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 →A striking image becomes clearer when the angel interprets it. The woman in Revelation 17 first appears seated upon many waters. Here the vision moves from a visible scene to its human meaning, helping us understand that Babylon's reach concerns actual communities across the varied world of peoples and languages.
The waters beneath the woman symbolize peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues. Babylon's influence reaches across human societies and languages, revealing the broad scope of her corrupting and oppressive power.
The Context of Revelation 17:15
The angel has brought John into the wilderness to show him the judgment of the great whore who sits upon many waters. John sees her riding a scarlet beast, clothed in splendor, bearing the name Babylon, and drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs of Jesus. The angel explains the beast, its heads, and its horns in verses 7 through 14. Verse 15 returns to the waters mentioned in verse 1 and interprets them. Verse 18 identifies the woman as the great city reigning over the kings of the earth.
What Does Revelation 17:15 Mean?
The angel says, "The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth," and then gives their meaning: "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues." The four terms gather human communities from several angles. Peoples and multitudes emphasize the many persons under her reach; nations identifies organized human societies; tongues points to diverse languages. The woman is therefore portrayed as seated over a wide human field. Her position in the image conveys influence and dominance. The verse does not name every people or specify a modern map. It makes clear that the vision concerns an extensive, international reach rather than a small and isolated setting.
This interpretation gathers the chapter's earlier details into focus. Verse 1 calls the woman "great" and says she sits upon many waters. Verse 2 says kings of the earth join her fornication and inhabitants of the earth become drunk with its wine. Verse 18 calls her a great city that reigns over kings. Verse 15 explains why such language can be so wide: the waters themselves stand for peoples and nations of many tongues. Revelation uses a city and a woman to portray a power whose seductions and violence touch human life broadly. The blood of saints in verse 6 keeps this from becoming an abstract description of influence.
The Bible's vision of humanity includes every nation and language under God's notice. At Pentecost, people from many lands hear the mighty works of God; Revelation later sees a great multitude from all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues before God's throne. Revelation 17:15 presents the darker possibility that diverse peoples can be drawn under Babylon's influence. The wider book holds out a greater horizon. The Lamb is worthy because his redemption reaches people from every kindred, tongue, people, and nation. His claim gathers humanity without repeating Babylon's corruption and bloodshed.
Bible Verses Related to Revelation 17:15
“And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:”
- Revelation 17:1
“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”
- Revelation 17:18
“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;”
- Revelation 7:9
“And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;”
- Revelation 5:9
Where Revelation 17:15 Echoes in Scripture
Revelation 7:9 is the strongest later echo: it describes a great multitude from all nations, kindreds, people, and tongues before the throne and before the Lamb. Revelation 17:15 uses similarly expansive categories for peoples under Babylon's influence. The echo sets two visions of worldwide human diversity before us, one under corrupt earthly power and one worshiping God and the Lamb.
How to Apply Revelation 17:15 Today
This verse enlarges our concern beyond the borders, language, and customs most familiar to us. Peoples of every tongue matter to God, and systems of greed, idolatry, violence, and exploitation can cross those boundaries with ease. We can learn to recognize human dignity in those whom our own society overlooks or misunderstands. It is fitting to pray for persecuted believers and vulnerable communities around the world, to resist speech that treats whole peoples as disposable, and to support truthful witness that honors Christ among many languages and cultures.
Reflection & Prayer
Do we see unfamiliar peoples chiefly through fear, distance, or stereotypes, or as neighbors known by God? Let this image widen our prayers. Prayer: God of every people and tongue, protect those harmed by corrupt power, deepen our compassion, and make our lives bear faithful witness to the Lamb among all whom we meet.