Revelation 17:6 Meaning and Explanation
“And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →John sees the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and the witnesses of Jesus, and he is struck with great astonishment.
What Does Revelation 17:6 Mean?
The vision turns from her luxury to her cruelty. The woman is not drunk on wine now but on blood, the blood of the holy ones and of those who bore witness to Jesus even unto death. The persecuting power that seemed so glorious has been feeding on the faithful. Seeing this, John is overcome, gripped by a great and bewildered wonder.
The martyrs are named as the cost of her splendor. Their blood is not forgotten; it is the very thing that exposes her. John's astonishment is honest, for evil dressed in beauty can stagger even a faithful heart. Yet the vision does not leave the saints as mere victims. Their witness to Jesus is what unmasks the harlot, and the rest of the book makes plain that the blood she shed cries out and will be answered by the One who keeps every faithful life in His hand.
Revelation 17:6 in the Original Language
martys (μάρτυς), 'martyr' -- a witness, one who testifies, even at the cost of life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 17:6
What does Revelation 17:6 mean?
John sees the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and the witnesses of Jesus, and he is struck with great astonishment.