Revelation 17:5
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The word "Mystery" isn't just a descriptor, but part of her very name, highlighting that her true nature and influence are hidden, a perversion of God's divine mysteries, and not readily apparent to the unspiritual eye. This grand deception is what makes her the "mother" of abominations, not just a participant, but the source that corrupts others.
And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This vision reveals a grotesque, powerful woman symbolizing a corrupt religious and political system. The angel guides John to understand this woman, who is adorned with jewels and gold but is filled with vile things, and who is shown riding a terrifying beast. The inscription on her forehead exposes her true identity and the source of her corrupting influence on the world.
Why write a name on a forehead? It wasn't just a label; it was a bold, unashamed statement.
In ancient times, harlots sometimes displayed their names publicly, much like a brand or a sign. This practice is mirrored here, but with a profound theological twist.
A Spurious Imitation
Unlike the faithful who bear God's name on their foreheads as a mark of ownership (Revelation 7:3, 14:1), this spiritual harlot bears a name that marks her as belonging to the world and its corrupt systems. It's a counterfeit claim, a false identity.
Open Rebellion
Writing the name on her forehead signifies her utter lack of shame. She doesn't hide her identity or her practices; she openly professes and glories in them before the nations. This bold display reveals her deep-seated rebellion against God and her proud embrace of wickedness.
The name starts with 'Mystery.' What does that really mean in this context?
The term 'Mystery' here isn't about something spooky or unknowable, but rather a profound spiritual truth that was hidden or not immediately obvious.
A Hidden Reality
'Mystery' indicates that Babylon's true nature and allegiance are not what they might appear on the surface. This spiritual harlot may present herself in a certain way, perhaps even cloaked in religious language or seeming piety, but her underlying reality is one of deep corruption and opposition to God.
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The Counterfeit Church
This 'mystery' highlights the danger of a system that claims to be godly but is, in reality, deeply aligned with the world. It's a spiritual counterfeit, an imitation of true faith that leads people astray. The ancient city of Babylon was known for its idolatry and systems opposed to God, and this 'Babylon the Great' carries that same spirit in a spiritual or mystical sense.
She's not just a participant in sin; she's the source. What does it mean to be a 'mother' in this context?
This title reveals Babylon's role as the originator and sustainer of spiritual corruption.
The Source of Seduction
Being the 'mother of harlots' means she doesn't just engage in sin herself; she actively produces and propagates it. She trains, nurtures, and births other systems and individuals who engage in spiritual unfaithfulness. Her influence corrupts others, drawing them into her own pattern of rebellion.
Global Wickedness
The phrase 'abominations of the earth' points to the widespread and pervasive nature of the evil she promotes. These aren't minor infractions but deep-seated evils that defile the entire earth. Babylon the Great is the embodiment of worldly systems that have turned away from God and embraced practices that are detestable in His sight.
Understand the original words
mystērion · Greek Noun
A reality that was once hidden but is now revealed by God to His people; in apocalyptic, it refers to a symbolic truth that requires divine revelation to interpret.
Babylōn · Greek Noun
A symbolic city name representing the pinnacle of rebellion against God, worldly pride, and the source of spiritual corruption throughout history.
The 'Babylon' in Revelation is not just the ancient city but a symbolic representation of any powerful, worldly system that opposes God and persecutes His people. Its inclusion of 'Mystery' highlights its deceptive, spiritual corruption, a stark contrast to the true nature of God's kingdom.
c. 1800 BC
Tower of Babel
The biblical account of the Tower of Babel describes humanity's attempt to build a tower reaching heaven, leading God to scatter people and confuse their languages, marking the origin of diverse nations and the concept of 'Babylon' as a center of human pride and rebellion against God.
c. 626 BC - 539 BC
Neo-Babylonian Empire
Under rulers like Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon became a vast imperial capital, known for its immense power, wealth, and idolatrous practices. This era saw the conquest of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile of the Jews.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
Nebuchadnezzar II's forces destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling many Judeans to Babylon. This event cemented Babylon's image in Jewish consciousness as a powerful, oppressive force that opposed God's people.
