21Then a mighty angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying: "With this violent rush Babylon the great city will be thrown down, and will never be found again. [18:22] The sound of harpists and musicians and flute players and trumpeters will never be heard in you again. No craftsman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. [18:23] The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of a bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again — because your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were led astray by your sorcery. [18:24] And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slaughtered on the earth."
REV 18:21-24
The Doom of Babylon
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, Babylon in Revelation symbolizes Rome, the dominant imperial power known for its economic exploitation, idolatry, and violence. The imagery of a millstone cast into the sea evokes the sudden and irreversible destruction of a city, a familiar concept in Mediterranean port cities where maritime trade was central to prosperity. The silencing of musicians, craftsmen, and the absence of wedding celebrations underscores the total cessation of cultural and economic life, a stark contrast to Rome’s bustling urban centers. The mention of (sorcery) likely alludes to Rome’s reliance on occult practices and its reputation for moral corruption. The slaughter of prophets and saints reflects the empire’s persecution of those who resisted its idolatrous demands. For John’s audience, this passage vividly portrays the downfall of a system built on exploitation and violence, resonating with their lived experience under Roman domination.
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How other translations render this
REV 18:21
- KJV
- And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
- BSB
- Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.
- Koinōnos
- Then a mighty angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying: "With this violent rush Babylon the great city will be thrown down, and will never be found again.
REV 18:22
- KJV
- And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;
- BSB
- And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will never ring out in you again. Nor will any craftsmen of any trade be found in you again, nor the sound of a millstone be heard in you again.
- Koinōnos
- The sound of harpists and musicians and flute players and trumpeters will never be heard in you again. No craftsman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again.
REV 18:23
- KJV
- And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
- BSB
- The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.”
- Koinōnos
- The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of a bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again — because your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were led astray by your sorcery.
REV 18:24
- KJV
- And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
- BSB
- And there was found in her the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who had been slain on the earth.
- Koinōnos
- And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
REV 18:21
- with violence:The word translated 'with violence' describes a sudden, forceful, and irreversible motion, like a swift, destructive rush or a violent, irreversible plunge.
REV 18:22
- craftsmen:The word translated 'craftsmen' refers to skilled artisans or master craftspeople, those who create useful and beautiful things with expertise.
REV 18:23
- sorcery:The word translated 'sorcery' originally referred to the use of drugs, potions, or charms, often with magical intent, to influence or harm others.
REV 18:24
- slain:The word translated 'slain' often implies a violent, sacrificial, or ritualistic killing, not just any death, but one involving bloodshed and often a public display.