Revelation 12:15

KJV

And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the serpent {G3789} cast {G906} out of {G1537} his {G846} mouth {G4750} water {G5204} as {G5613} a flood {G4215} after {G3694} the woman {G1135}, that {G2443} he might cause {G4160} her {G5026} to be carried away of the flood {G4216}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The serpent spewed water like a river out of its mouth after the woman, in order to sweep her away in the flood;

Berean Standard Bible

Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent.

American Standard Version

And the serpent cast out of his mouth after the woman water as a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 12:15 vividly portrays the relentless and overwhelming assault of the dragon, identified as Satan, against the woman, symbolizing God's faithful people. Following his expulsion from heaven, the serpent unleashes a torrent of "water as a flood" from his mouth, a desperate attempt to utterly sweep away and destroy the woman, signifying the intense spiritual warfare and persecution directed against those who bear witness to Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the dramatic cosmic conflict depicted in [Revelation 12](/revelation/12 "Revelation 12 - The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon"). Immediately preceding it, we witness the birth of the male child (Christ), His ascension, and the subsequent expulsion of the great dragon, Satan, from heaven to earth ([Revelation 12:1-9](/revelation/12-1-9 "Revelation 12:1-9 - The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon's Defeat")). Having failed to thwart Christ's redemptive work, Satan's fury turns directly to the "woman," who represents God's people—initially Israel, from whom Christ came, and by extension, the Church. The woman is supernaturally protected and flees into the wilderness to a place prepared by God for 1,260 days ([Revelation 12:6](/revelation/12-6 "Revelation 12:6 - The Woman's Flight into the Wilderness")). Verse 15 describes the dragon's subsequent, desperate, and powerful counter-attack, attempting to destroy her through an overwhelming "flood," which is then countered by divine intervention in the very next verse ([Revelation 12:16](/revelation/12-16 "Revelation 12:16 - The Earth Helps the Woman")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a "flood" as a destructive force has deep roots in biblical and ancient Near Eastern thought, often symbolizing overwhelming chaos, divine judgment, or hostile armies. The most prominent biblical example is the [Noahic Flood](/genesis/6 "Genesis 6 - The Great Flood"), where water was an instrument of divine judgment and purification. In prophetic literature, floods can represent invading armies or overwhelming political forces (e.g., [Isaiah 8:7-8](/isaiah/8-7-8 "Isaiah 8:7-8 - Assyria as a Flood") or [Jeremiah 46:7-8](/jeremiah/46-7-8 "Jeremiah 46:7-8 - Egypt Rising Like a Flood")). John, writing to churches experiencing persecution under Roman imperial power, would have used this imagery to resonate with their understanding of overwhelming external pressures. The "serpent" or "dragon" is a universal symbol of evil and chaos in ancient mythologies, here explicitly identified with Satan, the ultimate adversary. The context for the original readers was one of intense pressure to conform to Roman imperial cults, facing economic hardship, social ostracization, and even martyrdom for their faith, making the "flood" a potent metaphor for the forces arrayed against them.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 12:15 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Revelation and biblical theology. First, it underscores the theme of **Cosmic Conflict**, revealing that the spiritual battle between God and Satan is not merely abstract but has tangible consequences for God's people on earth ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")). Second, it highlights **Satan's Relentless Malice and Defeat**, showing his continued, though ultimately futile, attempts to thwart God's redemptive plan after his initial defeat in heaven. His actions are born of "great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time" ([Revelation 12:12](/revelation/12-12 "Revelation 12:12 - Satan's Great Wrath")). Third, it implicitly introduces the theme of **Divine Protection and Perseverance**, as the woman, despite the overwhelming attack, is ultimately preserved, foreshadowing God's ultimate victory and the preservation of His faithful remnant through trials ([Revelation 12:16](/revelation/12-16 "Revelation 12:16 - The Earth Helps the Woman")). This verse also reinforces the theme of **Persecution of the Saints**, a