Revelation 18:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} the light {G5457} of a candle {G3088} shall shine {G5316} no more {G3364} at all {G2089} in {G1722} thee {G4671}; and {G2532} the voice {G5456} of the bridegroom {G3566} and {G2532} of the bride {G3565} shall be heard {G191} no more {G3364} at all {G2089} in {G1722} thee {G4671}: for {G3754} thy {G4675} merchants {G1713} were {G2258} the great men {G3175} of the earth {G1093}; for {G3754} by {G1722} thy {G4675} sorceries {G5331} were {G4105} all {G3956} nations {G1484} deceived {G4105}.

Complete Jewish Bible

the light of a lamp
will never again shine in you,
the voice of bridegroom and bride
will never again be heard in you.

“For your businessmen were the most powerful on earth,
all the nations were deceived by your magic spell.

Berean Standard Bible

The light of a lamp will never shine in you again, and the voices of a bride and bridegroom will never call out in you again. For your merchants were the great ones of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.”

American Standard Version

and the light of a lamp 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 princes of the earth; for with thy sorcery were all the nations deceived.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 18:23 delivers a stark pronouncement of the complete and irreversible desolation of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity representing a powerful, corrupt global system that has amassed immense wealth and influence through unrighteous means. This verse vividly portrays the cessation of all signs of life, joy, and normal societal function within this fallen power, directly linking its catastrophic downfall to its pervasive economic corruption and its insidious spiritual deception that ensnared nations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 18:23 is the climactic statement in a series of woes and laments over the fall of "Babylon the Great," which began in [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Harlot and the Beast"). The preceding verses ([Revelation 18:21-22](/revelation/18-21-22 "Revelation 18:21-22 - The Fall of Babylon") specifically) describe the sudden, violent, and utterly final nature of Babylon's destruction, using the imagery of a mighty millstone cast into the sea. This verse builds upon that imagery by detailing the *absence* of what once defined Babylon's vibrancy and allure: light, music, and the sounds of celebration. It then provides the dual rationale for this judgment, pointing to its corrupt economic practices and its widespread spiritual manipulation, thereby concluding the prophetic indictment of this powerful, anti-God system.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a city's complete desolation, marked by the absence of light and joyous sounds, resonates deeply with Old Testament prophecies against historical cities like ancient Babylon ([Isaiah 13:20-22](/isaiah/13-20-22 "Isaiah 13:20-22 - Desolation of Babylon")) and Tyre ([Ezekiel 26:13](/ezekiel/26-13 "Ezekiel 26:13 - Tyre's Silence")). In the ancient world, the flickering light of a lamp or candle was essential for life, commerce, and social gatherings after sunset, while the sounds of a bridegroom and bride signified new beginnings, family, and community joy. Their absence symbolized utter ruin, a place devoid of life and hope. The "merchants" and "great men of the earth" reflect the immense economic power and global reach of the Roman Empire, which many scholars see as the primary historical referent for "Babylon" in John's time, known for its vast trade networks and pervasive influence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several major themes found throughout [the Book of Revelation](/revelation "The Book of Revelation - The Revelation of Jesus Christ"). Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** against all forms of human rebellion and corruption, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over worldly powers. Secondly, it highlights the **Utter Desolation** that awaits those who oppose God, emphasizing the finality of their ruin. Thirdly, it exposes the twin evils of **Economic Corruption** and **Spiritual Deception**, revealing how worldly power often intertwines with greed and false spiritual practices to mislead humanity. The phrase "by thy sorceries were all nations deceived" points to the pervasive nature of spiritual falsehoods, a recurring warning throughout [Scripture](/psalms/119-105 "Psalm 119:105 - God's Word as a Lamp") against those who seek to lead people astray from the truth of God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **merchants (Greek, _émporos'_):** This term refers to a "wholesale tradesman" or a merchant engaged in large-scale international commerce. In the context of Babylon, it underscores the vast economic power and global reach of this system, implying that its influence was built upon extensive trade and financial dealings, often conducted with exploitative or unrighteous methods.
