Revelation 18:3

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G3754} all {G3956} nations {G1484} have drunk {G4095} of {G1537} the wine {G3631} of the wrath {G2372} of her {G846} fornication {G4202}, and {G2532} the kings {G935} of the earth {G1093} have committed fornication {G4203} with {G3326} her {G846}, and {G2532} the merchants {G1713} of the earth {G1093} are waxed rich {G4147} through {G1537} the abundance {G1411} of her {G846} delicacies {G4764}.

Complete Jewish Bible

“For all the nations have drunk of the wine
of God’s fury caused by her whoring —
yes, the kings of the earth went whoring with her,
and from her unrestrained love of luxury
the world’s businessmen have grown rich.”

Berean Standard Bible

All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.”

American Standard Version

For by the wine of the wrath of her fornication all the nations are fallen; and the kings of the earth committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich by the power of her wantonness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 18:3 vividly portrays the pervasive global influence and moral corruption of "Babylon the Great," a symbolic entity representing the world system in rebellion against God. This verse details how nations, their leaders, and their economic powers have become deeply entangled in Babylon's spiritual idolatry and luxurious excesses, leading to a widespread spiritual intoxication and complicity in her unrighteousness. It underscores the profound reach of this corrupting force and sets the stage for the imminent divine judgment upon her.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 18:3 is an integral part of the prophetic narrative concerning the fall and judgment of "Babylon the Great," which is introduced in detail in [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Great Harlot and the Beast"). Chapter 17 describes Babylon as a "great harlot" seated on many waters, symbolizing her widespread influence, and riding a scarlet beast, indicating her alliance with worldly political power. Chapter 18 then elaborates on the reasons for her destruction, focusing on her economic and moral corruption and the lament of those who profited from her. Verse 3, specifically, serves as a summary indictment, articulating the global scope of her spiritual "fornication" and economic exploitation, thereby justifying the severe judgment that follows, as described in subsequent verses like [Revelation 18:4-8](/revelation/18-4-8 "Revelation 18:4-8 - Call to Come Out and Babylon's Judgment").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While "Babylon" in Revelation is primarily symbolic, it draws heavily on historical and cultural allusions. Ancient Babylon, known for its idolatry, luxury, and oppression of God's people (e.g., [Jeremiah 51](/jeremiah/51 "Jeremiah 51 - God's Judgment on Babylon")), serves as a powerful archetype. In John's day, Rome, with its imperial cult, vast trade networks, and oppressive rule, would have been a clear contemporary parallel. The "fornication" refers not merely to sexual immorality but to spiritual idolatry and unholy alliances, a common Old Testament metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness to God (e.g., [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - Jerusalem's Adultery")). The "merchants" and "delicacies" reflect the opulent trade and material wealth of the Roman Empire, which often came at the expense of justice and spiritual integrity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Revelation and biblical theology. It highlights the theme of **global corruption and spiritual idolatry**, showing how the allure of worldly power and wealth can lead nations and their leaders astray from faithfulness to God, echoing warnings found in passages like [1 John 2:15-17](/1_john/2-15-17 "1 John 2:15-17 - Do Not Love the World"). It also emphasizes the theme of **economic exploitation and luxury**, where the pursuit of material gain becomes an idolatrous end in itself, leading to moral decay and injustice, a concept often critiqued in prophetic literature such as [Amos 8:4-6](/amos/8-4-6 "Amos 8:4-6 - Oppression of the Poor"). Finally, it strongly foreshadows the theme of **divine judgment and justice**, asserting that God will ultimately hold accountable all systems and individuals who engage in such spiritual and moral corruption, reinforcing the message of [Revelation 14:8](/revelation/14-8 "Revelation 14:8 - The Fall of Babylon Announced").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fornication (Greek, _porneía'_):** G4202. While literally referring to sexual immorality, in the prophetic context of Revelation, _porneía_ signifies spiritual unfaithfulness, idolatry, and illicit alliances. It denotes a departure from loyalty to God, often involving the worship of false gods or the pursuit of worldly power and wealth in place of divine allegiance. Here, it describes the spiritual adultery committed by nations and kings with Babylon, prioritizing worldly gain over God's truth.
* **Wrath (Greek, _thymós'_):** G2372. This term denotes intense passion, fierce indignation, or burning anger. In the phrase "wine of the wrath of her fornication," it suggests that the intoxicating influence of Babylon's spiritual idolatry is itself a vehicle of God's wrath, leading nations to their own destruction. It implies that the very means by which Babylon corrupts others will become the instrument of her own downfall, as God's righteous judgment is poured out.
* **Delicacies (Greek, _strēnos'_):** G4764. This word refers to excessive luxury, wantonness, or the insolent pride that stems from abundance. It highlights the opulent and self-indulgent nature of Babylon's wealth, which is often accumulated through unjust or exploitative means. The "abundance of her delicacies" signifies the seductive allure of material prosperity and sensual pleasure that draws the merchants of the earth into complicity with Babylon's corrupt system.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,"**: This clause reveals the universal reach of Babylon's corrupting influence. "All nations" signifies a global spiritual intoxication, where humanity has willingly imbibed the intoxicating "wine" of Babylon's spiritual idolatry and unfaithfulness. The "wine of the wrath of her fornication" is a powerful metaphor, suggesting that the very practices of Babylon—her spiritual prostitution and rebellion against God—are a source of divine judgment, leading those who partake to experience God's indignation. It implies a self-inflicted judgment, where their participation in her sin brings about their ruin.
* **"and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her,"**: This second clause focuses on the political leaders, the "kings of the earth," emphasizing their direct complicity in Babylon's spiritual harlotry. Their "fornication" is not merely passive participation but active engagement in unholy alliances and idolatrous practices. This signifies their prioritization of worldly power, political stability, and material gain over loyalty to God, forming a spiritual adultery with the corrupt world system rather than aligning with God's kingdom and His righteous standards.
* **"and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies."**: The final clause highlights the economic dimension of Babylon's corruption. The "merchants of the earth" represent the global commercial powers who have amassed immense wealth and prosperity by engaging with and benefiting from Babylon's luxurious and often exploitative economic system. The "abundance of her delicacies" points to the lavish lifestyle and excessive material comforts that characterize Babylon, which are sustained by a system built on greed and self-indulgence, further cementing the world's entanglement with her unrighteousness.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 18:3 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Metaphor**. "Babylon the Great" is a central symbol, representing not a literal city but a comprehensive worldly system of rebellion against God, characterized by idolatry, economic exploitation, and political oppression. The act of "drinking of the wine" is a powerful **metaphor** for spiritual intoxication and willing participation in Babylon's corrupt ways, leading to spiritual delusion and moral decay. The "wine of the wrath of her fornication" is a complex **metaphor** that combines the idea of Babylon's seductive sin with the impending divine judgment, suggesting that her very acts of sin bring about God's wrath. "Fornication" itself is a profound **metaphor** for spiritual idolatry and unfaithfulness to God, drawing on Old Testament prophetic imagery of Israel's unfaithfulness. The "kings of the earth" and "merchants of the earth" are **synecdoches**, representing the political and economic powers of the world, highlighting the global reach of Babylon's influence. Finally, "delicacies" serves as a **symbol** of the excessive luxury and material indulgence that characterizes Babylon's allure and contributes to her downfall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 18:3 profoundly underscores the pervasive nature of sin within human systems and the seductive power of worldly allurements. It reveals a theological truth that humanity, from the highest political offices to the most powerful economic enterprises, is susceptible to spiritual idolatry when it prioritizes worldly gain, power, and pleasure over allegiance to God. The "fornication" committed with Babylon represents a radical departure from divine covenant, a spiritual adultery where humanity gives its devotion and allegiance to the corrupt world system rather than to the one true God. This entanglement inevitably leads to a state of spiritual intoxication and moral decay, ultimately incurring divine wrath. The verse serves as a stark reminder that God sees and will judge all forms of systemic corruption and unfaithfulness, ensuring that justice will ultimately prevail over unrighteousness.

