Revelation 16:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G3754} they have shed {G1632} the blood {G129} of saints {G40} and {G2532} prophets {G4396}, and {G2532} thou hast given {G1325} them {G846} blood {G129} to drink {G4095}; for {G1063} they are {G1526} worthy {G514}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They poured out the blood of your people and your prophets,
so you have made them drink blood. They deserve it!”

Berean Standard Bible

For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.”

American Standard Version

for they poured out the blood of saints and prophets, and blood hast thou given them to drink: they are worthy.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 16:6 presents a divine justification for the severe judgment of the third bowl of wrath, where fresh water is turned to blood. It declares that those who have persecuted and martyred God's faithful "saints and prophets" are now justly receiving a reciprocal judgment: they are given blood to drink, for their actions have made them entirely deserving of this righteous retribution. This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and the ultimate vindication of His suffering people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is spoken by the "angel of the waters" immediately after the third bowl of God's wrath is poured out, turning all rivers and springs into blood ([Revelation 16:4](/revelation/16-4 "Revelation 16:4 - The Third Bowl of Wrath")). The preceding verses describe the first two bowls: grievous sores upon those with the mark of the beast ([Revelation 16:2](/revelation/16-2 "Revelation 16:2 - The First Bowl of Wrath")) and the sea turning to blood, killing all sea creatures ([Revelation 16:3](/revelation/16-3 "Revelation 16:3 - The Second Bowl of Wrath")). Following this angelic declaration, another angel from the altar confirms the righteousness of this judgment, proclaiming, "Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments" ([Revelation 16:7](/revelation/16-7 "Revelation 16:7 - Angel from the Altar Confirms Justice")). This structure emphasizes the divine approval and inherent justice of these catastrophic events, portraying them not as arbitrary destruction but as a precise, deserved response to human wickedness, particularly the persecution of God's people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of "shedding blood" and "drinking blood" resonates deeply with Old Testament prophetic condemnations of violence and idolatry. Throughout history, the people of God, including prophets and righteous individuals, often faced intense persecution from oppressive regimes and ungodly powers. The Roman Empire, the dominant power during John's time, was known for its persecution of Christians, demanding emperor worship and punishing those who refused. This verse taps into a long history of martyrdom, from Abel's blood crying out from the ground ([Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Cries Out")) to the prophets murdered in Jerusalem ([Matthew 23:37](/matthew/23-37 "Matthew 23:37 - Jerusalem, Killer of Prophets")). The idea of a just recompense, where the punishment fits the crime, was a recognized principle of ancient justice, often seen in the concept of *lex talionis* (though here applied by God on a cosmic scale). The turning of water into blood also subtly echoes the first plague in Egypt ([Exodus 7:17-21](/exodus/7-17-21 "Exodus 7:17-21 - The First Plague: Water to Blood")), signifying a judgment against a rebellious, oppressive power.

* **Key Themes:** Revelation 16:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Revelation and biblical theology. Primarily, it highlights the theme of **Divine Retribution and Poetic Justice**, demonstrating that God's judgments are not random acts of wrath but precise, righteous responses to specific sins. Those who have caused bloodshed are now forced to experience a form of it themselves, illustrating the principle that "whatever one sows, that will he also reap" ([Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **God's Absolute Righteousness and Justice**. The declaration "for they are worthy" underscores that God's actions are morally unimpeachable and perfectly deserved by the wicked. This provides assurance to believers that God is indeed a just judge who "will judge the world in righteousness" ([Psalm 9:8](/psalm/9-8 "Psalm 9:8 - God Judges in Righteousness")). Finally, it speaks to the **Vindication of Suffering Saints**. The mention of "saints and prophets" acknowledges the long history of faithful believers who have suffered and died for their testimony. Their blood, symbolically crying out for justice ([Revelation 6:10](/revelation/6-10 "Revelation 6:10 - The Cry of the Martyrs")), is now being avenged, assuring God's people that their suffering is seen, remembered, and will ultimately be vindicated by the sovereign Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shed (Greek, _ekchéō_):** This verb, G1632, means "to pour forth" or "to gush out." In this context, it specifically denotes the violent act of spilling blood, often implying murder or sacrifice. Its usage here emphasizes the deliberate and forceful nature of the persecution carried out by the wicked against God's people, portraying it as a wanton outpouring of innocent life.
* **blood (Greek, _haîma_):** As G129, "blood" literally refers to the vital fluid, but biblically it carries immense theological weight. It signifies life itself (as in "the life of the flesh is in the blood" - [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life is in the Blood")), and often represents violent death, guilt, or atonement. Here, "blood of saints and prophets" refers to their martyred lives, while "blood to drink" signifies a judgment that mirrors the violence they inflicted, a form of retributive justice where the very essence of life, now corrupted by their actions, becomes their punishment.
* **worthy (Greek, _áxios_):** This adjective, G514, means "deserving," "fitting," or "comparable." When an angel declares the wicked "are worthy" of drinking blood, it powerfully conveys that the punishment is not arbitrary but precisely what is due to them. Their actions have accumulated such a debt of guilt and injustice that this severe judgment is a perfectly appropriate and morally justified recompense, aligning with divine righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets":** This initial clause provides the foundational reason for the divine judgment. It explicitly states the egregious sin committed by those upon whom wrath is poured out: the violent murder of God's holy people ("saints") and His inspired messengers ("prophets"). This highlights the long history of persecution endured by God's faithful, from Old Testament prophets to New Testament martyrs, emphasizing the cumulative nature of their sin and the depth of their offense against God's chosen ones.
* **"and thou hast given them blood to drink":** This clause describes the specific nature of the judgment, directly linking it to the sin committed. The divine "thou" (God) is the active agent in dispensing this retribution. The imagery of "blood to drink" is a vivid and horrifying picture of poetic justice, where the perpetrators are forced to consume the very substance they so wantonly spilled. It signifies a judgment that is both literal (as the waters turn to blood) and symbolic, representing their forced consumption of the consequences of their own violence and guilt.
* **"for they are worthy":** This concluding declaration serves as the ultimate divine justification and affirmation of the judgment's righteousness. The angelic voice confirms that the wicked are indeed "worthy" or deserving of this fate. This phrase underscores the moral rectitude and perfect equity of God's actions, assuring that the judgment is not arbitrary but a just and fitting recompense for their profound wickedness and their persecution of God's people.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 16:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of divine justice. **Poetic Justice** is the most prominent, as the punishment directly mirrors the crime: those who "shed the blood" of saints are made to "drink blood." This vivid **Imagery** of blood, used both for the martyrs' sacrifice and the judgment, creates a visceral connection between the sin and its consequence, emphasizing the horror and deservedness of the retribution. The verse also uses **Personification** implicitly, as the "blood" of the saints and prophets, though not literally crying out, is the basis for divine action, echoing the earlier plea of the martyrs' souls under the altar ([Revelation 6:10](/revelation/6-10 "Revelation 6:10 - The Cry of the Martyrs")). The **Repetition** of "blood" reinforces its central role in both the transgression and the judgment. Furthermore, the angelic declaration acts as a **Divine Pronouncement**, lending absolute authority and certainty to the righteousness of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the biblical principle of divine retribution, emphasizing that God's justice is neither blind nor arbitrary, but perfectly aligned with the actions of humanity. It reveals a God who meticulously records every act of injustice, especially the shedding of innocent blood, and will ultimately bring about a just recompense. This serves as a powerful assurance to those who suffer persecution for their faith, reminding them that their tears and sacrifices are not forgotten but form the very basis for God's righteous intervention. The judgment is not merely punishment but a demonstration of God's holy character, His unwavering commitment to righteousness, and His ultimate vindication of His people against all who oppose Him.

