Revelation 17:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The angel explains that the waters where the harlot sits are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.
What Does Revelation 17:15 Mean?
The angel returns to the many waters of the opening vision and tells John what they mean. They are the peoples, the multitudes, the nations, and the languages of the world. The harlot is enthroned not over rivers and seas but over the vast restless mass of humanity itself.
The image shows how wide her influence runs, reaching across every people and tongue. Yet there is hope hidden in the same picture. The fourfold sweep of peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues is exactly the company that elsewhere in the book stands redeemed before the throne, singing the song of the Lamb. The same humanity she would hold captive is the harvest God means to gather to Himself. The waters that carry the harlot for a season are destined to belong to her Maker.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 17:15
What does Revelation 17:15 mean?
The angel explains that the waters where the harlot sits are peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues.