Revelation 16:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the first {G4413} went {G565}, and {G2532} poured out {G1632} his {G846} vial {G5357} upon {G1909} the earth {G1093}; and {G2532} there fell {G1096} a noisome {G2556} and {G2532} grievous {G4190} sore {G1668} upon {G1519} the men {G444} which {G3588} had {G2192} the mark {G5480} of the beast {G2342}, and {G2532} upon them which worshipped {G4352} his {G846} image {G1504}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So the first one went and poured his bowl onto the earth, and disgusting and painful sores appeared on all the people who had the mark of the beast and worshipped its image.

Berean Standard Bible

So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.

American Standard Version

And the first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth; and it became a noisome and grievous sore upon the men that had the mark of the beast, and that worshipped his image.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 16:2 initiates the series of seven bowl judgments, depicting the immediate and devastating consequence of the first angel pouring out his vial upon the earth. This specific plague manifests as a painful and repulsive sore, targeting exclusively those individuals who have received the mark of the beast and have actively engaged in the worship of its image, thereby underscoring the precise and retributive nature of divine justice in the eschatological narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 16:2 is the opening act of the "seven last plagues," introduced in [Revelation 15:1](/revelation/15-1 "Revelation 15:1 - The Seven Last Plagues"). These judgments represent the culmination of God's wrath, following the more localized and partial judgments of the seven seals ([Revelation 6](/revelation/6 "Revelation 6 - The Seven Seals")) and the seven trumpets ([Revelation 8-9](/revelation/8 "Revelation 8-9 - The Seven Trumpets")). While previous judgments affected only a portion of the earth or humanity, the bowl judgments appear to be more comprehensive, severe, and definitive, directly preceding the final overthrow of Babylon and the beast's kingdom. This verse sets the tone for the remaining bowls, indicating that God's judgment is not indiscriminate but specifically directed towards those who have defiantly aligned themselves with the forces of evil.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of plagues and sores draws heavily from Old Testament narratives, particularly the plagues inflicted upon Egypt in the book of Exodus. The "noisome and grievous sore" directly recalls the sixth Egyptian plague of boils ([Exodus 9:9-11](/exodus/9-9-11 "Exodus 9:9-11 - The Plague of Boils")). This intertextual connection would have resonated deeply with John's Jewish-Christian audience, signifying God's sovereign power over creation and His historical precedent of delivering His people through acts of judgment against their oppressors. In the Greco-Roman world, skin diseases were often seen as divine curses or signs of impurity, making such an affliction particularly humiliating and isolating. The specific targeting of those with the "mark of the beast" also reflects the pervasive practice of branding slaves or soldiers with marks of allegiance in the ancient world, making the spiritual allegiance to the beast a clear parallel to earthly servitude.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Retribution and Justice**, demonstrating that God's judgments are not arbitrary but are righteous responses to human rebellion and idolatry, specifically targeting those who have chosen to defy Him by accepting the [mark of the beast](/revelation/13-16-18 "Revelation 13:16-18 - The Mark of the Beast") and worshipping its image. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Consequences of Idolatry and Spiritual Allegiance**, illustrating that giving ultimate devotion to anything other than God—in this case, the beast and its system—incurs severe divine displeasure and tangible suffering. Finally, the "noisome and grievous sore" underscores the theme of **Physical Manifestation of Spiritual Corruption**, where the outward physical affliction serves as a visible sign of the deep spiritual disease that has consumed those who reject God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sore (Greek, _hélkos'_):** From G1668, meaning an ulcer or boil. This term denotes a painful, festering, and often disfiguring ailment. Its use here immediately evokes the sixth plague upon Egypt, emphasizing the severity and repugnance of the divine judgment.
* **mark (Greek, _cháragma'_):** From G5480, meaning a scratch, etching, or stamp, often as a badge of servitude. In Revelation, it signifies allegiance to the beast, a visible and spiritual identification with its anti-God system, implying ownership and loyalty.
* **image (Greek, _eikṓn'_):** From G1504, meaning a likeness, statue, profile, or representation. In this context, it refers to the idol or representation of the beast that its followers are compelled to worship, symbolizing the false religion and idolatry propagated by the beast's kingdom.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth;":** This phrase introduces the immediate action of the first angel. The "vial" (Greek: _phiálē_, G5357) is a shallow bowl, suggesting a swift and complete outpouring of its contents. The pouring "upon the earth" (Greek: _epí tēn gēn_, G1909 G1093) indicates a widespread, foundational impact, affecting the very ground and the inhabitants upon it. This signifies the beginning of a decisive, comprehensive judgment.
* **"and there fell a noisome and grievous sore":** This describes the direct result of the vial's outpouring. The verb "fell" (Greek: _egéneto_, G1096) indicates an immediate and unavoidable appearance. The "sore" (Greek: _hélkos_, G1668) is qualified by "noisome" (Greek: _kakós_, G2556) and "grievous" (Greek: _ponērós_, G4190). _Kakós_ denotes intrinsic badness or worthlessness, while _ponērós_ implies active harmfulness or malignancy. Together, they describe a deeply unpleasant, painful, and malignant affliction, a physical manifestation of divine wrath.
* **"upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and [upon] them which worshipped his image.":** This clause precisely identifies the targets of this plague. It is not indiscriminate but specifically affects those who have embraced the antichrist system: those who "had the mark of the beast" (Greek: _échontas to cháragma tou thēríou_, G2192 G5480 G2342) and those who "worshipped his image" (Greek: _proskynountas tēn eikóna autou_, G4352 G1504 G846). This highlights the retributive nature of the judgment, directly linking the suffering to their allegiance and idolatry, emphasizing that their choices have direct, painful consequences.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 16:2 employs several potent literary devices. **Allusion** is prominent, with the "noisome and grievous sore" directly recalling the plague of boils in [Exodus 9:9-11](/exodus/9-9-11 "Exodus 9:9-11 - The Plague of Boils"), thereby connecting God's end-time judgments to His historical acts of deliverance and judgment against oppressors. **Symbolism** is central, where the "vial" symbolizes the full measure of God's wrath, the "sore" symbolizes the physical manifestation of spiritual corruption and divine displeasure, and the "mark of the beast" and "his image" symbolize the ultimate allegiance to evil and idolatry. The precise targeting of the plague also demonstrates **Retribution**, where the punishment directly fits the crime of spiritual rebellion and false worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 16:2 profoundly underscores the theological truth of God's perfect justice and His unwavering commitment to righteousness. This judgment is not a random act of violence, but a precise, righteous, and severe consequence for those who have definitively chosen rebellion against God and allegiance to His spiritual adversary. It highlights the ultimate futility and destructive nature of idolatry, demonstrating that worship given to anything other than the Creator leads to spiritual and, ultimately, physical devastation. The targeting of those with the "mark of the beast" and its worshippers reveals that divine judgment is highly discerning, separating the wicked from the righteous and affirming that God sees and responds to every act of defiance. This passage serves as a stark warning about the eternal consequences of rejecting God's sovereignty and embracing the systems of the world that stand in opposition to Him.