recurring motif throughout Revelation, where believers are called to endure suffering for their testimony ([Revelation 1:9](/revelation/1-9 "Revelation 1:9 - John's Tribulation")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Serpent (Greek, _óphis'_):** This term, derived from a root suggesting "sharpness of vision," refers to a snake, but figuratively, it denotes a sly, cunning, and malicious person. In the context of [Revelation 12](/revelation/12 "Revelation 12 - The Woman, the Child, and the Dragon"), it is explicitly identified as "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan" ([Revelation 12:9](/revelation/12-9 "Revelation 12:9 - Satan, the Ancient Serpent")). This identification links the dragon directly to the deceiver in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man"), establishing a continuity of Satan's malevolent character and his ancient enmity towards God's people.
* **Flood (Greek, _potamós'_):** This word signifies a current, brook, or freshet, referring to running water or a river. In this context, combined with "water as a flood," it conveys the imagery of an overwhelming, uncontrollable, and destructive torrent. It is not merely a small stream but a powerful, sweeping force intended to engulf and obliterate.
* **Carried away of the flood (Greek, _potamophórētos'_):** This compound word, derived from "river" (_potamós_) and "borne" (from _phoréō_), literally means "river-borne" or "overwhelmed by a stream." It precisely captures the dragon's intent: to cause the woman to be swept away, drowned, or utterly destroyed by the overwhelming force he unleashes. It speaks to a complete and irreversible removal or annihilation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman":** This clause describes the dragon's direct and aggressive action. Having been cast down to earth and filled with wrath, the "serpent" (Satan) actively initiates an attack. The "water as a flood" emanating "out of his mouth" signifies a deliberate, powerful, and overwhelming assault. The imagery of water from the mouth can suggest a deluge of lies, false doctrines, accusations, or even a literal outpouring of destructive forces (like armies or persecutions) orchestrated by Satan, aimed directly at God's people ("after the woman").
* **"that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood":** This second clause reveals the explicit purpose and malicious intent behind the dragon's action. His goal is not merely to harass or inconvenience the woman, but to utterly "cause her to be carried away," meaning to completely overwhelm, engulf, and destroy her. The repetition of "of the flood" emphasizes the intended outcome: total annihilation or spiritual drowning by the overwhelming force unleashed.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 12:15 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Imagery**. The central figure of the "serpent" is a powerful **Symbol** for Satan, connecting this apocalyptic vision directly to the ancient adversary of God and humanity from [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man"). The "woman" **Symbolizes** God's faithful people, encompassing both believing Israel and the Church, who are the object of Satan's wrath. The most striking **Imagery** is "water as a flood," which is a vivid and potent **Metaphor** for the overwhelming forces of persecution, false doctrine, and spiritual attack that Satan unleashes against believers. This **Imagery** evokes a sense of being deluged, engulfed, and swept away, conveying the magnitude and destructive potential of the enemy's assault. The phrase "cast out of his mouth" uses **Personification** to attribute human-like action (speaking or expelling) to the serpent, further emphasizing the deliberate and malicious nature of the attack. The entire verse functions as a dramatic **Allegory** for the ongoing spiritual warfare that believers experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 12:15 underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the relentless animosity of Satan toward God's people. It reveals that the enemy's strategies are not always subtle temptations but can manifest as overwhelming, destructive forces designed to annihilate faith and extinguish the community of believers. This "flood" can be interpreted as intense persecution, a torrent of false teachings, or even societal pressures that threaten to overwhelm and sweep believers away from their commitment to Christ. However, the very intensity of the attack highlights the preciousness of the "woman" in God's eyes, prompting Satan's desperate measures. This cosmic struggle is ultimately under God's sovereign control, even as His people endure the adversary's wrath.

