Devine Scripture

Revelation 16:11

What does Revelation 16:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 16:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 16:11 means

Even as pain and sores persist—a reminder that the bowls accumulate—the people respond by blaspheming “the God of heaven” and refusing to repent of their deeds. Their bodies and their consciences testify against them, yet their wills remain set. Naming God “the God of heaven” admits His exalted rule, but the acknowledgment is twisted into contempt rather than worship. The verse shows that external pressure cannot produce internal change where there is love of evil. The stubborn refusal to turn underscores the rightness of the judgments already falling and prepares for the climactic confrontation that will arise from their unrepentant defiance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they repented not of their works.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they repented not of their works.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And they said evil things against the God of heaven because of their pain and their wounds; and they were not turned from their evil works.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they did speak evil of the God of the heaven, from their pains, and from their sores, and they did not reform from their works.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they blasphemed the God of heaven, because of their pains and wounds: and did not penance for their works.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and blasphemed theGod of the heaven for their distresses and their sores, and did not repent of their works.

Context

This closes the account of the fifth bowl with the repeated note of impenitence. The chapter now pivots. Instead of describing another immediate plague, the sixth bowl alters the geopolitical landscape by drying the Euphrates. That act removes a barrier and sets in motion a worldwide convergence of kings, drawn by demonic deception, for the “great day of God.” A brief pastoral word will appear in verse 15 before the gathering place is named.

v.10And the fifth poured out his bowl upon the throne of the beast; and his kingdom was darkened; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,

v.11This passage

v.12And the sixth poured out his bowl upon the great river, the river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way might be made ready for the kings that come from the sunrising.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ezra 7:21

    And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers that are beyond the River, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done with all diligence,

  • Revelation 16:21

    And great hail, every stone about the weight of a talent, cometh down out of heaven upon men: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof is exceeding great.

  • Ezra 7:23

    Whatsoever is commanded by the God of heaven, let it be done exactly for the house of the God of heaven; for why should there be wrath against the realm of the king and his sons?

  • Revelation 16:2

    And the first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the beast, and that worshipped his image.

  • Psalms 136:26

    Oh give thanks unto the God of heaven; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever.

  • Revelation 2:21

    And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.

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