Revelation 17:15

KJV

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} he saith {G3004} unto me {G3427}, The waters {G5204} which {G3739} thou sawest {G1492}, where {G3757} the whore {G4204} sitteth {G2521}, are {G1526} peoples {G2992}, and {G2532} multitudes {G3793}, and {G2532} nations {G1484}, and {G2532} tongues {G1100}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then he said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the whore is sitting, are peoples, crowds, nations and languages.

Berean Standard Bible

Then the angel said to me, “The waters you saw, where the prostitute was seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues.

American Standard Version

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 17:15 provides a crucial divine interpretation of one of the book's most enigmatic symbols: the "waters" upon which the "great whore" is seated. An angel explains to John that these waters represent "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues," unequivocally clarifying that the influence and dominion of the harlot, often understood as a corrupt spiritual or political power, is not confined to a single locality but extends globally, encompassing a vast and diverse human population across the earth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 17 opens with one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls inviting John to witness the judgment of the "great whore that sitteth upon many waters" [Revelation 17:1](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1 - The Great Harlot Judged"). This chapter is a pivotal interlude, providing a detailed exposition of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity introduced earlier and whose fall is extensively prophesied in subsequent chapters. Verse 15 serves as a direct, authoritative clarification from the angelic guide, demystifying the "many waters" symbol and setting the stage for understanding the global reach and ultimate demise of this oppressive power. It is a key interpretive moment, ensuring that the reader grasps the universal scope of the harlot's influence before her judgment is fully detailed.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Revelation was written during a period of intense persecution of Christians, likely under the Roman Emperor Domitian. The imagery of a "whore" sitting on "many waters" would have resonated with contemporary audiences familiar with the city of Rome, which was built on seven hills and often depicted as a powerful, dominant empire. Furthermore, the Old Testament frequently uses the metaphor of a harlot to describe nations or cities that have committed spiritual idolatry or political treachery against God (e.g., [Isaiah 23:15-17](/isaiah/23-15-17 "Isaiah 23:15-17 - Tyre as a Harlot")). The "waters" in ancient Near Eastern apocalyptic literature and prophecy often symbolized chaotic forces, nations, or large populations (e.g., [Psalm 18:16](/psalm/18-16 "Psalm 18:16 - God Rescues David from Many Waters") or [Jeremiah 51:13](/jeremiah/51-13 "Jeremiah 51:13 - Babylon by Many Waters")). Thus, the angel's interpretation in Revelation 17:15 aligns with established biblical symbolism, making the global nature of the "whore's" power clear to its original audience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes in Revelation. Firstly, it underscores the **global influence and dominion** of the anti-God forces, emphasizing that the "whore's" reach extends beyond any single nation or empire to encompass all humanity. This theme is echoed elsewhere, such as in the beast's authority over "every tribe, and people, and tongue, and nation" ([Revelation 13:7](/revelation/13-7 "Revelation 13:7 - The Beast's Authority")). Secondly, it highlights the **importance of divine interpretation** within apocalyptic literature. Revelation is rich in symbolism, and the angel's direct explanation here is a crucial example of God providing clarity to His prophetic visions, ensuring His message is understood. Finally, the verse reinforces the theme of the **pervasive nature of deception and spiritual corruption**, illustrating how widely such systems can spread and ensnare diverse populations, requiring believers to be vigilant and discerning in a world subject to such influences.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **waters (Greek, _hýdōr'_):** Literally meaning "water," this term is used here symbolically. In biblical prophecy, "waters" often represent peoples, nations, or even chaos and destructive forces. The angel's interpretation in this verse confirms its symbolic meaning as a vast collection of humanity, providing the foundation and support for the harlot's power.
* **whore (Greek, _pórnē'_):** This word refers to a "harlot" or "strumpet." Figuratively, it is used to denote an "idolater" or one who is spiritually unfaithful. In Revelation, "the great whore" symbolizes a system or entity that has committed spiritual adultery against God, often associated with idolatry, economic exploitation, and persecution of God's people, embodying profound moral and spiritual corruption.
* **tongues (Greek, _glōssa'_):** While literally meaning "tongue," this term by implication refers to a "language." Its inclusion in the list "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" serves to emphasize the extreme diversity and global reach of the populations under the influence of the "whore," signifying that no linguistic group is exempt from her pervasive sway.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he saith unto me":** This phrase indicates the continuation of the angelic explanation to John, emphasizing that the following interpretation is divinely revealed and authoritative, not John's own deduction.
* **"The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth":** This refers back to the initial vision presented in [Revelation 17:1](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1 - The Great Harlot Upon Many Waters"), explicitly identifying the symbolic element that is about to be explained. The "waters" are the foundation or source of the "whore's" power and influence.
* **"are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues":** This is the direct, unambiguous interpretation of the symbol. The four terms are cumulative, signifying a comprehensive, universal scope. "Peoples" (laos) refers to distinct ethnic or national groups; "multitudes" (ochlos) denotes large, undifferentiated crowds or masses; "nations" (ethnos) refers to all the gentile nations of the world, often implying pagan or non-Jewish peoples; and "tongues" (glossa) signifies linguistic diversity. Together, they powerfully convey that the "whore's" dominion is global, extending over every segment of humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 17:15 primarily employs **Symbolism**, where the "waters" are not literal bodies of water but represent vast human populations. This is immediately followed by **Explication** or **Interpretation**, a crucial device in apocalyptic literature where a divine messenger explicitly reveals the meaning of a symbol, ensuring the audience's understanding. The angel's direct statement, "The waters... are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues," is a clear instance of this. The use of four distinct but overlapping terms—"peoples," "multitudes," "nations," and "tongues"—is a form of **Merism** or **Comprehensive Listing**, a rhetorical device where a totality is expressed by listing its constituent parts, thereby emphasizing the universal and all-encompassing nature of the "whore's" influence. The **Metaphor** of the "whore" itself, representing a corrupt system, is foundational to the chapter, and the interpretation of the waters further clarifies the scope of this metaphorical entity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 17:15 profoundly impacts our understanding of the nature of spiritual conflict and God's sovereignty. The angel's direct interpretation of the "waters" as "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues" reveals that the power and influence of "Babylon the Great" are not merely localized or confined to a specific historical empire, but are global and pervasive, drawing strength from the vastness of humanity. This highlights the universal scope of spiritual deception and rebellion against God, emphasizing that corrupt systems can arise and exert influence across all cultures and societies. Yet, it also implicitly underscores the ultimate sovereignty of God, who alone can unveil such mysteries and who will ultimately judge these global forces, demonstrating His dominion over all "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."

