Revelation 18
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedAn angel cries, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen," and a voice says, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues," for she boasted, "I sit a queen," and so "shall her plagues come in one day." Kings, merchants and seamen weep, "Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come," while heaven and the "holy apostles and prophets" are told to rejoice. A mighty angel casts a stone like a millstone into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down," for "in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints." Revelation 18:2Revelation 18:4Revelation 18:7Revelation 18:8Revelation 18:9Revelation 18:10Revelation 18:11Revelation 18:17Revelation 18:20Revelation 18:21Revelation 18:24
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Angels; "my people," called out of Babylon; the kings, merchants and shipmasters who mourn; and the "holy apostles and prophets." Revelation 18:1Revelation 18:4Revelation 18:9Revelation 18:11Revelation 18:17Revelation 18:20
Where
The great city Babylon. Revelation 18:2Revelation 18:10Revelation 18:21Babylon 3
When
Traditionally about AD 95-96, near the end of the emperor Domitian's reign. Most scholars agree; some date it about AD 68-69, soon after Nero's death. Revelation overview
How it fits
Chapter 17 explained the woman Babylon, and this chapter tells of her fall. Chapter 19 begins with heaven's response: "Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God." Revelation 17:18Revelation 18:2Revelation 19:1
Key verses
- Verse 4
"Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Jeremiah 51:6 gave the same call: "Flee out of the midst of Babylon." Revelation 18:4Jeremiah 51:6
- Verse 10
"Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come." Revelation 18:10
- Verse 21
"Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." Revelation 18:21
Takeaway
Do not share in the world's sins or trust its riches, for they will pass away in an hour. Revelation 18:4Revelation 18:17
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-11-01.
Babylon is fallen
1And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3For 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. 4And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
The mourning of kings and merchants
9And 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, 10Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
The millstone
20Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 21And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23And 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. 24And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.