Devine Scripture

Revelation 17:6

What does Revelation 17:6 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 17:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 17:6 means

The woman is not merely seductive; she is murderous. She is “drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” Her intoxication comes from persecuting those who refuse her idolatries and remain loyal to Jesus. The image of drunkenness suggests she delights in and is emboldened by violence. John’s great astonishment captures the jarring contrast between her elegant veneer and her savage heart. This is the climax of her guilt: she sets herself against the people of God and the testimony of Jesus. Her power is not neutral culture but a system that, when resisted, turns feral against holiness and truth.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I saw the woman overcome as with the wine of the blood of the saints, and the blood of those put to death because of Jesus. And when I saw her, I was overcome with a great wonder.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I saw the woman drunken from the blood of the saints, and from the blood of the witnesses of Jesus, and I did wonder--having seen her--with great wonder;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And I wondered, when I had seen her, with great admiration.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. And I wondered, seeing her, with great wonder.

Context

With her name declared, the true outcome of her influence is shown: the slaughter of God’s people. John’s wonder provokes the angel’s response in the next verse, moving from vision to explanation. The chapter now transitions into an interpretive discourse, where the angel will disclose the meaning of the woman and the beast, their timing, their allies, and their fate. This shift is crucial so readers do not remain with impressions only, but receive God-given understanding to discern the times.

v.5and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

v.6This passage

v.7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 6:9

    And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

  • Revelation 13:7

    And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.

  • Daniel 7:25

    And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.

  • Acts 22:20

    and when the blood of Stephen thy witness was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting, and keeping the garments of them that slew him.

  • Revelation 2:13

    I know where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s throne is; and thou holdest fast my name, and didst not deny my faith, even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwelleth.

  • Daniel 7:21

    I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;

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