Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 18:12
The merchandise of gold, and silver - Of course, these constitute an important article of commerce in a great city.And precious stones - Diamonds, emeralds, rubies, etc. These have always been important articles of traffic in the world, and, of course, most of the traffic in them would find its way to great commercial cities.And pearls - See the notes on Matthew 7:6; Matthew 13:46. These, too, have been always, and were, particularly in early times, valuable articles of commerce. Mr. Gibbon... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 18:16
And saying, Alas, alas that great city! Most authorities omit "and." Woe, woe, the great city! (nominative case); exactly as in Revelation 18:10 . That was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls. She that was clothed, etc. Decked; "gilded," as in the Revised Version margin, as in Revelation 17:4 . The identity of description of the woman and Babylon is another proof of the essentially identical nature of the two (see... read more