* [Psalm 9:12](/psalm/9-12 "Psalm 9:12 - God Remembers the Blood")
* [Matthew 23:35](/matthew/23-35 "Matthew 23:35 - All Righteous Blood")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 16:6 offers a profound and sobering truth for believers and the world. For those who are persecuted or suffer injustice for their faith, it provides immense comfort and hope. It assures us that God sees every tear, hears every cry, and remembers every sacrifice. Our suffering is not in vain, and the injustices we face will not go unpunished. This should strengthen our resolve to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of opposition, knowing that our ultimate vindication comes from the righteous Judge of all the earth. For those who might be tempted to compromise their faith or participate in systems of injustice, this verse serves as a stark warning: God's justice is sure, and those who shed innocent blood or oppress the righteous will face a terrifying and perfectly deserved judgment. It calls us to live righteously, to champion justice, and to trust in God's perfect timing for the ultimate resolution of all wrongs.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "poetic justice" in this verse deepen your understanding of God's character and His approach to sin?**
* **In what ways does this verse offer comfort and encouragement to believers who are currently experiencing persecution or injustice?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live in light of God's coming justice, both in standing for righteousness and in trusting His timing?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse imply that God literally makes people drink blood?**

Answer: While the imagery is stark and visceral, Revelation often employs **symbolism** to convey spiritual realities and divine judgments. The turning of literal water into blood ([Revelation 16:4](/revelation/16-4 "Revelation 16:4 - The Third Bowl of Wrath")) suggests a literal fulfillment of the plague, making "blood to drink" a terrifying reality. However, it also carries a profound symbolic meaning: those who have spilled innocent blood are now forced to consume the very essence of their sin and its consequences. It signifies that the judgment is a direct, fitting, and inescapable recompense for their violent actions, a taste of their own evil. It is a powerful illustration of **retributive justice**, where the punishment perfectly matches the crime.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 16:6, with its declaration of divine judgment for the shedding of innocent blood, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While this verse speaks of God's righteous vengeance against those who persecute His people, it is through Christ that God's justice is both satisfied and perfectly executed. Jesus himself is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), whose own innocent blood was shed not for judgment but for the atonement of sins, offering a way of escape from the very wrath described in Revelation. His crucifixion was the ultimate act of "shedding blood" by wicked hands, yet God turned it into the means of salvation. Therefore, the judgment described in Revelation 16:6 is ultimately against those who reject the atoning blood of Christ and persist in their rebellion and persecution. It highlights that while God's justice demands a reckoning for spilled blood, the only true refuge from this judgment is found in the one whose blood was shed to bring reconciliation and peace ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, Christ is both the righteous one whose followers' blood is avenged, and the merciful Savior whose blood offers forgiveness, making the wicked "worthy" of judgment only if they refuse His saving grace ([John 3:18](/john/3-18 "John 3:18 - Condemnation for Unbelief")).

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 49:26

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Revelation 11:18

And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

Revelation 6:10

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Revelation 6:11

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.

Revelation 18:24

And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Luke 11:49

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and [some] of them they shall slay and persecute:

Luke 11:50

That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation;