Revelation 14:20

KJV

And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the winepress {G3025} was trodden {G3961} without {G1854} the city {G4172}, and {G2532} blood {G129} came {G1831} out of {G1537} the winepress {G3025}, even unto {G891} the horse {G2462} bridles {G5469}, by the space of {G575} a thousand {G5507} and six hundred {G1812} furlongs {G4712}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The winepress was trodden outside the city, and blood flowed from the winepress as high as the horses’ bridles for two hundred miles!

Berean Standard Bible

And the winepress was trodden outside the city, and the blood that flowed from it rose as high as the bridles of the horses for a distance of 1,600 stadia.

American Standard Version

And the winepress was trodden without the city, and there came out blood from the winepress, even unto the bridles of the horses, as far as a thousand and six hundred furlongs.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 14:20 vividly portrays the culmination of divine judgment, depicting a scene of overwhelming wrath poured out upon the wicked. Following the symbolic harvest and vintage of the earth, this verse describes the treading of the great winepress of God's fury, located outside the symbolic city, from which blood flows in an astonishingly deep and far-reaching torrent, signifying the catastrophic and widespread destruction of those who have rejected God and allied with evil.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 14:20 serves as the dramatic climax to the "vintage of the earth" imagery introduced in [Revelation 14:17-19](/revelation/14-17-19 "The Angel with the Sickle and the Vintage"). This scene immediately follows the pronouncements of the three angels in [Revelation 14:6-12](/revelation/14-6-12 "The Three Angels' Messages"), which proclaim the everlasting gospel, warn against worshipping the beast, and highlight the perseverance of the saints. The "harvest" (gathering of the righteous) and "vintage" (gathering of the wicked for judgment) imagery provides a powerful transition from the warnings to the actual execution of God's wrath, setting the stage for the subsequent bowl judgments in [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "The Seven Bowls of God's Wrath"). It underscores the certainty and severity of God's final reckoning with unrepentant humanity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of the winepress as a metaphor for divine judgment was deeply rooted in the agricultural practices and prophetic traditions of the ancient Near East. In biblical times, grapes were trodden in a press to extract juice, often a messy and strenuous process. Prophets frequently employed this imagery to depict God's righteous wrath crushing His enemies, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 63:1-6](/isaiah/63-1-6 "God's Vengeance from Edom") and [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "The Harvest and Winepress of Judgment"). The "city" in this context likely refers to Jerusalem or a symbolic representation of God's people, and the judgment occurring "without the city" could allude to a place of defilement or a global scope, reminiscent of executions or sacrifices taking place outside city gates.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation. The most prominent is **Divine Judgment and Wrath**, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty and His ultimate, terrifying justice against rebellion. The **Symbolism of Blood** is central, transforming the expected grape juice into blood to signify immense death and the severity of the consequences for persistent wickedness. The **Extent and Severity of Judgment** is conveyed through hyperbole, with the blood reaching "horse bridles" and flowing for "a thousand and six hundred furlongs," indicating a catastrophic, overwhelming, and widespread event that covers a vast geographical area, possibly symbolizing the entire earth or a significant portion of it. Finally, the scene reinforces the theme of **Finality**, assuring believers that evil will not triumph indefinitely and that God's righteous rule will ultimately prevail, bringing a definitive end to tribulation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **winepress (Greek, _lēnós'_):** This term refers to a trough or vat where grapes are trodden to extract their juice. In this context, it is a potent symbol of divine judgment, where the wicked are "crushed" under God's righteous wrath, yielding not wine but blood.
* **trodden (Greek, _patéō'_):** Derived from a word meaning "path," this verb signifies to trample or tread down, literally or figuratively. Its use here reinforces the active, forceful, and decisive nature of God's judgment, where His enemies are subjugated and destroyed.
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** While literally referring to the fluid in living beings, this word is used figuratively here to denote the juice of grapes, but more profoundly, it signifies bloodshed, death, and the atoning blood of Christ. In Revelation 14:20, it represents the horrific and widespread carnage resulting from God's wrath, a stark contrast to the life-giving blood of atonement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the winepress was trodden without the city":** This clause establishes the setting and action of the judgment. The "winepress" symbolizes the instrument of God's wrath, and its location "without the city" suggests that this judgment is not confined to a specific holy place but is either global in scope or occurs in a place of defilement, outside the protection or presence of God's covenant people. The passive voice "was trodden" implies divine agency, with God as the ultimate one orchestrating this crushing act.
* **"and blood came out of the winepress":** This is the shocking and central image. Instead of grape juice, the product of the winepress is blood, signifying the immense loss of life and the violent, destructive nature of this final judgment. It underscores the severity of God's wrath against unrepentant humanity.
* **"even unto the horse bridles":** This phrase is a vivid hyperbole, emphasizing the incredible depth and saturation of the blood. It conveys an overwhelming, catastrophic event where the carnage is so vast that the blood reaches the height of a horse's bridle, suggesting an unimaginable scale of death and destruction.
* **"by the space of a thousand [and] six hundred furlongs":** This measurement describes the vast geographical extent of the judgment. A furlong (stadium) was approximately 600 feet or 185 meters. 1600 furlongs is roughly 184 miles or 296 kilometers. This specific number (1600 = 4 x 4 x 100) is highly symbolic in apocalyptic literature, often representing completeness or universality (four corners of the earth, multiplied by a number of completeness). It signifies that the judgment is not localized but widespread and comprehensive, encompassing a vast area, perhaps symbolizing the entire earth or the land of Palestine.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 14:20 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a terrifying and visceral picture of divine judgment. The transformation of grape juice into blood, the depth of the blood reaching "horse bridles," and the vast expanse of "a thousand and six hundred furlongs" all create a powerful, sensory experience for the reader, conveying the horror and magnitude of God's wrath. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the "winepress" representing God's mechanism of judgment and the "blood" symbolizing the widespread death and destruction of the wicked. The numbers "thousand and six hundred" are also highly **symbolic**, often interpreted as representing completeness or universality (4 x 4 x 100), rather than a literal geographical distance. The phrase "even unto the horse bridles" employs **Hyperbole**, an intentional exaggeration to emphasize the extreme depth and overwhelming nature of the judgment, making the scene even more impactful and terrifying.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 14:20 stands as a stark reminder of God's unwavering justice and the inevitable consequences of persistent rebellion against His holy character and gracious offer of salvation. While God is love and patient, this verse underscores that His patience has limits, and His righteousness demands that sin be judged. The imagery of the winepress, steeped in Old Testament prophetic tradition, affirms God's sovereign control over history and His ultimate triumph over all evil. It serves as a powerful theological statement: God will not allow wickedness to prevail indefinitely; there will be a final, decisive reckoning where every act of defiance against Him will be met with righteous retribution. This judgment, though terrifying, is a necessary precursor to the establishment of His perfect, righteous kingdom.
* [Isaiah 63:3](/isaiah/63-3 "God Treading the Winepress Alone")
* [Joel 3:13](/joel/3-13 "The Winepress is Full for Judgment")
* [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Christ Treading the Winepress of God's Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 14:20 is a sobering depiction of divine wrath, serving as a profound warning to all humanity. For those who remain unrepentant and aligned with the forces of evil, this verse highlights the absolute certainty and terrifying severity of God's ultimate justice. It calls for a serious consideration of one's eternal destiny and the urgency of responding to God's gracious call to repentance and faith. For believers, while the imagery is grim, it offers a deep assurance of God's sovereignty and His commitment to finally eradicate all evil and suffering. This certainty should inspire steadfastness in faith, perseverance in the face of tribulation, and a renewed passion for sharing the gospel of salvation, which offers an escape from the wrath to come. It reminds us that our God is not only merciful but also perfectly just, and His kingdom will ultimately prevail in righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the winepress in Revelation 14:20 challenge or deepen my understanding of God's justice and wrath?**
* **What does this verse reveal about the ultimate consequences of rejecting God's grace and aligning with worldly systems?**
* **How should the certainty of divine judgment motivate believers to live faithfully, pursue holiness, and share the gospel with urgency?**

### FAQ

**Is this judgment literal or symbolic?**

Answer: Revelation is an apocalyptic book, rich in **symbolism** and imagery. While the judgment it describes is absolutely real and terrifying, the specific details—such as blood literally flowing for 184 miles up to horse bridles—are best understood as symbolic hyperbole. This vivid imagery is used to convey the immense scale, intensity, and catastrophic nature of God's final wrath, rather than providing a precise literal measurement or physical description. The reality of the judgment is certain, but its portrayal uses powerful, metaphorical language to communicate its overwhelming impact.

**What is the significance of "without the city"?**

Answer: The phrase "without the city" (Greek: _éxō tēs póleōs_) carries multiple layers of significance. Historically, executions and acts of defilement often occurred outside city gates. Theologically, it could symbolize a judgment that is not confined to a specific geographical location (like Jerusalem) but is global in scope, impacting all who are outside the "city" of God's protection. It may also signify a judgment upon those who are spiritually outside of God's covenant people, or even a specific geographical location like the Valley of Jehoshaphat, which is traditionally associated with final judgment in passages like [Joel 3:12](/joel/3-12 "God Judging the Nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat").

**What do "horse bridles" and "1600 furlongs" signify?**

Answer: Both phrases are powerful instances of **hyperbole** and **symbolism** to convey the overwhelming nature of the judgment. "Even unto the horse bridles" emphasizes the unprecedented depth and saturation of the blood, indicating a carnage of unimaginable scale. The "thousand and six hundred furlongs" (approximately 184 miles or 296 kilometers) denotes the vast geographical extent of this judgment. The number 1600 is often seen as symbolically significant in apocalyptic literature (4 x 4 x 10 x 10), representing a complete or universal judgment. It suggests that this final act of divine wrath will be comprehensive, far-reaching, and leave no part of the rebellious earth untouched.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 14:20 graphically depicts God's wrath against sin, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the profound contrast and a deeper understanding of His role. The terrifying imagery of the winepress of wrath underscores the immense price Christ paid to deliver humanity from such a fate. He, the Lamb of God, willingly entered the "winepress" of God's wrath on the cross, shedding His own blood not for judgment, but for atonement. It is the blood of Jesus, poured out at Calvary, that cleanses from all sin and delivers believers from the wrath to come ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Justification by Christ's Blood")). Furthermore, it is Christ Himself who is depicted in [Revelation 19:15](/revelation/19-15 "Christ Treading the Winepress of God's Wrath") as the one who "treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" at His second coming. This reveals that the very One who offered Himself as the atoning sacrifice is also the righteous Judge who will execute final justice. Thus, Revelation 14:20 serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of rejecting the salvation offered through Jesus, emphasizing that apart from His atoning work, humanity faces the full, unmitigated fury of God's righteous judgment. His first coming was to save; His second will be to judge, bringing both salvation to His people and righteous wrath upon His enemies.

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

Lamentations 1:15

The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty [men] in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, [as] in a winepress.

Revelation 19:14

And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Revelation 19:21

And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which [sword] proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

Revelation 11:8

And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Isaiah 63:1

¶ Who [is] this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this [that is] glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.

Isaiah 63:3

I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people [there was] none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.

Isaiah 66:24

And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.