Revelation 17:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I saw the woman drunk from the blood of God’s people, that is, from the blood of the people who testify about Yeshua.

On seeing her, I was altogether astounded.

Berean Standard Bible:

I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.

American Standard Version:

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 with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G2532} I saw^{G1492} the woman^{G1135} drunken^{G3184} with^{G1537} the blood^{G129} of the saints^{G40}, and^{G2532} with^{G1537} the blood^{G129} of the martyrs^{G3144} of Jesus^{G2424}: and^{G2532} when I saw^{G1492} her^{G846}, I wondered^{G2296} with great^{G3173} admiration^{G2295}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Revelation 16:6

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

Revelation 13:15

And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Revelation 2:13

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan's seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Revelation 13:7

And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Daniel 7:25

And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Acts 22:20

And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

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Commentary for Revelation 17:6

Revelation 17:6 is a verse from the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, traditionally attributed to John the Apostle. This book is an apocalyptic text filled with symbolic imagery and prophecies concerning the end times. The verse is part of a larger vision where the author describes seeing a woman seated on a scarlet beast, both of which are adorned with blasphemous names and symbols of power.

In the historical context, early Christians would have understood the "woman" as a symbol of corruption and religious apostasy, possibly representing Rome or a broader system of paganism and imperial power that persecuted Christians. The "blood of the saints" and "the blood of the martyrs of Jesus" refers to the persecution and execution of early Christians, which was a reality during the time the Book of Revelation was written, particularly under the Roman Emperors Nero and Domitian.

The woman's drunkenness on this blood emphasizes the extent of her guilt and the grotesque nature of her power, which is derived from the suffering of the faithful. The author's reaction of "great admiration" or "wonder" (Greek: thauma) can also be interpreted as "astonishment" or "horror," reflecting the shocking and abominable sight of the woman's actions against the people of God.

The themes of Revelation 17:6 include the stark contrast between the forces of good and evil, the persecution of the righteous by earthly powers, and the ultimate judgment that awaits those who oppose God and His people. The verse also underscores the spiritual battle that believers face and the assurance that despite appearances, God is sovereign and will bring justice. This passage serves as a call to remain faithful in the face of oppression, looking forward to the ultimate victory of Christ over all evil.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G2532
There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καί
Transliteration: kaí
Pronunciation: kahee
Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Strong's Number: G1492
There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἴδω
Transliteration: eídō
Pronunciation: i'-do
Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
Strong's Number: G1135
There are 200 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γυνή
Transliteration: gynḗ
Pronunciation: goo-nay'
Description: probably from the base of γίνομαι; a woman; specially, a wife:--wife, woman.
Strong's Number: G3184
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μεθύω
Transliteration: methýō
Pronunciation: meth-oo'-o
Description: from another form of μέθη; to drink to intoxication, i.e. get drunk:--drink well, make (be) drunk(-en).
Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion.
Strong's Number: G129
There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αἷμα
Transliteration: haîma
Pronunciation: hah'-ee-mah
Description: of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication, bloodshed, also kindred:--blood.
Strong's Number: G40
There are 1382 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἅγιος
Transliteration: hágios
Pronunciation: hag'-ee-os
Description: from (an awful thing) (compare ἁγνός, θάλπω); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated):--(most) holy (one, thing), saint.
Strong's Number: G3144
There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μάρτυς
Transliteration: mártys
Pronunciation: mar'-toos
Description: of uncertain affinity; a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr":-- martyr, record, witness.
Strong's Number: G2424
There are 935 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰησοῦς
Transliteration: Iēsoûs
Pronunciation: ee-ay-sooce'
Description: of Hebrew origin (יְהוֹשׁוּעַ); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.
Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
Strong's Number: G2296
There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θαυμάζω
Transliteration: thaumázō
Pronunciation: thou-mad'-zo
Description: from θαῦμα; to wonder; by implication, to admire:--admire, have in admiration, marvel, wonder.
Strong's Number: G3173
There are 185 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μέγας
Transliteration: mégas
Pronunciation: meg'-as
Description: (including the prolonged forms, feminine , plural , etc.; compare also μέγιστος, μείζων); big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application):--(+ fear) exceedingly, great(-est), high, large, loud, mighty, + (be) sore (afraid), strong, X to years.
Strong's Number: G2295
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: θαῦμα
Transliteration: thaûma
Pronunciation: thos'-mah
Description: apparently from a form of θεάομαι; wonder (properly concrete; but by implication, abstract):--admiration.

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