Revelation 17:15
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse reveals that the seemingly chaotic "waters" aren't just random crowds, but specific groups of people. The angel's explanation highlights that the harlot's influence spans across diverse populations, encompassing "peoples and multitudes, and nations and tongues," showing the widespread reach of her deceptive power.
And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The angel is now directly explaining the symbolic language John has seen, revealing that the "waters" upon which the great prostitute sits are not literal bodies of water, but vast masses of humanity. This clarifies that her immense influence and seductive power extend over diverse populations, encompassing people from every nation and language, just as she is depicted as ruling over kings in the preceding vision.
In Revelation, imagery often carries deep meaning. What does the 'water' truly represent in this vision?
The angel clarifies a powerful symbol for John: the vast waters where the infamous harlot sits are not literal water, but humanity itself. "Peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues" paints a picture of the entire global population. This imagery highlights the immense scope of the deception and influence wielded by the figure described in the vision. Think of it like a restless, surging sea – representing the sheer volume and diversity of people.
This isn't just about numbers; it's about the global, cross-cultural nature of the system being depicted. It draws people from every corner of the earth, encompassing all sorts of backgrounds and languages. The harlot doesn't just influence a small group; her seat is upon the very masses of humanity.
The harlot doesn't just sit near the waters; she sits on them. What does this strategic positioning reveal?
The waters, representing all of humanity, are the very foundation upon which this deceptive power is built and sustained. It's not an accidental placement; it signifies that the harlot's authority, influence, and existence are entirely dependent on the people she sways. She 'sits' upon them, indicating control, dominance, and a place of rest and power derived from the masses.
This highlights a critical truth: deceptive systems thrive by capturing the hearts and minds of people. They offer something that appeals to human desires, pride, or perceived needs, and in return, they gain a platform and power. The vastness of the 'waters' underscores the immense and diverse human resource that such forces can exploit.
Ask a follow-up
Understand the original words
hydōr · Greek Noun
In apocalyptic symbolism, chaotic or vast bodies of water often represent the nations of the world or the mass of humanity apart from God.
pornē · Greek Noun
A symbolic figure representing spiritual infidelity, idolatry, or a system that leads people away from exclusive worship of the true God.
The angel's explanation directly links the 'waters' to the diverse populations controlled by a dominant power, echoing ancient and contemporary empires known for their vast, multilingual rule.
c. 740 BC
Assyrian Empire's Expansion
The Neo-Assyrian Empire was a major power, known for its vast empire encompassing diverse peoples and languages, which served as a backdrop for prophetic imagery of overwhelming forces.
c. 605 BC
Babylonian Deportations Begin
Nebuchadnezzar's first deportation of Judean elites to Babylon, marking the rise of Babylon as a dominant empire and setting a precedent for empires ruling over many nations.
c. 539 BC
Fall of Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, conquers Babylon, illustrating the rise and fall of world powers that controlled vast, diverse populations.
c. 1st century AD
Roman Empire Dominates
The Roman Empire controlled a vast territory with immense diversity in languages and cultures, providing a contemporary context for understanding symbols of imperial power.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
The devastating fire that ravaged Rome, leading to persecution of Christians and significant urban upheaval, a period of instability and political tension.
c. AD 95— this verse
John's Vision on Patmos
The apostle John receives the visions of Revelation while exiled on the island of Patmos, likely during the reign of Emperor Domitian, a time of imperial power and persecution.
This passage uses the imagery of overflowing waters and mighty rivers to represent invading armies and vast, overwhelming multitudes, directly paralleling the symbolism used in Revelation 17:15.
Daniel 4:1King Nebuchadnezzar's decree about the 'peace, prosperity, and increase' of his kingdom speaks of a vast dominion over 'peoples, nations, and languages,' echoing the scope of power represented by the waters in Revelation.
Revelation 7:9This verse describes a great multitude standing before the throne, composed of 'every nation, tribe, people, and language,' offering a contrasting vision of unity in worship compared to the diverse masses controlled by the harlot.
Psalm 107:23-30This psalm vividly describes God's power over the chaotic sea and the people within it, showing how divine authority contrasts with the destructive influence of the multitudes described in Revelation 17:15.
barnesRevelation 17:15: "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."
And he saith unto me - The angel, Revelation 17:7 . This commences the more "literal" statement of what is meant by these symbols. See the Analysis of the chapter. The waters which thou sawest - See the notes on Revelation 17:1. Are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues - For an explanation of these terms, see the notes on Revelation…
clarkeRevelation 17:15: "And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues."
And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues - "So many words," Bishop Newton observes, "in the plural number, fitly denote the great extensiveness of her power and jurisdiction. She herself glories in the title of the Catholic Church, and exults in the number…
This verse reveals that the seemingly chaotic "waters" aren't just random crowds, but specific groups of people. The angel's explanation highlights that the harlot's influence spans across diverse populations, encompassing "peoples and multitudes, and nations and tongues," showing the widespread reach of her deceptive power.
The angel is now directly explaining the symbolic language John has seen, revealing that the "waters" upon which the great prostitute sits are not literal bodies of water, but vast masses of humanity. This clarifies that her immense influence and seductive power extend over diverse populations, encompassing people from every nation and language, just as she is depicted as ruling over kings in the preceding vision.
The angel is now directly explaining the symbolic language John has seen, revealing that the "waters" upon which the great prostitute sits are not literal bodies of water, but vast masses of humanity. This clarifies that her immense influence and seductive power extend over diverse populations, encompassing people from every nation and language, just as she is depicted as ruling over kings in the preceding vision.
"And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages." — This verse reveals that the seemingly chaotic "waters" aren't just random crowds, but specific groups of people. The angel's explanation highlights that the harlot's influence spans across diverse po…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