* **earth (Greek, _gē'_):** While literally meaning "soil" or "land," in this context, "earth" signifies the entire terrene globe, including its inhabitants and nations. This emphasizes the universal scope of Babylon's economic and deceptive influence, indicating that its power was not confined to a single locality but extended globally, impacting "all nations."
* **sorceries (Greek, _pharmakeía'_):** This word, from which we derive "pharmacy," literally refers to the use of drugs, potions, or medicines. However, in the New Testament, and particularly in Revelation, it carries the broader meaning of magic, spiritual enchantment, witchcraft, and deceptive practices often associated with idolatry and false religion. It implies a manipulative spiritual influence that deludes and ensnares, leading nations away from truth and righteousness through spiritual falsehoods and occult practices.
* **deceived (Greek, _planáō'_):** This verb means "to cause to roam from safety, truth, or virtue," or "to go astray, err, seduce, wander." It highlights the active and intentional nature of Babylon's spiritual manipulation, indicating that its "sorceries" were not merely passive influences but deliberate acts designed to lead people and nations into spiritual error and away from God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee;":** This clause signifies the complete cessation of all light, joy, guidance, and prosperity within Babylon. In the ancient world, light was essential for life, work, and celebration. Its absence denotes utter darkness, desolation, and the end of any form of flourishing or hope. The double negative "no more at all" (Greek: _ou mḗ eti_) intensely emphasizes the absolute and irreversible nature of this judgment.
* **"and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee:":** This imagery represents the end of all celebration, new beginnings, and the continuation of community life. Weddings were central to societal joy and the promise of future generations. Their silence indicates a permanent ruin, a place devoid of life, relationships, and any prospect of renewal or happiness. Like the candle's light, this sound marks the complete absence of vibrancy.
* **"for thy merchants were the great men of the earth;":** This clause provides the first reason for Babylon's judgment: its immense economic power and global influence. Its "merchants" (wholesale traders) were the "great men" (grandees, powerful leaders) of the world, suggesting that Babylon's prosperity was built upon a system that dominated global commerce and exerted control over nations through financial means, often implying exploitation and injustice.
* **"for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.":** This second clause reveals the deeper, spiritual reason for Babylon's downfall. Its "sorceries" (Greek: _pharmakeía_) refer to spiritual manipulation, witchcraft, and deceptive practices. This indicates that Babylon's influence was not merely economic but also profoundly spiritual, leading "all nations" astray through false teachings, idolatry, and occult practices that deluded people and turned them away from God's truth.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 18:23 is rich with **Symbolism** and **Imagery**. The "light of a candle" and "voice of the bridegroom and of the bride" are powerful symbols of life, joy, hope, and social vitality. Their complete absence (**Hyperbole** through "no more at all") underscores the absolute and irreversible nature of Babylon's destruction, portraying a city utterly devoid of any sign of life or future. The verse employs **Parallelism** by presenting two clauses of desolation followed by two clauses explaining the reasons for this judgment, creating a rhythmic and emphatic declaration. The description of "merchants" and "great men" highlights the **Metonymy** of economic power representing the entire corrupt system. Most significantly, "sorceries" functions as a potent **Metaphor** for spiritual deception and manipulation, extending beyond literal drug use to encompass all forms of spiritual falsehood that ensnare and mislead humanity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The judgment pronounced upon Babylon in Revelation 18:23 resonates with profound theological implications regarding God's justice and the nature of worldly power. It reveals that systems built on greed, exploitation, and spiritual deception, no matter how powerful or globally influential, are ultimately subject to divine reckoning. This verse serves as a stark reminder that true prosperity and lasting joy are found not in material accumulation or worldly dominance, but in alignment with God's righteous character. The deception wrought by Babylon's "sorceries" highlights the spiritual warfare at play, where false teachings and manipulative practices lead nations away from the truth, underscoring the critical need for discernment and adherence to God's Word.

* [Isaiah 13:20-22](/isaiah/13-20-22 "Isaiah 13:20-22 - Prophecy of Babylon's Desolation"): This Old Testament prophecy against ancient Babylon uses similar imagery of desolation, emphasizing that it will "never again be inhabited" and will become a dwelling for wild beasts, mirroring the complete ruin described in Revelation.
* [Jeremiah 7:34](/jeremiah/7-34 "Jeremiah 7:34 - Silence in Judah"): Jeremiah prophesies the cessation of "the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride" in Judah, signifying utter judgment and desolation, directly paralleling the imagery used in Revelation 18:23.
* [2 Thessalonians 2:9-10](/2_thessalonians/2-9-10 "2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 - Deception of the Lawless One"): Paul warns about the "coming of the lawless one" who will work "with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all unrighteous deception," illustrating the pervasive nature of spiritual deception that leads those who refuse to love the truth to be led astray.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 18:23 challenges believers to critically examine the foundations of power, wealth, and influence in our world. It warns against the seductive allure of systems that promise prosperity and control but are built on unrighteousness and spiritual falsehood. For us today, "Babylon" can represent any globalized system—economic, political, or cultural—that prioritizes profit and power over justice, truth, and human dignity, and that subtly or overtly leads people away from God. This verse calls for spiritual discernment, urging us to recognize and resist the "sorceries" of our age—the deceptive ideologies, manipulative media, and false promises that seek to enthrall and mislead. It encourages us to invest our hope and energy not in fleeting earthly empires, but in the eternal kingdom of God, finding our joy and true security in Christ alone. Ultimately, it reinforces the comforting truth that God's justice will prevail, and every system that opposes Him will face ultimate desolation, making way for His righteous reign.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might contemporary economic or cultural systems subtly or overtly employ "sorceries" (deceptive practices or ideologies) to influence people and nations today?**
* **How can individual believers cultivate discernment to recognize and resist the "light" and "voices" of the world that promise joy and prosperity but lead away from God's truth?**
* **What does the ultimate desolation of Babylon teach us about where we should place our trust, our joy, and our ultimate hope?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "light of a candle" and "voice of the bridegroom and bride" ceasing?**

Answer: The cessation of the "light of a candle" and the "voice of the bridegroom and of the bride" signifies the complete and utter desolation of "Babylon the Great." In the ancient world, light was essential for daily life, commerce, and safety after dark; its absence implies total darkness, lack of guidance, and the end of all activity and prosperity. Similarly, the sounds of a bridegroom and bride were synonymous with weddings, which symbolized joy, new beginnings, family, and the continuation of community life. Their silence indicates that all celebration, hope, and the very fabric of society have been irrevocably destroyed. This imagery powerfully conveys the finality and totality of God's judgment, leaving Babylon as a place utterly devoid of life, joy, and future. This kind of imagery is also found in Old Testament prophecies of judgment, such as in [Jeremiah 25:10](/jeremiah/25-10 "Jeremiah 25:10 - Silence in Judah").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 18:23, while a declaration of judgment, ultimately points to the triumph of Christ. The cessation of light in Babylon stands in stark contrast to Jesus, who is the [true Light of the world](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), whose light shines in the darkness and can never be overcome ([John 1:4-5](/john/1-4-5 "John 1:4-5 - The Light Shines in the Darkness")). The silence of the bridegroom and bride in Babylon's ruin foreshadows the glorious and eternal celebration of the [Marriage Supper of the Lamb](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb"), where Christ, the ultimate Bridegroom, unites with His pure and radiant Bride, the Church ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). While Babylon's merchants were the "great men of the earth," Jesus is the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"), whose reign is eternal and righteous. The deception that enslaved nations through Babylon's "sorceries" is utterly defeated by Christ, who came to [destroy the works of the devil](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Works of the Devil") and to set the captives free from spiritual blindness and bondage ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). Thus, Babylon's fall is not just an end, but a necessary prelude to the full establishment of Christ's kingdom, where His light, joy, and truth will reign supreme forever.

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 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.

Isaiah 23:8

Who hath taken this counsel against Tyre, the crowning [city], whose merchants [are] princes, whose traffickers [are] the honourable of the earth?

Nahum 3:4

Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

Jeremiah 7:34

Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

Revelation 22:15

For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Jeremiah 16:9

For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.

Revelation 18:9

¶ And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,