* [Jeremiah 51:7](/jeremiah/51-7 "Jeremiah 51:7 - Babylon, a Golden Cup")
* [Isaiah 23:17](/isaiah/23-17 "Isaiah 23:17 - Tyre's Harlotry")
* [Ezekiel 28:1-19](/ezekiel/28-1-19 "Ezekiel 28:1-19 - Judgment on the Prince of Tyre")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 18:3 serves as a profound call to spiritual discernment and ethical living for believers today. In a world saturated with consumerism, political ideologies, and economic systems that often prioritize profit over people, and power over piety, this verse challenges us to critically evaluate where our loyalties lie. Are we, like the nations, kings, and merchants, subtly or overtly drinking from the "wine of Babylon's fornication," allowing worldly values to intoxicate our spiritual senses and compromise our faithfulness to Christ? This passage urges us to recognize the seductive nature of luxury, the corrupting influence of unchecked power, and the idolatry inherent in making wealth an ultimate pursuit. It calls us to live as pilgrims and exiles, maintaining a distinct identity and allegiance to God's kingdom, even while living within earthly systems. Our application involves resisting the pressure to conform to the world's values, advocating for justice in economic and political spheres, and prioritizing spiritual integrity over material gain, always remembering that true richness is found in Christ alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be subtly influenced by the "wine of Babylon's fornication" in today's world?**
* **How can I actively discern and resist the allure of worldly "delicacies" and prioritize God's kingdom values in my daily life?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my economic pursuits and political engagements reflect my allegiance to Christ rather than to the corrupt systems of the world?**

### FAQ
**What does "Babylon the Great" represent in Revelation?**

Answer: "Babylon the Great" in Revelation is a powerful symbol, not a literal city in the first century. It represents the comprehensive world system in rebellion against God, embodying all forms of human pride, idolatry, economic exploitation, and political oppression that stand in opposition to God's righteous rule. It is a composite symbol drawing on the historical Babylon (known for its idolatry and oppression of Israel) and likely referencing the Roman Empire of John's day, which was characterized by imperial cult worship, vast wealth, and persecution of Christians. Ultimately, it signifies any and all human systems—political, economic, or even religious—that lead people away from God and into spiritual "fornication" or idolatry, as seen in [Revelation 17:1-6](/revelation/17-1-6 "Revelation 17:1-6 - The Great Harlot Described").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 18:3, while describing the pervasive sin and impending judgment of the world system, ultimately points to the necessity and triumph of Christ. The "wine of the wrath of her fornication" stands in stark contrast to the "wine" of the new covenant, which is the blood of Christ shed for the forgiveness of sins ([Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - The Blood of the Covenant")). While Babylon intoxicates nations with spiritual idolatry leading to wrath, Jesus offers true spiritual liberation and reconciliation with God. The "fornication" of the kings and nations highlights humanity's unfaithfulness, a condition that only Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice can rectify ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of One")). The "merchants waxing rich through her delicacies" underscores the world's pursuit of fleeting material wealth, which is ultimately exposed as worthless in light of Christ's eternal kingdom and the true riches found in Him ([Philippians 3:7-8](/philippians/3-7-8 "Philippians 3:7-8 - Paul Counts All as Loss")). Christ, as the Lamb who was slain, is the one who triumphs over all the corrupt systems of this world ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - The Worthy Lamb")), and His followers are called to "come out of her" ([Revelation 18:4](/revelation/18-4 "Revelation 18:4 - Come Out of Her, My People")) to align themselves fully with His righteous and eternal reign, finding their true satisfaction and security not in worldly delicacies but in the abundance of His grace and glory ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")).

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 17:2

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Revelation 14:8

And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

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,

Jeremiah 51:7

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.

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.

2 Peter 2:1

¶ But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:3

¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.