Revelation 18:5

KJV

For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G3754} her {G846} sins {G266} have reached {G190}{G2853} unto {G891} heaven {G3772}, and {G2532} God {G2316} hath remembered {G3421} her {G846} iniquities {G92}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for her sins are a sticky mass piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes.

Berean Standard Bible

For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

American Standard Version

for her sins have reached even unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 18:5 delivers a stark divine declaration concerning "Babylon the Great," revealing the ultimate justification for her catastrophic downfall: her accumulated sins have ascended to heaven, and God has decisively brought her iniquities to remembrance. This verse underscores the immutable principle of divine justice, where prolonged and pervasive wickedness reaches a tipping point, necessitating God's active intervention and righteous judgment upon a system that has defiantly opposed His will and oppressed His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Revelation 18:5 is embedded within a pivotal section of John's apocalyptic vision, specifically detailing the fall of "Babylon the Great." This chapter immediately follows the pronouncement of judgment in [Revelation 17](/revelation/17 "Revelation 17 - The Harlot on the Beast"), which identifies Babylon as the "mother of prostitutes and of the abominations of the earth," riding the scarlet beast. Chapter 18 then elaborates on her destruction, portraying it as a sudden, complete, and irreversible event. Verses [Revelation 18:1-3](/revelation/18-1-3 "Revelation 18:1-3 - The Fall of Babylon Announced") announce her desolation and the pervasive nature of her corrupting influence on the nations through her illicit wealth and spiritual depravity. Verse 5 serves as the divine rationale, explaining *why* such a severe judgment is warranted, linking her downfall directly to the enormity and cumulative weight of her transgressions in God's sight. The subsequent verses ([Revelation 18:6-8](/revelation/18-6-8 "Revelation 18:6-8 - God's Retribution on Babylon")) then outline the specific nature of this retribution, emphasizing a "double" repayment for her deeds.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While "Babylon the Great" is primarily symbolic, it draws heavily on the historical archetype of ancient Babylon, the oppressive empire that conquered Judah and exiled its people. This historical Babylon, renowned for its idolatry, luxury, and imperial dominance, became a biblical symbol of any worldly power that stands in opposition to God and His people. In John's day, this symbolism would have resonated with the Roman Empire, which was persecuting Christians and embodying similar characteristics of economic power, political tyranny, and idolatrous practices. The imagery of sins "reaching unto heaven" echoes Old Testament accounts of overwhelming wickedness that provoked divine judgment, such as the "outcry" against Sodom and Gomorrah in [Genesis 18:20-21](/genesis/18-20-21 "Genesis 18:20-21 - The Outcry Against Sodom and Gomorrah") or the building of the Tower of Babel in [Genesis 11:4](/genesis/11-4 "Genesis 11:4 - The Tower of Babel"), where human ambition sought to reach heaven. The concept of God "remembering" iniquities signifies a divine reckoning, a time when His patience has run out, and the full measure of justice is to be executed, a theme found in passages like [Genesis 15:16](/genesis/15-16 "Genesis 15:16 - The Iniquity of the Amorites Not Yet Complete").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Revelation and biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Justice and Accountability**, affirming God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to righteous judgment. No sin, whether individual or systemic, goes unnoticed or unpunished indefinitely. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Cumulative Nature of Sin**, illustrating that persistent rebellion and corruption accumulate to a point where they demand divine intervention. The imagery of sins "reaching unto heaven" vividly portrays this unbearable weight. Thirdly, the phrase "God hath remembered her iniquities" speaks to **God's Active Remembrance and Retribution**, signifying not a sudden recall from forgetfulness, but a decisive act of bringing past offenses to account, marking the end of divine patience and the commencement of judgment. This is a recurring theme, as seen in God's remembrance of the covenant with Noah in [Genesis 8:1](/genesis/8-1 "Genesis 8:1 - God Remembers Noah") or His people in [Exodus 2:24](/exodus/2-24 "Exodus 2:24 - God Remembers His Covenant with Israel"). Finally, the verse underscores the **Consequences of Systemic Evil**, demonstrating that entire corrupt systems and institutions, not just individuals, are subject to God's ultimate judgment when their wickedness becomes pervasive and defiant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sins (Greek, _hamartía'_):** From *hamartanō*, meaning "to miss the mark." This term denotes a moral failure, a deviation from God's standard, or an offense against divine law. In this context, *hamartía* refers to the collective, pervasive moral transgressions and spiritual idolatry of "Babylon," which have accumulated to an overwhelming degree.
* **reached (Greek, _kolláō'_):** From a root meaning "glue." This verb signifies "to glue, to stick, to cleave, to join." When used with "unto heaven," it vividly portrays the sins as having piled up, adhered, or become so numerous and weighty that they have literally "stuck" or "cleaved" to the very heavens, making them undeniably visible and offensive to God. It conveys a sense of saturation and accumulation.
* **remembered (Greek, _mnēmoneúō'_):** From a derivative of *mnēmē* (memory). This word means "to exercise memory, recollect," but in a theological sense, especially when God is the subject, it signifies more than mere recall. It implies an active bringing to mind with the intent to act, to bring to account, or to fulfill a promise or judgment. Here, it means God is now actively responding to and judging the iniquities He has long observed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For her sins have reached unto heaven":** This clause provides the primary justification for Babylon's judgment. The imagery is powerful, suggesting that the quantity and gravity of her transgressions have become so immense that they have metaphorically ascended to the divine realm, becoming fully apparent and intolerable in God's sight. It speaks to a culmination of wickedness, a point of no return where the cup of iniquity is full. This is not just about individual acts but the systemic, pervasive evil inherent in "Babylon's" nature and actions.
* **"and God hath remembered her iniquities":** This parallel clause reinforces the first, emphasizing God's active role in the impending judgment. The divine "remembrance" is not a sudden recollection but a declaration that the time for patience and forbearance has ceased. God, who is omniscient and never forgets, is now bringing to mind all the wrongs committed by Babylon, signifying that the moment for decisive, righteous retribution has arrived. "Iniquities" (Greek: *adíkēma*) refers to specific acts of wrongdoing, injustice, or unrighteousness, complementing "sins" (*hamartía*) by focusing on the active perpetration of wrong.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 18:5 employs potent **Imagery** to convey its message. The phrase "sins have reached unto heaven" is a vivid **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the height and visibility of Babylon's accumulated wickedness to emphasize its enormity and God's undeniable awareness of it. This imagery also functions as **Personification**, as sins are depicted as having the capacity to "reach" or ascend. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** through its two clauses: "For her sins have reached unto heaven" and "and God hath remembered her iniquities." These two statements, while distinct, reinforce each other, providing a comprehensive reason for divine judgment. The first clause describes the *extent* of Babylon's sin, and the second describes God's *response* to it, creating a cause-and-effect relationship that highlights the inevitability of divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 18:5 profoundly underscores the biblical truth of God's unwavering justice and the ultimate accountability of all powers, systems, and individuals before Him. It reveals that there is a limit to divine patience, and persistent, unrepentant rebellion will inevitably lead to a righteous reckoning. The "reaching unto heaven" signifies not only the magnitude of sin but also its direct affront to God's holiness and sovereignty, demanding a divine response. God's "remembrance" is an active, judicial act, signifying that the time for judgment has arrived, and the full weight of accumulated iniquity will be brought to bear. This provides immense comfort to those who suffer under oppressive systems, assuring them that God sees and will act, while also serving as a solemn warning to those who defy Him.

* [Genesis 18:20-21](/genesis/18-20-21 "Genesis 18:20-21 - The Outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah"): The Lord says, "The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me."
* [Jeremiah 51:9](/jeremiah/51-9 "Jeremiah 51:9 - Babylon's Judgment Foreshadowed"): "We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed. Forsake her; let us go each to our own country, for her judgment reaches to the skies, it rises as high as the clouds."
* [Psalm 9:12](/psalm/9-12 "Psalm 9:12 - God Remembers the Afflicted"): "For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 18:5 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder of God's perfect justice and the ultimate consequences of unrepentant sin, both individual and systemic. For believers, it offers profound comfort and assurance that no injustice, no oppression, and no act of defiance against God goes unnoticed. Even when evil seems to flourish unchecked, this verse reminds us that there is a divine ledger, and a day of reckoning will surely come. This should inspire us to live with integrity, to stand against injustice, and to separate ourselves from systems or ideologies that are fundamentally opposed to God's righteousness. It also calls us to a deeper understanding of repentance, recognizing that our own sins, if unconfessed and unrepented of, also "reach unto heaven" in their offense to a holy God. Ultimately, it strengthens our hope in God's sovereign control and the certainty of His kingdom, where righteousness will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might our own lives or the systems we participate in unknowingly contribute to "sins reaching unto heaven" in God's sight?**
* **How does the assurance of God's ultimate justice, as seen in this verse, impact your perspective on current global injustices or personal struggles?**
* **What practical steps can we take to ensure we are not "partaking in her sins" (Revelation 18:4) but are instead living in alignment with God's righteous standards?**

