Devine Scripture

Revelation 17:1

What does Revelation 17:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 17:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 17:1 means

One of the angels who poured out the seven bowls now invites John to see God’s verdict on “the great harlot.” This figure represents an alluring yet unfaithful system that trades true worship for idolatry and self-indulgence. She “sits upon many waters,” showing her wide reach and influence across peoples and places. The angel’s purpose is to unveil not merely her splendor, but her doom. However persuasive her power appears, judgment belongs to the Lord. The invitation to “Come” reminds us that God does not leave His people in confusion; He reveals the destiny of counterfeit religion and corrupt culture so that believers are not deceived by her charms or frightened by her scale.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And one of the seven angels who had the seven vessels came and said to me, Come here, so that you may see the judging of the evil woman who is seated on the great waters;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there came one of the seven messengers, who were having the seven vials, and he spake with me, saying to me, `Come, I will shew to thee the judgment of the great whore, who is sitting upon the many waters,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven vials and spoke with me, saying: Come, I will shew thee the condemnation of the great harlot, who sitteth upon many waters:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And one of the seven angels, which had the seven bowls, came and spoke with me, saying, Come here, I will shew thee the sentence of the great harlot who sits upon the many waters;

Context

After the seven bowls of wrath have been poured out, the focus narrows from global judgments to a particular symbol of worldly corruption: the great harlot. Verse 1 functions as the doorway into a detailed vision and its interpretation. John is summoned to observe not her rise, but her judgment, setting the tone for the chapter. What follows will first display her seductive appearance and apparent dominance, and then explain the beast she rides and the kings she influences, culminating in the certainty of her fall under God’s sovereign plan.

v.1This passage

v.2with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and they that dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her fornication.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 21:9

    And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

  • Revelation 15:1

    And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having seven plagues, which are the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God.

  • Revelation 16:19

    And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and Babylon the great was remembered in the sight of God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

  • Jeremiah 2:20

    For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bonds; and thou saidst, I will not serve; for upon every high hill and under every green tree thou didst bow thyself, playing the harlot.

  • Revelation 15:6

    and there came out from the temple the seven angels that had the seven plagues, arrayed withprecious stone, pure and bright, and girt about their breasts with golden girdles.

  • Revelation 18:16

    saying, Woe, woe, the great city, she that was arrayed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearl!

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