c. 40 BC - AD 100
Roman Empire Dominance
Rome became the dominant world power, controlling vast territories and exerting immense political and cultural influence. Its paganism, idolatry, and persecution of early Christians would later be seen by some as echoing ancient Babylon's oppressive nature.
c. AD 64 - AD 96— this verse
Persecution of Christians in Rome
During this period, Rome, particularly under emperors like Nero and Domitian, actively persecuted Christians. This persecution, along with Rome's spiritual and moral corruption, contributed to its symbolic identification with the oppressive 'Babylon' of Revelation.
c. AD 95
Writing of Revelation
The Book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John during a time of intense persecution, likely while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. The visions describe a symbolic 'Babylon' representing the oppressive, anti-God world system embodied by imperial Rome.
This passage speaks of the 'mystery of lawlessness' that was already at work in Paul's day, paralleling the 'mystery' written on Babylon's forehead, indicating a hidden, corrupting influence at work.
Jeremiah 51:7This Old Testament prophecy against literal Babylon describes it as a golden cup that made the whole earth drunk, mirroring the imagery of Revelation's 'Babylon the Great' as a source of spiritual intoxication and corruption for all nations.
Ezekiel 16:44-46This chapter vividly compares Israel to its 'sisters' Sodom and Samaria, highlighting how they became corrupt. This prophetic condemnation of spiritual harlotry in Israel provides a strong conceptual parallel to 'Babylon the Great' being the 'mother of harlots'.
Revelation 14:8This verse directly follows the warning about the fall of Babylon and declares, 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great,' directly echoing and fulfilling the judgment declared against the symbolic city described in chapter 17.
Isaiah 1:21This verse describes Jerusalem as having become a 'harlot' and a 'bloody city,' showing that the concept of a city or nation being spiritually unfaithful and judged for its sins was already established in the Old Testament, setting the stage for Revelation's portrayal of 'Babylon the Great'.
pulpitRevelation 17:5: "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
Verse 5. - And upon her forehead was a name written. Omit "was." Ὄνομα, "name," is dependent upon ἔχουσα, "having," in ver. 4. This practice was customary with harlots (Juv., 'Sat.,' 6:123; Seneca, 'Controv.,' 1:2). In Revelation 14:1 and Revelation 7:3 the faithful members of God's Church have his Name in their foreheads; here the faithless ones, represe…
clarkeRevelation 17:5: "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."
And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots, and Abominations of the Earth - This inscription being written upon her forehead is intended to show that she is not ashamed of her doctrines, but publicly professes and glories in them before the nations: she has indeed a whore's forehead, she has refused to be a…
The word "Mystery" isn't just a descriptor, but part of her very name, highlighting that her true nature and influence are hidden, a perversion of God's divine mysteries, and not readily apparent to the unspiritual eye. This grand deception is what makes her the "mother" of abominations, not just a participant, but the source that corrupts others.
This vision reveals a grotesque, powerful woman symbolizing a corrupt religious and political system. The angel guides John to understand this woman, who is adorned with jewels and gold but is filled with vile things, and who is shown riding a terrifying beast. The inscription on her forehead exposes her true identity and the source of her corrupting influence on the world.
This vision reveals a grotesque, powerful woman symbolizing a corrupt religious and political system. The angel guides John to understand this woman, who is adorned with jewels and gold but is filled with vile things, and who is shown riding a terrifying beast. The inscription on her forehead exposes her true identity and the source of her corrupting influence on the world.
"And on her forehead was written a name of mystery: “Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.”" — The word "Mystery" isn't just a descriptor, but part of her very name, highlighting that her true nature and influence are hidden, a perversion of God's divine mysteries, and not readily apparent to…
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Last reviewed October 2026
