Revelation 8:13
What does Revelation 8:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 8:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 8:13 means
John sees and hears an eagle flying in mid heaven, crying with a great voice, “Woe, woe, woe” to them that dwell on the earth, because of the remaining trumpet voices of the three angels. The swift, high-flying herald broadcasts a triple warning, heightening the seriousness of what is coming. In Revelation, “them that dwell on the earth” often describes hardened earthbound people in contrast to the saints. The message clarifies that the next judgments will bear even more directly on humanity. Before they sound, heaven ensures the warning is unmistakable. Mercy accompanies judgment in advance notice; yet the tone is dire. The reader is to brace for an escalation beyond the already devastating first four trumpets.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a great voice, Woe, woe, woe, for them that dwell on the earth, by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, who are yet to sound.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And there came to my ears the cry of an eagle in flight in the middle of heaven, saying with a great voice, Trouble, trouble, trouble, to all on the earth, because of the other voices of the horns of the three angels, whose sounding is still to come.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I saw, and I heard one messenger, flying in the mid-heaven, saying with a great voice, `Woe, woe, woe, to those dwelling upon the land from the rest of the voices of the trumpet of the three messengers who are about to sound.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I beheld: and heard the voice of one eagle flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice: Woe, Woe, Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, by reason of the rest of the voices of the three angels, who are yet to sound the trumpet!
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I saw, and I heard an eagle flying in mid-heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to them that dwell upon the earth, for the remaining voices of the trumpet of the three angels who are about to sound.
Context
This final verse forms a solemn bridge between the first four trumpets and the last three. The eagle’s triple “Woe” labels the remaining judgments as intensified woes, preparing the way for chapter 9’s demonic and militarized plagues. The pacing slows to let the warning land. The structure—from silence, to intercession, to partial environmental judgments, to a herald of greater woes—underscores that God’s actions are ordered and announced. What follows continues the series set in motion when the seventh seal was opened.
v.12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; that the third part of them should be darkened, and the day should not shine for the third part of it, and the night in like manner.
v.13This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 2:10
and he spread it before me: and it was written within and without; and there were written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe.
- Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?
- Revelation 14:6
And I saw another angel flying in mid heaven, having eternal good tidings to proclaim unto them that dwell on the earth, and unto every nation and tribe and tongue and people;
- Revelation 19:17
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God;
- Revelation 9:12
The first Woe is past: behold, there come yet two Woes hereafter.
- Revelation 14:3
and they sing as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders: and no man could learn the song save the hundred and forty and four thousand, even they that had been purchased out of the earth.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Revelation 8
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Revelation 8.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Adoption as Sons
God’s plan for us includes adoption into his family, bringing us from spiritual orphanhood to beloved children.
Topic
Bible Verses About Authority
Authority in the Bible refers to the divinely instituted right to command and influence, often reflecting God's sovereign rule and delegation to human leaders.
Topic
Bible Verses About Blasphemy
Blasphemy in the Bible refers to irreverence shown toward God, holy things, and even people who represent God.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for the Fear of Death
When you're afraid to die — what scripture promises about the last enemy.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After a Miscarriage
A holy ache the world rarely names — scripture for the weight you're carrying.