* [Exodus 9:9-11](/exodus/9-9-11 "Exodus 9:9-11 - The Plague of Boils in Egypt")
* [Deuteronomy 28:27](/deuteronomy/28-27 "Deuteronomy 28:27 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Revelation 13:16-18](/revelation/13-16-18 "Revelation 13:16-18 - The Mark of the Beast")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 16:2, while describing a future apocalyptic event, carries profound and timeless implications for believers today. It serves as a solemn reminder that choices have eternal consequences, and that allegiance to anything other than God ultimately leads to destruction. For those living in a world that increasingly pressures conformity to secular or anti-Christian ideologies, this verse is a powerful call to spiritual discernment and unwavering faithfulness. It challenges us to examine our own allegiances: where do we place our ultimate trust, devotion, and identity? Are we subtly or overtly aligning ourselves with systems that oppose God's truth, or are we resolutely committed to Christ? This passage offers both a stark warning against rebellion and a comforting assurance for the faithful, knowing that God is just and will ultimately bring perfect retribution upon all evil, vindicating His saints and establishing His righteous kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, even subtly, be tempted to compromise our allegiance to Christ in favor of worldly systems or ideologies?**
* **How does the certainty of God's future judgment inform our present-day commitment to holiness and evangelism?**
* **What comfort can believers find in the knowledge that God's judgments are precise and just, even amidst the apparent triumph of evil in the world?**

### FAQ

**What is the "mark of the beast" and why is it so significant in this judgment?**

Answer: The "mark of the beast" (Greek: _cháragma tou thēríou_) is a symbolic and literal identifier of allegiance to the antichrist system, as described in [Revelation 13:16-18](/revelation/13-16-18 "Revelation 13:16-18 - The Mark of the Beast"). It is presented as a necessary requirement for economic participation and social acceptance within the beast's global dominion. Its significance in Revelation 16:2 is paramount because it explicitly defines the target of this first plague: only those who have willingly received this mark and worshipped the beast's image are afflicted. This demonstrates God's precise and righteous judgment, distinguishing between those who have defiantly rejected Him and those who have remained faithful, even unto death ([Revelation 14:9-12](/revelation/14-9-12 "Revelation 14:9-12 - Warning Against the Mark")). The mark represents a conscious and public declaration of loyalty to the beast, making those who bear it legitimate recipients of God's wrath.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 16:2 describes a future outpouring of divine wrath, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment lies in the vindication of God's justice through Jesus Christ, who is the righteous Judge and the ultimate Victor over all evil. The "noisome and grievous sore" poured out upon the beast's worshippers foreshadows the complete and final defeat of sin, Satan, and all who oppose God, a victory decisively secured by Christ's atoning work on the cross and His glorious resurrection. Through His sacrifice, Jesus bore the full weight of God's wrath against sin, allowing those who trust in Him to escape the judgments described in Revelation. The judgment upon those with the mark of the beast highlights the ultimate triumph of the Lamb of God over all earthly and demonic powers ([Revelation 17:14](/revelation/17-14 "Revelation 17:14 - The Lamb's Victory")). Ultimately, Christ's return will usher in a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")), and all who bear His name, rather than the mark of the beast, will dwell eternally in His presence, free from suffering and judgment ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3-4 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")). Thus, this passage, though grim, ultimately points to the glory of Christ's reign and the security of those redeemed by His blood.

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 8:7

¶ The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

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 13:18

Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.

Revelation 16:11

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

Deuteronomy 28:27

The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

Exodus 9:8

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.

Exodus 9:11

And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.