Revelation 16:11

KJV

And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} blasphemed {G987} the God {G2316} of heaven {G3772} because of {G1537} their {G846} pains {G4192} and {G2532}{G1537} their {G846} sores {G1668}, and {G2532} repented {G3340} not {G3756} of {G1537} their {G846} deeds {G2041}.

Complete Jewish Bible

yet they cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and sores, and did not turn from their sinful deeds.

Berean Standard Bible

and curse the God of heaven for their pains and sores; yet they did not repent of their deeds.

American Standard Version

and they blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores; and they repented not of their works.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 16:11 vividly portrays the unyielding rebellion of humanity during the final, severe judgments of God. Despite enduring excruciating physical suffering from divine plagues—specifically intense pains and grievous sores—those afflicted respond not with contrition or a turning toward God, but with intensified blasphemy against the "God of heaven," stubbornly refusing to repent of their wicked deeds. This verse underscores the profound and tragic hardening of human hearts in the face of overwhelming divine wrath, revealing a spiritual obstinacy that prioritizes defiance over deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the apocalyptic narrative of [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowl Judgments"), which describes the pouring out of the seven "bowl" or "vial" judgments. These judgments represent the culmination of God's wrath upon a rebellious world, distinct from the earlier seal and trumpet judgments in their finality and intensity. Specifically, [Revelation 16:11](/revelation/16-11 "Revelation 16:11 - Persistent Blasphemy Amidst Judgment") follows the third and fourth bowls, which brought plagues upon rivers and springs, and scorching heat from the sun, respectively. The "pains and sores" mentioned here directly recall the [first bowl judgment](/revelation/16-2 "Revelation 16:2 - The First Bowl and Grievous Sores"), which inflicted "a noisome and grievous sore" upon those who had the mark of the beast. The persistent blasphemy echoes the response seen earlier in [Revelation 16:9](/revelation/16-9 "Revelation 16:9 - Blasphemy Under the Fourth Bowl"), establishing a consistent pattern of human defiance throughout this period of divine retribution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Revelation, written by John during a time of intense persecution, often draws upon Old Testament imagery and concepts familiar to its first-century Jewish and Gentile Christian readers. The plagues described in [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowl Judgments") bear striking resemblances to the plagues inflicted upon Egypt in the book of Exodus, particularly the plague of boils ([Exodus 9:8-12](/exodus/9-8-12 "Exodus 9:8-12 - The Plague of Boils")). This parallel would have immediately conveyed the idea of God's sovereign power over creation and His righteous judgment against those who oppose Him. Culturally, "blasphemy" (βλασφημία) in the Greco-Roman world, and especially in Jewish thought, was a grave offense, signifying a deliberate insult, slander, or irreverence toward God or sacred things. The refusal to repent, even under duress, highlights a profound spiritual blindness and moral depravity that transcends mere physical suffering, pointing to a will hardened against divine truth.
* **Key Themes:** [Revelation 16:11](/revelation/16-11 "Revelation 16:11 - Persistent Blasphemy Amidst Judgment") profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation and biblical theology. First, it underscores the **severity and justice of God's wrath**, demonstrating that His judgments are not arbitrary but are a righteous response to persistent rebellion and unrepentance. Second, it highlights the **depth of human depravity and spiritual obstinacy**, revealing that even overwhelming suffering does not automatically lead to repentance; rather, it can intensify hatred and defiance toward God. This theme is echoed in other judgment passages, such as [Revelation 9:20-21](/revelation/9-20-21 "Revelation 9:20-21 - Unrepentance After Trumpet Judgments"). Third, the verse emphasizes the **critical importance of repentance** as the only pathway to reconciliation with God, contrasting the unrepentant with those who, throughout Scripture, turn to God in humility. Finally, it speaks to the **ultimate division between those who worship God and those who worship the beast**, a central dichotomy in the book of [Revelation](/revelation/1 "Revelation 1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blasphemed (Greek, _blasphēméō'_):** From G987, meaning "to vilify; specially, to speak impiously." This word signifies more than just cursing; it denotes a deliberate, defiant, and contemptuous disrespect for God. It implies a conscious act of reviling or slandering the divine name, demonstrating a hardened heart that actively opposes God even in the face of His manifest power and judgment.
* **pains (Greek, _pónos'_):** From G4192, meaning "toil, i.e. (by implication) anguish." This refers to severe physical suffering and anguish. The use of this word emphasizes the intensity of the torment experienced by those afflicted, highlighting that even such profound agony did not lead to a change of heart, but rather exacerbated their defiant attitude.
* **repented (Greek, _metanoéō'_):** From G3340, meaning "to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction)." This crucial word signifies a change of mind, a moral turning, or a complete reorientation of one's life and actions away from sin and toward God. The strong negation ("repented not") underscores the deliberate and unyielding refusal of these individuals to acknowledge their sin, turn from their evil ways, or seek God's mercy, despite the clear divine judgment they were experiencing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And blasphemed the God of heaven":** This phrase reveals the direct object of their defiance. Despite experiencing direct divine judgment, their response is not humility or fear, but an open act of blasphemy against the sovereign "God of heaven." This title emphasizes God's supreme authority and transcendence, making their blasphemy an act of ultimate rebellion against the Creator and Judge of all.
* **"because of their pains and their sores":** This clause provides the immediate catalyst for their blasphemy. The excruciating physical suffering, caused by the divine judgments (specifically the first bowl's sores and general anguish), rather than prompting self-reflection or repentance, instead fuels their anger and resentment, leading them to curse the very source of their torment. This demonstrates a profound spiritual blindness where suffering hardens rather than softens the heart.
* **"and repented not of their deeds":** This is the climactic and most tragic part of the verse. Despite the overwhelming evidence of God's power and the direct consequences of their sin, they remain unyielding in their sinful "deeds" (G2041, _érgon_, meaning "toil... an act"). Their refusal to repent signifies a deliberate and final rejection of God's call to turn from wickedness, cementing their fate and illustrating the ultimate spiritual stubbornness of a heart set against God.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 16:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message. **Irony** is prominent, as the very suffering intended by God to bring about repentance instead provokes intensified blasphemy. This highlights the profound spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of those under judgment. The description of "pains and sores" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme nature of the suffering, underscoring that even such overwhelming physical agony fails to break their rebellion. Furthermore, the "sores" themselves function as **Symbolism**, representing the physical manifestation of divine wrath and the corrupting effects of sin, echoing the plagues of Egypt and serving as a visible sign of God's judgment upon those who have embraced evil. The repeated emphasis on "blasphemed" and "repented not" also creates a sense of **Repetition** throughout [Revelation 16](/revelation/16 "Revelation 16 - The Seven Bowl Judgments"), reinforcing the theme of persistent human rebellion in the face of escalating divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 16:11 offers a sobering theological insight into the nature of human depravity and the finality of divine judgment. It reveals that suffering, even when divinely ordained, does not inherently lead to repentance; for those whose hearts are utterly hardened, it can merely intensify their rebellion and hatred toward God. This verse underscores the biblical truth that repentance is a gift of God's grace, requiring a softening of the heart that is often resisted by human will. It highlights the ultimate consequence of rejecting God's persistent calls to turn from sin, demonstrating a point of no return where divine judgment is met with unyielding defiance rather than contrite submission. The phrase "God of heaven" emphasizes God's supreme sovereignty and transcendence, against whom their blasphemy is a futile yet tragic act of defiance.

