Revelation 17:18

KJV

And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the woman {G1135} which {G3739} thou sawest {G1492} is {G2076} that great {G3173} city {G4172}, which {G3588} reigneth {G2192}{G932} over {G1909} the kings {G935} of the earth {G1093}.

Complete Jewish Bible

And the woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

Berean Standard Bible

And the woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth.”

American Standard Version

And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 17:18 serves as the climactic interpretive key within the vision of the great harlot, definitively identifying the mysterious woman seen riding the scarlet beast as "that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." This verse unveils the symbolic identity of "Babylon the Great," revealing it to be a powerful, dominant urban entity or system that exerts immense political, economic, and spiritual authority over worldly rulers, setting the stage for its dramatic and inevitable judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 17 presents a profound and disturbing vision of a woman, described as a "great harlot," seated on many waters and riding a scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns. This woman is richly adorned but also drunk with the blood of saints and martyrs. Throughout the chapter, she is explicitly named "Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth" ([Revelation 17:5](/revelation/17-5 "Revelation 17:5 - Babylon the Great")). The angel provides John with an interpretation of the beast and its heads and horns ([Revelation 17:7-17](/revelation/17-7-17 "Revelation 17:7-17 - Interpretation of the Beast and its Horns")), culminating in the direct identification of the woman in verse 18. This verse acts as the crucial disclosure, transitioning from the symbolic description to a concrete (though still potentially allegorical) identification, which then directly precedes the detailed account of Babylon's fall in [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the 1st century AD, when Revelation was written, the dominant global power was the Roman Empire. Rome was known for its vast territorial control, its immense wealth derived from conquest and trade, its pervasive pagan idolatry, and its brutal persecution of Christians. Emperors like Nero and Domitian demanded divine worship, and refusal often led to martyrdom. The imagery of a "harlot" for a city or nation was a common prophetic trope in the Old Testament, used to describe spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, and alliances with foreign powers, as seen in passages concerning Jerusalem or Tyre (e.g., [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - Jerusalem's Unfaithfulness") or [Isaiah 23](/isaiah/23 "Isaiah 23 - Prophecy Against Tyre")). The name "Babylon" itself carried significant historical weight, evoking the ancient Mesopotamian empire known for its pride, rebellion against God, and its role in the exile of God's people, making it a powerful symbol for any oppressive world system that stands against God's kingdom and persecutes His people.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Revelation. Firstly, it provides a definitive **Identification of Symbolic Babylon**, resolving much of the mystery surrounding the harlot's identity and confirming that the "woman" is not merely an abstract concept but represents a concrete entity with immense influence. Secondly, the phrase "which reigneth over the kings of the earth" underscores the theme of **Global Dominion and Corruption**. It highlights the pervasive political, economic, and spiritual influence of this city, portraying it as a corrupt system that dominates world powers and stands in opposition to God's righteous kingdom. This dominion foreshadows its ultimate judgment. Finally, the verse exemplifies the theme of **Divine Interpretation and Revelation's Clarity**. While much of Revelation is highly symbolic, God frequently provides specific interpretations through angelic messengers (as also seen in [Revelation 1:20](/revelation/1-20 "Revelation 1:20 - Interpretation of the Seven Stars and Lampstands")), ensuring that the core messages regarding His sovereignty, judgment, and ultimate victory are understood by His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woman (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** (G1135) This term refers to a female, but in prophetic literature, it often symbolizes a community, a city, or a religious/political entity. In Revelation 17, the "woman" is personified, adorned, and acts with agency, representing a powerful system or entity. Her identity as a "great city" in this verse clarifies that the symbolic "woman" is not a literal individual but a powerful urban center or the system it embodies.
* **Great (Greek, _mégas'_):** (G3173) This adjective signifies something large in size, power, importance, or influence. When applied to the "city," it emphasizes its immense stature, global reach, and significant impact on the world stage. It is not merely a city, but a preeminent one, distinguishing it from other cities and highlighting its unparalleled authority and wealth, which contribute to its corrupting influence.
* **Reigneth (Greek, _échō'_):** (G2192) The verb `échō` means "to have" or "to hold." In this context, it is used in conjunction with "kingship" (G932, `basileía`) to convey the idea of "having kingship" or "exercising royal power." This signifies more than mere influence; it implies a dominant, sovereign authority that this city wields over the "kings of the earth," indicating a form of imperial control or hegemonic power that dictates the actions of nations and their rulers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the woman which thou sawest":** This opening clause directly refers back to the central figure of the vision introduced at the beginning of [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Woman and the Beast"). The angel is providing John with the definitive interpretation of this mysterious figure, linking the symbolic representation to its real-world counterpart.
* **"is that great city":** This is the pivotal identification. The symbolic "woman" is unequivocally declared to be a "great city." This statement provides the concrete referent for the complex symbolism of the preceding verses, clarifying that the harlot's identity is tied to a powerful urban center, whether literal or representative of a system headquartered there. The term "great" underscores its significant power and influence.
* **"which reigneth over the kings of the earth":** This final clause describes the nature of the "great city's" power and dominion. It indicates a supreme authority that extends globally, influencing and controlling the rulers and nations of the world. This is not just a city among others, but one that exercises a form of imperial or hegemonic sway, dictating terms to earthly powers and embodying a corrupt world system opposed to God's kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 17:18 primarily employs **Symbolism** and **Allegory** by providing the key to understanding the complex imagery presented earlier in the chapter. The "woman" is a symbol, and this verse reveals her allegorical meaning as a "great city." The phrase "great city" itself is a powerful **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the city stands in for the entire political, economic, and spiritual system it embodies and controls. The description of this city as "reigning over the kings of the earth" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize its overwhelming global dominance, while also serving as a clear **Prophetic Interpretation**, a direct divine explanation of a previously enigmatic symbol, a characteristic feature of apocalyptic literature to ensure understanding of its core messages.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 17:18 is profoundly significant as it unmasks the true nature of the oppressive world system symbolized by "Babylon the Great." Theologically, it affirms God's sovereign knowledge and ultimate control over human history, even over the most powerful and corrupt earthly empires. By identifying the "woman" as a dominant city, the text highlights the inherent danger of worldly power, wealth, and influence when they are divorced from God and used to oppose His people. This "great city" represents the culmination of human rebellion, idolatry, and persecution, embodying all that stands against the divine order. Its explicit identification sets the stage for the dramatic judgment described in the subsequent chapter, underscoring the certainty of divine justice against all forms of unrighteousness and oppression.