### FAQ
**What does "sins have reached unto heaven" mean literally?**

Answer: While not a literal physical ascent, the phrase "sins have reached unto heaven" is a powerful **metaphor** indicating the immense quantity, gravity, and audacity of Babylon's transgressions. It signifies that her wickedness has become so pervasive, flagrant, and accumulated that it has ascended to the very presence of God, making it undeniably visible and offensive to Him. It implies that the measure of her iniquity is full, demanding divine intervention. This imagery echoes similar expressions in the Old Testament, such as the "outcry" of Sodom and Gomorrah reaching God in [Genesis 18:20-21](/genesis/18-20-21 "Genesis 18:20-21 - The Outcry Against Sodom and Gomorrah"), signifying that their wickedness had become intolerable.

**Does "God hath remembered her iniquities" imply that God ever forgets?**

Answer: No, this phrase does not imply that God forgets and then suddenly recalls. God is omniscient and never forgets anything. In biblical language, when God "remembers" it signifies an active, decisive, and often judicial act. It means that the time for His patience and forbearance has ended, and the moment for righteous judgment and retribution has arrived. It is a declaration that He is now bringing to account all the wrongs that have been committed, as seen in His "remembering" His covenant with Noah in [Genesis 8:1](/genesis/8-1 "Genesis 8:1 - God Remembers Noah"), which led to the receding of the flood, or His "remembering" His covenant with Israel, leading to their deliverance from Egypt in [Exodus 2:24](/exodus/2-24 "Exodus 2:24 - God Remembers His Covenant with Israel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 18:5, while a declaration of judgment against a rebellious system, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the broader narrative of God's unwavering justice and the establishment of His righteous kingdom through Jesus Christ. The "sins reaching unto heaven" highlight humanity's profound need for a Savior, for only through Christ's perfect sacrifice could the "record of our sins" be blotted out, as described in [Colossians 2:14](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14 - Cancellation of Debt"). Jesus, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of humanity's accumulated iniquities on the cross, satisfying divine justice. Furthermore, the "remembrance" of iniquities by God in judgment foreshadows Christ's role as the righteous Judge, who will ultimately execute all judgment, as [John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, But Has Given All Judgment to the Son") declares. The fall of Babylon, orchestrated by God's remembrance of her sins, points to the ultimate triumph of Christ's kingdom, where all evil and injustice will be vanquished, and He will reign in perfect righteousness, bringing about a new heaven and a new earth where [righteousness dwells](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth"). Thus, this verse, even in its severity, magnifies the necessity and glory of Christ's redemptive work and His final, victorious reign.

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

Ezra 9:6

And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over [our] head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.

Genesis 18:20

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

Genesis 18:21

I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

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.

Jeremiah 51:9

We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up [even] to the skies.

Jonah 1:2

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

2 Chronicles 28:9

But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name [was] Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage [that] reacheth up unto heaven.