Revelation 18:23 Meaning and Explanation
“And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Lamplight and wedding joy will be gone from Babylon, for her merchants were great and her sorceries deceived the nations.
What Does Revelation 18:23 Mean?
The picture of silence deepens into darkness. No lamp will shine in the city, and the glad voices of bridegroom and bride will be heard no more, the loss of light and of love together. Two reasons are given: her merchants were the great men of the earth, and by her sorceries all nations were deceived. Her wealth and her enchantments had ruled the world.
The going out of the lamp and the silencing of the wedding song mark the end of warmth, hope, and new beginnings. Behind the splendor lay deception, a glamour that led the nations astray. What dazzles is not always what is true. Scripture exposes the sorcery beneath the surface so the reader will not be charmed. The light that never fails and the marriage joy that never ends are found not in Babylon but in the Lamb and his bride.
Revelation 18:23 in the Original Language
pharmakeia (φαρμακεία), 'sorceries' -- the use of potions and spells to deceive and enchant.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 18:23
What does Revelation 18:23 mean?
Lamplight and wedding joy will be gone from Babylon, for her merchants were great and her sorceries deceived the nations.