Revelation 18:11

And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

And {G2532} the merchants {G1713} of the earth {G1093} shall weep {G2799} and {G2532} mourn {G3996} over {G1909} her {G846}; for {G3754} no man {G3762} buyeth {G59} their {G846} merchandise {G1117} any more {G3765}:

The world’s businessmen weep and mourn over her, because no one is buying their merchandise any more —

And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo—

And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, for no man buyeth their merchandise any more;

Commentary

Commentary on Revelation 18:11 (KJV)

The Apostle John's vision in Revelation 18:11 vividly portrays the economic fallout accompanying the sudden and catastrophic fall of "Babylon the Great." This verse focuses specifically on the reaction of the "merchants of the earth," highlighting their profound grief not out of repentance or spiritual sorrow, but from the complete cessation of their lucrative trade.

Context

Revelation chapters 17 and 18 describe the judgment and ultimate destruction of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity representing a powerful, corrupt system that has dominated the world through spiritual deception, political influence, and economic exploitation. While Revelation 17 focuses more on its religious and political aspects, chapter 18 details its economic power and subsequent demise. Verses preceding this one describe kings mourning her fall (Revelation 18:9-10), setting the stage for the lament of the merchants and later the mariners (Revelation 18:17-19), all deeply affected by the collapse of this global economic hub.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Worldly Systems: This verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His ultimate judgment on all systems built on greed, materialism, and opposition to His will. The destruction of Babylon is depicted as swift and complete, demonstrating that no worldly power, however vast, can stand against divine decree.
  • The Ephemeral Nature of Worldly Wealth: The merchants' weeping and mourning reveal their attachment to material possessions and profit. Their grief is purely self-serving, lamenting the loss of their income and luxurious lifestyle, rather than any moral or spiritual failing of Babylon. This serves as a stark reminder that worldly treasures are fleeting and can be lost in an instant.
  • Economic Collapse: The phrase "no man buyeth their merchandise any more" signifies a total and irreversible economic shutdown. This highlights the fragility of an economy built on exploitation and consumerism, prophesying a time when such a system will utterly fail.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "merchants" is emporoi (ἔμποροι), referring to traders or those engaged in large-scale commerce, often across seas. "Merchandise" is from gomon (γόμον), meaning cargo or freight, emphasizing the vast array of goods that were traded and consumed by this powerful system. The intense "weep and mourn" (κλαίουσιν καὶ πενθοῦσιν - *klaiousin kai penthousin*) signifies profound sorrow, but as the context indicates, it is a sorrow rooted in financial ruin rather than spiritual distress or repentance.

Practical Application

For believers today, Revelation 18:11 serves as a powerful cautionary tale. It encourages us to:

  1. Re-evaluate Priorities: It challenges us to examine where our true security and hope lie. Is it in fluctuating markets and material possessions, or in the unshakeable kingdom of God?
  2. Beware of Materialism: The merchants' despair illustrates the emptiness of a life solely focused on accumulation and profit. It reminds us to prioritize spiritual riches and eternal values over temporary worldly gains.
  3. Live with an Eternal Perspective: Understanding that earthly systems, however dominant, are temporary and subject to God's judgment encourages us to invest in what truly lasts and to live in anticipation of Christ's return and the new heaven and new earth.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 18:3

    For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

  • Revelation 18:23

    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.

  • Ezekiel 27:27

    Thy riches, and thy fairs, thy merchandise, thy mariners, and thy pilots, thy calkers, and the occupiers of thy merchandise, and all thy men of war, that [are] in thee, and in all thy company which [is] in the midst of thee, shall fall into the midst of the seas in the day of thy ruin.

  • Ezekiel 27:36

    The merchants among the people shall hiss at thee; thou shalt be a terror, and never [shalt be] any more.

  • Revelation 18:20

    Rejoice over her, [thou] heaven, and [ye] holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

  • Revelation 13:16

    And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

  • Revelation 13:17

    And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
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