* [Romans 2:4-5](/romans/2-4-5 "Romans 2:4-5 - Hardness of Heart")
* [2 Peter 3:9](/2_peter/3-9 "2 Peter 3:9 - God's Patience and Desire for Repentance")
* [Luke 13:3](/luke/13-3 "Luke 13:3 - Jesus' Call to Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 16:11 serves as a profound and challenging warning for all who read it, transcending its specific apocalyptic context to reveal timeless truths about the human heart and our response to God. While we may not experience the literal pains and sores of the bowl judgments, we all face consequences for our actions and encounter circumstances that test our faith and character. This verse compels us to examine our own hearts: when difficulties arise, do we blame God, grow bitter, and harden our hearts, or do we humbly seek His face, acknowledge our shortcomings, and turn to Him in repentance? The tragic scene in Revelation 16:11 reminds us that true repentance is not merely regret over suffering, but a fundamental change of mind and direction, a turning away from self-will and toward God's righteous path. It is a vital and ongoing process for the believer, a readiness to align our will with His, even when it is painful or requires significant change. This verse calls us to cultivate a soft heart, responsive to God's voice and His providential workings in our lives, ensuring that our trials lead us closer to Him, not further away.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically respond when I face difficult circumstances or consequences for my actions? Do I tend to blame God or others, or do I examine my own heart and seek to learn from the experience?**
* **What does it mean for me, practically, to "repent of my deeds" in my daily life? Are there areas where I am stubbornly resisting God's call to change?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that is soft and responsive to God's truth, rather than one that becomes hardened by trials or the pursuit of self?**

### FAQ

**Why did these people not repent, even under such severe judgment?**

Answer: The text indicates a profound and deliberate hardening of the heart, a spiritual obstinacy that prioritizes defiance over submission to God. This unrepentance is not merely a lack of understanding but an active rejection of God's authority and a refusal to acknowledge sin, even when faced with its devastating consequences. It illustrates the biblical principle that persistent rebellion can lead to a state where even overwhelming suffering fails to break through spiritual pride and hatred toward God, confirming their choice against Him. This echoes passages like [Romans 2:5](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5 - Hardness of Heart"), which speaks of storing up wrath through an unrepentant heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 16:11, with its stark portrayal of unyielding human rebellion and the refusal to repent, powerfully underscores the absolute necessity and profound grace of Christ's atoning work. In this verse, humanity's ultimate spiritual sickness—a heart so hardened that even divine judgment cannot break its defiance—is laid bare. This unrepentant state is precisely what the gospel addresses. While these individuals choose blasphemy and persistent sin, Jesus Christ offers the antithesis: a path to genuine repentance and forgiveness. His death on the cross was for the very "deeds" (G2041, _érgon_) of sin that these people refused to abandon, and His resurrection provides the power for a new life, free from the dominion of sin and the curse of the law. The call to "repent" (G3340, _metanoéō_) is central to the New Testament message, beginning with John the Baptist and culminating in Christ's own ministry ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel")). The inability of suffering to produce true repentance in Revelation 16:11 highlights that genuine transformation is not a product of human will or external pressure, but a work of the Holy Spirit, made possible only through faith in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Thus, this verse, by showing humanity's ultimate failure to save itself, points us ever more urgently to the complete and sufficient salvation offered in Jesus Christ, who alone can grant the gift of repentance and a new heart ([Acts 5:31](/acts/5-31 "Acts 5:31 - Jesus, Giver of Repentance")).

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

Revelation 16:9

And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Revelation 11:13

And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Revelation 16:21

And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, [every stone] about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

Revelation 16:2

And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and [upon] them which worshipped his image.

Revelation 2:21

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Ezra 5:11

And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up.

Ezra 5:12

But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.