* [Jeremiah 51:7](/jeremiah/51-7 "Jeremiah 51:7 - Babylon, a Golden Cup") - "Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad." (Connects Babylon's intoxicating influence on nations)
* [Isaiah 23:17](/isaiah/23-17 "Isaiah 23:17 - Tyre's Harlotry") - "And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth." (Illustrates the Old Testament prophetic use of "harlotry" for a city's global commercial and political corruption)
* [Revelation 18:23](/revelation/18-23 "Revelation 18:23 - Babylon's Sorceries and Merchants") - "And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived." (Directly links to the fall of this great city and its global economic and spiritual influence)

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 17:18 calls believers to a profound sense of discernment and spiritual vigilance in a world often captivated by power, wealth, and worldly systems. The identification of the "woman" as a "great city" that reigns over the kings of the earth serves as a timeless warning: beware of any human system—be it political, economic, or cultural—that seeks ultimate dominion, accumulates power through ungodly means, and ultimately sets itself against the kingdom of God. This verse encourages us to recognize that such systems, no matter how grand or influential they appear, are ultimately destined for divine judgment. Our application involves not only identifying these worldly powers but also actively resisting their corrupting influence, refusing to be entangled in their unrighteousness, and prioritizing our allegiance to Christ's kingdom above all earthly loyalties. It challenges us to live out the call to "come out of her, my people" ([Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Babylon")), maintaining spiritual purity and a prophetic witness against the allure and oppression of this world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What contemporary "great cities" or global systems might embody the characteristics of the "woman" described in Revelation 17, and how should believers respond to their influence?**
* **How can we, as individuals and as the Church, avoid being "drunk with the wine" of worldly power, wealth, or cultural norms that oppose God's truth?**
* **In what ways does this verse affirm God's ultimate sovereignty and justice, and how does that assurance impact our hope and perseverance in the face of worldly oppression?**

### FAQ
**What is the "great city" identified in Revelation 17:18?**

Answer: The "great city" identified in [Revelation 17:18](/revelation/17-18 "Revelation 17:18 - The Woman is the Great City") is the symbolic "Babylon the Great" described throughout [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Woman and the Beast") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon"). While many scholars historically identify it with ancient Rome, particularly due to its first-century context as the preeminent global power that persecuted Christians, the "great city" also carries a broader symbolic meaning. It represents any powerful, dominant, and corrupt world system—whether political, economic, or religious—that opposes God, persecutes His people, and seeks to exert global control. It embodies the spirit of human rebellion and idolatry throughout history, culminating in a final manifestation that will face divine judgment.

**Is the "great city" a literal city or a symbolic representation?**

Answer: The interpretation varies among scholars, but the most common understanding is that it is both a literal city (historically Rome, or potentially a future global capital) and a symbolic representation. The detailed description of its wealth, influence, and spiritual harlotry in [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon") suggests a tangible, powerful urban center. However, its designation as "Babylon" (a city long destroyed by John's time) and its pervasive influence "over the kings of the earth" indicate that it also symbolizes a universal system of rebellion against God. It represents the spirit of worldly power, commercialism, and anti-God idolatry that manifests in various forms throughout history, culminating in a final, dominant expression that will be judged by God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 17:18, by identifying the "great city" as the embodiment of earthly power and rebellion against God, points to the ultimate triumph of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The "great city" that "reigneth over the kings of the earth" stands in stark contrast to the true King of kings, Jesus Christ, who alone holds all authority in heaven and on earth ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). While this worldly system seeks to dominate through corruption and violence, Christ's reign is one of righteousness, peace, and truth. The judgment pronounced upon this "great city" in [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon") is a powerful demonstration of Christ's sovereign power to dismantle all opposing forces and bring justice. Ultimately, the fall of Babylon makes way for the glorious revelation of the New Jerusalem, the "holy city, coming down out of heaven from God" ([Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem")), where God dwells with His people, and Christ reigns eternally. This contrast highlights that all earthly kingdoms, no matter how powerful, are temporary and subject to the authority of the Lamb, who will ultimately inherit all things ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - Worthy is the Lamb")). The "great city" represents the world system that rejected Him, and its destruction affirms that salvation and true dominion belong to our God and to His Christ ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Christ")).

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 16:19

And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Revelation 18:2

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Daniel 7:23

Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

Daniel 2:40

And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all [things]: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.

Daniel 2:41

And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay.

Revelation 12:4

And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Luke 2:1

¶ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.