* [Revelation 13:7](/revelation/13-7 "Revelation 13:7 - The Beast's Authority Over Every Tribe, People, Language, and Nation")
* [Daniel 7:2-3](/daniel/7-2-3 "Daniel 7:2-3 - Four Great Beasts from the Great Sea")
* [Isaiah 8:7](/isaiah/8-7 "Isaiah 8:7 - Waters of the River, Strong and Many")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 17:15 calls believers to a profound awareness of the spiritual realities at play in the world. Understanding that the "waters" represent "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues" means that the forces of spiritual corruption and opposition to God are not limited to a single political regime or a specific historical period, but are deeply embedded within the fabric of global human society. This necessitates spiritual discernment, urging us to recognize subtle and overt forms of idolatry, materialism, and anti-God ideologies that permeate cultures worldwide. It reinforces the urgency of the Great Commission, as the very "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues" from which the "whore" draws her power are also the very ones to whom the Gospel must be proclaimed. Ultimately, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that while deception is global, God's truth and His ultimate victory are even more expansive, providing hope and a call to faithful witness amidst a world often ensnared by spiritual darkness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the global reach of "Babylon the Great" (as symbolized by the waters) impact your view of current world events and cultural trends?**
* **In what ways might spiritual deception manifest in "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues" today, and how can believers cultivate greater discernment?**
* **Given the pervasive nature of the "whore's" influence, what specific actions can you take to "come out of her" ([Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Her, My People")) in your own life and community?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the angel explicitly interpreting the symbol of the waters?**

Answer: The explicit interpretation by the angel in [Revelation 17:15](/revelation/17-15 "Revelation 17:15 - The Waters are Peoples") is highly significant because it provides a direct, divine key to understanding a complex prophetic symbol. Apocalyptic literature, like Revelation, is rich in symbolic imagery that can be difficult to interpret without guidance. By having an angel clarify that the "waters" are "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues," God ensures that the reader grasps the global and universal nature of the "whore's" influence, leaving no room for misinterpretation regarding the scope of this spiritual enemy. This interpretive act underscores God's desire for His people to understand His prophetic message and the spiritual realities it describes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 17:15 describes the global reach of a corrupt, anti-God system, it simultaneously highlights the ultimate and contrasting dominion of Christ. The "waters" representing "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" are the very populations over whom the "whore" seeks to exert her influence. Yet, it is precisely these diverse groups that Christ came to redeem and gather into His kingdom. The Great Commission, given by Jesus Himself, commands His followers to "go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" ([Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). This universal mission directly counters the global deception of the "whore." Furthermore, the ultimate vision of heaven in Revelation depicts the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, as worthy to receive worship from "every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" ([Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "Revelation 5:9 - The Lamb Redeems People from Every Tribe, Language, People, and Nation")). Thus, while the "whore" draws her power from the masses, Christ's victory ensures that these very "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues" will ultimately bow the knee to Him, fulfilling His sovereign reign over all creation ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

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 17:1

¶ And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Jeremiah 51:13

O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, [and] the measure of thy covetousness.

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:

Isaiah 8:8

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach [even] to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

Jeremiah 51:55

Because the LORD hath spoiled Babylon, and destroyed out of her the great voice; when her waves do roar like great waters, a noise of their voice is uttered:

Revelation 10:11

And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

Revelation 11:9

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.