Lectionary Calendar

Friday, May 23rd, 2025
the Fifth Week after Easter

video advertismenet

Attention!

For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Bible Commentaries
Revelation 18

RevelationRev 17 RevelationRev RevelationRev 19

Search for…

Resource Toolbox

Print version Overview Copyright Bibliography

Verse 1

Verse 1

And after these things, &c. The visions described in this and in the following chapter are evidently intended to represent, by vivid images, the certain and terrible destruction of the great anti-Christian power represented by Babylon.

return to 'Top of Page'

Verse 2

Verse 2

The habitation of devils; of demons, which are often spoken of as dwelling in desert and desolate places. This an the subsequent clauses express desolation and abandonment, not mere moral corruption.

return to 'Top of Page'

Verse 8

Verse 8

In one day; suddenly. This and similar expressions, in Revelation 18:10,Revelation 18:17,Revelation 18:21, indicate, in the opinion of some commentators, that Jerusalem was the city intended; as the destruction of that city was sudden and overwhelming.

return to 'Top of Page'

Verse 9

Verse 9

Shall bewail her. The kings are represented in Revelation 17:16, as conspiring to effect the ruin of the woman, who seems to be the same as Babylon (Revelation 17:5.) We may suppose that some of them had turned against her, while others lamented her downfall,--or we may consider it as a change in the imagery, both representations denoting, in different ways, the certainty of her overthrow.

return to 'Top of Page'

Verse 12

Verse 12

Thyine; a fragrant wood.

return to 'Top of Page'

Verse 13

Verse 13

And souls of men; men having souls.

return to 'Top of Page'

Verse 16

Verse 16

Here the writer returns to the image of the woman, by which the city was represented in the Revelation 17:1-18.

return to 'Top of Page'

Verse 21

Verse 21

A mighty angel; that is, another angel, who comes forward to present, in still different language, a view of the greatness and the certainty of the impending destruction.

return to 'Top of Page'

Verse 24

Verse 24

Was found the blood of prophets; that is, the guilt of shedding that blood.

return to 'Top of Page'

RevelationRev 17 RevelationRev RevelationRev 19

Bibliographical Information
Abbott, John S. C. & Abbott, Jacob. "Commentary on Revelation 18". "Abbott's Illustrated New Testament". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/ain/revelation-18.html. 1878.

Bible CommentariesRevelation 18

Abbott's Illustrated New TestamentAbbott's NT

Bible Commentaries
Revelation 18