Revelation 18:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The merchants cry out over the great city, recalling how she was adorned in fine fabrics, gold, jewels, and pearls.
What Does Revelation 18:16 Mean?
The merchants take up the cry, 'Alas, alas, that great city,' and their lament dwells on her wardrobe: clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, decked with gold, precious stones, and pearls. The very luxuries listed earlier now become the dirge over her, the finery they will sell no more.
Their mourning is for the loss of beauty bought and worn, the dazzling surface of a doomed city. They grieve the gown, not the guilt. Outward splendor can clothe inward corruption and still command admiration until the end. Scripture lingers on the finery to expose how easily the eye is captured by it. The reader is reminded that the adornment God values is not woven of gold and pearls, but is the hidden beauty of a heart made new in Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 18:16
What does Revelation 18:16 mean?
The merchants cry out over the great city, recalling how she was adorned in fine fabrics, gold, jewels, and pearls.