* [Psalm 124:4-5](/psalm/124-4-5 "The Lord's Deliverance from the Flood")
* [Isaiah 59:19](/isaiah/59-19 "The Spirit of the Lord Lifts Up a Standard Against the Enemy")
* [Matthew 7:24-27](/matthew/7-24-27 "The Wise and Foolish Builders")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 12:15 serves as a stark reminder that the Christian life is not without its battles. The "flood" unleashed by the serpent symbolizes the myriad ways the enemy seeks to overwhelm us: through societal pressures that contradict biblical values, through a deluge of misinformation and false doctrines that seek to erode truth, through overwhelming personal trials, or through direct persecution. This verse calls us to spiritual vigilance, recognizing that the adversary's intent is nothing less than our complete spiritual destruction. However, understanding the source and purpose of these "floods" empowers us not to despair, but to stand firm. Just as the woman in Revelation is divinely protected, believers today are assured that God provides a way of escape and strength to endure. Our resilience is not in our own might, but in discerning the enemy's schemes and trusting in the sovereign power of God who ultimately limits the "flood" and ensures His people's perseverance. This passage encourages us to be rooted deeply in Christ, so that when the floods come, we are not swept away.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "floods" (pressures, temptations, false ideas) do you currently perceive the enemy casting your way in your life or in the Church today?**
* **How does understanding Satan's ultimate goal (to "carry away" or destroy) change your perspective on the challenges you face?**
* **What spiritual disciplines or practices can help you remain steadfast when you feel overwhelmed by the "flood"?**

### FAQ
**What does the "water as a flood" symbolize in Revelation 12:15?**

Answer: The "water as a flood" is a powerful symbol representing an overwhelming, destructive force unleashed by Satan against God's people, the "woman." While its precise interpretation can vary, common understandings include:
* **Overwhelming Persecutions:** It can symbolize a torrent of physical, social, or political persecutions aimed at annihilating believers throughout history. This aligns with the context of Revelation, which addresses churches facing severe trials ([Revelation 2:10](/revelation/2-10 "Revelation 2:10 - Be Faithful Unto Death")).
* **False Doctrines and Heresies:** The "flood" can represent a deluge of deceptive teachings, spiritual lies, and heresies designed to spiritually drown believers and draw them away from the truth of Christ ([2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - False Teachers and Destructive Heresies")).
* **Hostile Forces/Armies:** In some prophetic contexts, floods symbolize invading armies or political powers raised up by Satan to crush God's people (e.g., [Daniel 9:26](/daniel/9-26 "Daniel 9:26 - The Prince Who Is To Come")).
The common denominator is Satan's malicious intent to utterly overwhelm and destroy the woman, God's faithful remnant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 12:15 vividly portrays Satan's wrath against the woman, the ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the reality that the dragon's fury is a direct consequence of his decisive defeat by Christ. The "male child" whom the dragon sought to devour ([Revelation 12:4](/revelation/12-4 "Revelation 12:4 - The Dragon's Attempt to Devour the Child")) is Christ, who ascended to God's throne, securing victory over Satan through His crucifixion and resurrection. The "flood" unleashed by the serpent is a desperate, post-defeat act, confirming that Satan's power is limited and his time is short ([Revelation 12:12](/revelation/12-12 "Revelation 12:12 - Satan's Great Wrath")). Jesus Himself spoke of overcoming the world and its trials, assuring His disciples, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")). The victory of Christ on the cross disarmed the principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")), rendering Satan's "flood" ultimately impotent against those who are in Christ. Believers are protected not by their own strength, but by the finished work of the Lamb of God, who ensures that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Gates of Hell Shall Not Prevail")). Thus, the "flood" serves to highlight the unwavering power and ultimate triumph of Christ, who shields His people even amidst the most furious of Satanic assaults.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 59:19

So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Psalms 18:4

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

Isaiah 8:7

Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, [even] the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:

Psalms 65:7

Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

Psalms 93:3

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

Psalms 93:4

The LORD on high [is] mightier than the noise of many waters, [yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea.

Isaiah 28:2

Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, [which] as a tempest of hail [and] a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand.