Revelation 18:24

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} in {G1722} her {G846} was found {G2147} the blood {G129} of prophets {G4396}, and {G2532} of saints {G40}, and {G2532} of all {G3956} that were slain {G4969} upon {G1909} the earth {G1093}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“In her was found the blood of prophets and of God’s people,
indeed, of all who have ever been slaughtered on earth!”

Berean Standard Bible

And there was found in her the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who had been slain on the earth.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 18:24 delivers the climactic indictment against "Babylon the Great," revealing the profound and undeniable reason for its catastrophic judgment: its pervasive guilt in shedding innocent blood. This verse serves as the ultimate divine justification for Babylon's complete destruction, asserting that the global system it represents is responsible for the persecution of God's faithful and the widespread violence inflicted upon all humanity throughout history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the culminating statement in the pronouncement of judgment against Babylon the Great, detailed extensively in [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Harlot and the Beast") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon"). Following a series of laments from kings, merchants, and mariners over Babylon's sudden and irreversible ruin (Revelation 18:9-19), and a celebratory call to rejoice in its downfall (Revelation 18:20), verse 24 provides the ultimate, unassailable divine justification for this severe and absolute judgment. It acts as the final charge in a cosmic courtroom, sealing Babylon's fate by exposing its historical and pervasive culpability for violence and oppression against God's people and humanity at large.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While "Babylon" in Revelation is primarily a symbolic entity, it draws heavily from historical and cultural realities. Historically, it evokes the ancient city of Babylon, notorious for its idolatry, oppression, and destruction of Jerusalem (as seen in [Jeremiah 50-51](/jeremiah/50 "Jeremiah 50-51 - Prophecy Against Babylon")). In John's immediate context, "Babylon" was widely understood as a veiled reference to Rome, the dominant imperial power of the time, known for its persecution of Christians, its vast economic influence, and its idolatrous emperor worship. The phrase "blood of prophets and saints" resonates with the long history of martyrdom, from Old Testament prophets (e.g., [Matthew 23:34-36](/matthew/23-34-36 "Matthew 23:34-36 - Persecution of Prophets")) to the early Christian martyrs who suffered under Roman rule. The concept of blood crying out for justice is deeply rooted in biblical tradition, from Abel's blood in [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Cries Out") to the souls under the altar in [Revelation 6:9-11](/revelation/6-9-11 "Revelation 6:9-11 - The Souls Under the Altar").
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 18:24 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical theology. It underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting that God meticulously remembers all acts of injustice and violence, and will ultimately bring perfect recompense against oppressive systems. The verse highlights the **Persecution of God's People**, emphasizing the ongoing conflict between the world's systems and those who remain faithful to Christ, often at the cost of their lives. Furthermore, it speaks to the **Universal Guilt of Worldly Systems** that oppose God, portraying Babylon as a comprehensive symbol of all human powers, ideologies, and economic systems that promote idolatry, greed, and violence, extending their destructive influence "upon the earth." This final indictment serves as a solemn reminder of God's unwavering commitment to righteous judgment and the vindication of His suffering saints.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **blood (Greek, _haîma'_):** This term (G129) refers to literal blood, but in a biblical context, it carries profound theological weight, signifying life itself (Leviticus 17:11), the means of atonement (Hebrews 9:22), and, crucially here, the evidence of violent death and the cry for justice. The "blood" found in Babylon signifies its guilt in taking innocent lives, a violation so grievous it demands divine retribution.
* **slain (Greek, _spházō'_):** The verb (G4969) denotes a violent, often sacrificial, slaughter. It is used for animals butchered for food or sacrifice, and in Revelation, frequently describes the Lamb "slain" (e.g., [Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Who Was Slain")). Its use here emphasizes the brutal, intentional, and often ritualistic nature of the persecution and murder perpetrated by Babylon, underscoring the severity of its crimes.
* **saints (Greek, _hágios'_):** This word (G40) describes those who are sacred, pure, morally blameless, or consecrated to God. In Revelation, "saints" refers to believers, God's holy people, who are set apart for Him. Their inclusion alongside "prophets" highlights that Babylon's victims are not random but specifically those devoted to God, making their shedding of blood a direct affront to the divine.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in her was found":** This phrase signifies a definitive discovery and an undeniable culpability. It's not merely an accusation but a declaration of a proven fact, as if a divine investigation has concluded with overwhelming evidence. Babylon's guilt is inherent and exposed.
* **"the blood of prophets, and of saints":** This specifies the primary victims of Babylon's atrocities. "Prophets" refers to those who speak God's word, often facing opposition and martyrdom for their truth-telling. "Saints" encompasses all faithful believers who have suffered persecution for their allegiance to Christ. This highlights the spiritual nature of Babylon's antagonism—it targets those consecrated to God.
* **"and of all that were slain upon the earth":** This broadens the scope of Babylon's guilt beyond just God's direct covenant people. It indicates that the oppressive system represented by Babylon is responsible for widespread violence, injustice, and human suffering globally. This suggests its pervasive evil influence extends to all innocent blood shed by tyrannical, ungodly regimes and systems throughout human history, making its judgment universally just.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 18:24 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine judgment. **Symbolism** is paramount, with "Babylon" serving as a multifaceted symbol not merely of a historical city but of all worldly systems that oppose God, persecute His people, and promote idolatry and injustice. The "blood" found in her is also symbolic, representing not just literal death but the accumulated guilt of violence and the cry for divine justice. The phrase "prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth" utilizes a form of **merism** or **synecdoche**, where specific categories (prophets, saints) are mentioned to represent a larger whole (all innocent victims), emphasizing the comprehensive nature of Babylon's guilt. The entire verse functions as a powerful declaration of **retributive justice**, where the punishment meted out to Babylon is directly and proportionately linked to its heinous crimes, underscoring the biblical principle that God will ultimately avenge the innocent.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 18:24 powerfully encapsulates the biblical theme of divine justice for the shedding of innocent blood, a principle deeply embedded in both Old and New Testaments. It affirms God's unwavering commitment to holding oppressive powers accountable for their violence and persecution. From the very beginning, the "blood" of the righteous has cried out from the earth, demanding a divine response, and this verse signifies the ultimate answer to that cry. It assures believers that no act of injustice, no martyrdom, and no suffering for righteousness goes unnoticed by God, and that His perfect justice will ultimately prevail against all systems that stand in opposition to His kingdom. The fall of Babylon is not merely an act of vengeance but a righteous vindication of all who have suffered for truth.

* [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Abel's Blood Cries Out for Justice")
* [Revelation 6:9-11](/revelation/6-9-11 "The Souls Under the Altar Crying for Vengeance")
* [Matthew 23:34-36](/matthew/23-34-36 "Jesus's Condemnation of Shedding Righteous Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 18:24 offers profound comfort to those who have suffered or witnessed injustice, providing an unwavering assurance that God sees, remembers, and will ultimately act. In a world where evil often seems to triumph and the innocent suffer without apparent recourse, this verse reminds us that divine justice is not merely a hope but a certainty. It challenges us to discern and distance ourselves from "Babylonian" systems—any ideologies, economic practices, or political powers that promote greed, oppression, spiritual rebellion, or violence, regardless of their worldly allure or apparent success. For believers, this means a call to ethical discernment, a commitment to standing for truth and justice, and a willingness to endure suffering for righteousness, knowing that our ultimate vindication rests in God's hands. It also serves as a powerful reminder to value the sanctity of human life, created in God's image, and to advocate for the vulnerable and persecuted in our own contexts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the assurance of God's ultimate justice in Revelation 18:24 comfort you in the face of present-day injustices or suffering?**
* **In what ways might contemporary systems or cultural values subtly embody "Babylonian" characteristics, and how can believers discern and respond to them?**
* **What practical steps can we take to stand in solidarity with those who are persecuted for their faith or for righteousness in the world today?**

### FAQ
**What does "Babylon" represent in Revelation, and how does its "bloodguilt" relate to its symbolic meaning?**

Answer: In Revelation, "Babylon" is not merely a literal city but a profound symbolic representation of all worldly systems, empires, and ideologies that stand in opposition to God, persecute His people, and promote idolatry, greed, and injustice. It embodies the collective forces of human rebellion against divine authority, often characterized by immense economic power, spiritual deception, and moral depravity, as detailed in [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Harlot and the Beast") and [Revelation 18](/revelation/18 "Revelation 18 - The Fall of Babylon"). Its "bloodguilt" for "prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth" is central to its symbolic meaning. This guilt signifies that Babylon, as the embodiment of anti-God worldly power, is directly responsible for the persecution and martyrdom of God's faithful throughout history, as well as for the broader violence and oppression that has led to the shedding of innocent blood across the globe. This universal culpability makes its final, devastating judgment entirely just and necessary in God's divine plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 18:24, while a declaration of judgment against an oppressive system, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. First, Jesus Christ Himself is the quintessential "Lamb who was slain" ([Revelation 5:6](/revelation/5-6 "Revelation 5:6 - The Lamb Who Was Slain")), the innocent one whose blood was shed by the very systems of this world (represented by both religious and imperial powers, like Rome, a type of Babylon). His sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate act of innocent blood shed, yet it is also the atoning blood that speaks a "better word than the blood of Abel" ([Hebrews 12:24](/hebrews/12-24 "Hebrews 12:24 - The Blood of Sprinkling")), offering forgiveness and reconciliation rather than merely crying out for vengeance. Furthermore, Christ identifies intimately with His persecuted people; when Saul persecuted the early Christians, Jesus declared, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting *Me*?" ([Acts 9:4-5](/acts/9-4-5 "Acts 9:4-5 - Jesus Identifies with His Persecuted People")). Thus, the blood of prophets and saints found in Babylon is, in a profound sense, the blood of Christ's own body, the Church. Finally, it is Christ, the righteous Judge ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Entrusted All Judgment to the Son")), who will execute this final justice against Babylon. His return as the triumphant King ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11-16 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")) ensures that all innocent blood will be avenged, and His eternal kingdom will replace all earthly systems of oppression, bringing an end to all violence and injustice.

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 17:6

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Revelation 16:6

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

Jeremiah 51:49

As Babylon [hath caused] the slain of Israel to fall, so at Babylon shall fall the slain of all the earth.

Revelation 19:2

For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Acts 7:52

Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

Matthew 23:35

That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

Matthew 23:27

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness.