven and earth at the irrecoverable fall of Babylon: while her own people were bewailing her, the servants of God were called to rejoice over her, v. 20. Here observe,
    • 1. How universal this joy would be: heaven and earth, angels and saints, would join in it; that which is matter of rejoicing to the servants of God in this world is matter of rejoicing to the angels in heaven.
    • 2. How just and reasonable; and that,
      • (1.) Because the fall of Babylon was an act of God's vindictive justice. God was then avenging his people's cause. They had committed their cause to him to whom vengeance belongs, and now the year of recompence had come for the controversies of Zion; and, though they did not take pleasure in the miseries of any, yet they had reason to rejoice in the discoveries of the glorious justice of God.
      • (2.) Because it was an irrecoverable ruin. This enemy should never molest them any more, and of this they were assured by a remarkable token (v. 21): An angel from heaven took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, "Thus shall Babylon be thrown down with violence, and be found no more at all; the place shall be no longer habitable by man, no work shall be done there, no comfort enjoyed, no light seen there, but utter darkness and desolation, as the reward of her great wickedness, first in deceiving the nations with her sorceries, and secondly in destroying and murdering those whom she could not deceive,' v. 24. Such abominable sins deserved so great a ruin.