Revelation 17:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The angel reveals that the woman is the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth.
What Does Revelation 17:18 Mean?
The angel gives the final and plainest interpretation. The woman John saw is a great city, the seat of power that reigns over the kings of the earth. All her purple and gold, her cup and her cruelty, are gathered into this last word: she is a city, a whole civilization built up against God and ruling the rulers of the world.
Scripture sets two cities before every reader. There is this great city that exalts itself and sits upon the nations, and there is the city of God that comes down from heaven adorned as a bride. The one is destined to fall; the other endures forever. The chapter that began with a seductive harlot ends by naming the choice. Each heart finally belongs to one city or the other, and the whole hope of the gospel is to be found a citizen of the city whose builder and maker is God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 17:18
What does Revelation 17:18 mean?
The angel reveals that the woman is the great city that reigns over the kings of the earth.