ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Revelation 17

Rev. 17:1–19:10 An extended vision describes the fall of Babylon. This event was announced by an angel (14:8) and portrayed in the seventh bowl (16:18–19). The city appears as a female prostitute (17:1–6). Then an angel explains the meaning of the woman and the beast on which she sits (17:7–18). Finally, a series of voices comment on her fall (18:1–19:10). The “great prostitute” and “Babylon the great” (chs. 17 and 18) are the same. Both portray the beast’s empire.

Rev. 17:1–15 Babylon’s expensive clothing and jewelry symbolize her wealth. Her name, “mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations” (v. 5), represents the desire of godless societies for sensual pleasure. Her becoming drunk on the blood of the saints, and the beast on which she sits, symbolize the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and power.

Rev. 17:1 Many waters symbolizes the many peoples and nations Babylon rules (vv. 15, 18).

Rev. 17:2 Sexual immorality and spiritual infidelity are connected (2:20–23; Ezek. 16:15–43).

Rev. 17:3 carried me away in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave John a prophetic vision like Ezekiel experienced (Ezek. 3:12; 11:24). wilderness. A place of spiritual protection (see Rev. 12:6, 14) and physical difficulty. The beast of ch. 13 is now a scarlet beast on which the woman sits. Some understand this to be the Antichrist, who supports Babylon.

Rev. 17:4 Both prostitute and bride are adorned in gold, jewels, pearls, and fine linen (compare 18:16; 19:8; 21:18–21). Babylon’s clothing is expensive purple and scarlet. The bride’s is bright, pure white. The prostitute symbolizes the appeal of a worldly economic system driven by wealth and pleasure (18:11–19). golden cup. Compare Jer. 51:7.

Rev. 17:6 drunk with the blood of the . . . martyrs of Jesus. The wealthy and powerful rulers kill Jesus’ followers (13:15–17).

Rev. 17:8 beast . . . was and is not and is to come. It had received a terrible wound yet came back to life (13:12–14). about to rise from the bottomless pit (see 11:7) and go to destruction. The beast’s power to persecute Christians is limited. His future violence will also be limited (see 19:19–21; 20:7–10).

Rev. 17:9–11 The city of Rome rests on seven mountains (or seven hills). In prophetic imagery, mountains symbolize the place of power (Jer. 51:24–25; Dan. 2:35, 44–45). The beast’s seven heads symbolize both mountains and kings. This shows his power over people whose names are not in the book of life. The dragon and beast’s “time is short” (Rev. 12:12), for the beast goes to destruction.

Rev. 17:12–14 The beast’s ten horns, symbolizing ten kings, probably represent all of the earth’s kings. They are deceived and gathered by the dragon and the beast for a final rebellion against the Lamb and an assault on his called and chosen and faithful followers (see 16:14; 19:19–21; 20:7–10).

Rev. 17:16–19:10 The military power that supports Babylon’s pursuit of pleasure will destroy its wealth and social order. This will distress those who idolized and profited from its wealth. But this will delight believers, who have suffered its violent attacks.

Rev. 17:16–17 The partnership of prostitute and beast will end. Armies will destroy the economic system it once supported. The beast and its allies strip the prostitute naked. They devour her flesh and burn her up with fire (compare Ezek. 16:39–41). God uses his enemies to carry out his purpose.

Rev. 17:18 The great city is Rome, which had dominion over the kings of the earth.