Devine Scripture

Revelation 17:3

What does Revelation 17:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 17:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 17:3 means

John is transported “in the Spirit” to a wilderness—an austere backdrop that matches the spiritual barrenness of what he will see. The woman rides a scarlet beast, signaling her partnership with brutal, ostentatious power. The beast is covered with blasphemous names, a public parade of claims and titles that usurp what belongs to God alone. Its seven heads and ten horns symbolize great, multifaceted authority and strength. The picture shows corrupt religion and godless empire intertwined: the woman gains prominence by the beast’s might, and the beast gains legitimacy by the woman’s allure. Scarlet evokes not only luxury but bloodshed, hinting that beneath the pageantry lies a readiness to persecute and destroy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he took me away in the Spirit into a waste land: and I saw a woman seated on a bright red beast, full of evil names, having seven heads and ten horns,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he carried me away to a wilderness in the Spirit, and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-coloured beast, full of names of evil-speaking, having seven heads and ten horns,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he took me away in spirit into the desert. And I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he carried me away in spirit to a desert; and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Context

Having heard of the harlot’s widespread influence, the reader is now shown the stage: a wilderness vision emphasizing judgment and desolation rather than garden abundance. The beast recalls earlier descriptions in Revelation, linking this scene to the broader conflict with evil powers. The next verses will further detail the woman’s outward finery and inner filth, then reveal her name and nature. This elaborate portrayal makes the angel’s later interpretation intelligible, showing the nexus of religious seduction and political force.

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.

v.3This passage

v.4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication,

Cross references

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:4

    he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.

  • Ezekiel 3:12

    Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard behind me the voice of a great rushing, saying, Blessed be the glory of Jehovah from his place.

  • Revelation 17:9

    Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth:

  • Revelation 12:3

    And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his heads seven diadems.

  • Ezekiel 11:24

    And the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.

  • Revelation 17:4

    And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication,

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