Revelation 18:16
What does Revelation 18:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 18:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 18:16 means
The merchants cry, “Woe, woe,” recalling Babylon’s appearance—fine linen, purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, precious stones, and pearls. They remember her magnificence to heighten the shock of her fall. The beauty described is external; it clothed pride and seduction. What dazzled the eye fed the heart’s deceit. Now the memory only increases their lament, for the spectacle they admired is no more. The verse teaches that splendor without holiness is temporary costume. When judgment comes, the garments that once impressed become a testimony against the wearer, proving how much was invested in show while justice and truth were neglected.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000saying, 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!
KJV
King James Version · 1611And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901saying, 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!
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Saying, Sorrow, sorrow for the great town, she who was clothed in delicate linen, and purple, and red; with ornaments of gold and stones of great price and jewels!
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and saying, Woe, woe, the great city, that was arrayed with fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and gilded in gold, and precious stone, and pearls--because in one hour so much riches were made waste!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And saying: Alas! alas! that great city, which was clothed with fine linen and purple and scarlet and was gilt with gold and precious stones and pearls.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890saying, Woe, woe, the great city, which [was] clothed with fine linen and purple and scarlet, and had ornaments of gold and precious stones and pearls!
Context
This line mirrors the language used to describe Babylon’s opulence earlier, tying the merchants’ grief to what once drew their admiration and profits. By repeating her adornment, the text connects to chapter 17’s portrayal of the harlot’s attire. With this lament expressed, the narrative widens the circle again to the maritime world—shipmasters and mariners—whose livelihoods depended on global trade. The flow moves from royal power to commercial power to transport power, showing every layer implicated and affected.
v.15The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning;
v.16This passage
v.17for in one hour so great riches is made desolate. And every shipmaster, and every one that saileth any whither, and mariners, and as many as gain their living by sea, stood afar off,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Revelation 18:19
And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, wherein all that had their ships in the sea were made rich by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
- 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,
- Revelation 18:10
standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
- Luke 16:19
Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day:
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