Revelation 17:15 ESV

G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible - Revelation 17:1-18

We now come to the true unfolding of the nature of Babylon and the detailed account of the judgment to fall on her. The name on the forehead of Babylon commences with the word "Mystery." Babylon stands for the whole system of organized godlessness in the history of the human race. In its course it has been surrounded by every kind of material splendor, "arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls." Through the ages, men turning from the vision of God have... read more

Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Revelation 17:1-18

Mystic and Commercial Babylon Revelation 17:1-18 and Revelation 18:1-24 INTRODUCTORY WORDS The seventeenth chapter of Revelation discusses what we call mystic Babylon; and the eighteenth presents commercial Babylon. Personally, we believe that there will be a union of apostate protestantism with apostate Catholicism. This is discussed in chapter seventeen. Then, we believe that Babylon will be rebuilded. We are quite aware of Isaiah's prophecy concerning the former Babylon, which was to be... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 17:1-18

The Scarlet Woman and the Beast (Revelation 17:1-18 ). This is a remarkable chapter for in it John rises above himself and foresees the inevitable consequences of history. As with all the great prophets he ‘sees’ beyond his own day to the final days when God will bring all things to conclusion. Each can be speaking of his own times and the near future, and then suddenly be found speaking about the end times. For he sees the near future as an indicator of those end times, and his prophetic... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 17:15-16

‘And he says to me, “The waters which you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations and tongues. And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the prostitute and will make her desolate and naked, and will eat her flesh and will burn her utterly with fire”.’ Idolatry and its accompaniments will flourish among the nations, and indeed does so to the present time. Large portions of the earth are idolatrous, and idolatrous Temples are even now rising... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 17:9-18

Revelation 17:9 . seven mountains: Rome was described as “ the city of the seven hills.” Revelation 17:10 . seven kings: this is a second interpretation of the “ heads.” The most probable explanation is: “ The five are fallen,” i.e. Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero are dead; “ the one is,” i.e. Vespasian is still reigning, “ the other is not yet come,” i.e. Titus is still to ascend the throne as seventh emperor (but cf. p. 928 ). Revelation 17:11 . an eighth and is... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Revelation 17:15

John saw the great whore sitting upon seven mountains, Revelation 17:9, and upon many waters, Revelation 17:1; these signified her dominion and jurisdiction over many people. read more

Joseph Exell

Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary - Revelation 17:1-18

THE JUDGMENT ON BABYLONCRITICAL AND EXEGETICAL NOTESNOTICE that in the Old Testament, harlotry is the frequent representation of apostasy. Babylon stands for the Apostate Church, which is here figured as a harlot temptress.Revelation 17:4. Golden cup.—Jeremiah 51:7.Revelation 17:5. Upon her forehead was a name.—It is said to have been an ancient custom for harlots to wear their names on their foreheads—tied on as a label. Mystery.—See 2 Thessalonians 2:7.Revelation 17:7. Carrieth her.—The woman... read more

Chuck Smith

Chuck Smith Bible Commentary - Revelation 17:1-18

In chapter seventeen, we now have the specific judgment of God upon the false religious system that has damned the souls of so many men through deception. Jesus warned us to "beware of false prophets who will come looking like sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" ( Matthew 7:15 ). And the false religious system, which traps the souls of men and its judgment, is coming. Chapter seventeen tells us of this judgment.Babylon is used in the scripture as a symbol of confusion, because it was... read more

Joseph Sutcliffe

Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 17:1-18

Revelation 17:1 . Come (up) hither; I will shew thee the judgment of the great whore, that sitteth upon many waters, or nations, as in Revelation 17:15; and with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication. Of the new- testament church it is said in prophecy, “the Lord thy Maker is thy husband.” This idea is improved by St. Paul, who regards the church as a virgin without spot or wrinkle, espoused to one husband, even Christ. On the contrary, the prophet Isaiah inflicts the... read more

John Trapp

John Trapp Complete Commentary - Revelation 17:15

15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. Ver. 15. Are peoples ] Fitly called waters for their instability and impetuosity. read more