Revelation 18:24
And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just about listing victims; it reveals that Babylon's fundamental nature, its very foundation, was built upon and saturated with the blood of God's faithful. The statement "in her was found" suggests this bloodshed wasn't incidental but an inherent part of her identity, a stain so deep it was discoverable within her ruin.
This verse concludes the angelic pronouncement on Babylon, revealing the deep stain of its sin. It's not just about commercial corruption; the city is found to be stained with the blood of God's faithful messengers and followers throughout history, echoing the ancient cry for justice for the innocent victims shed on earth. This bloodguilt is presented as a fundamental characteristic of this oppressive system, highlighting the finality of its judgment.
This verse paints a stark picture of a city saturated with the blood of God's faithful. But how can one city bear the guilt of 'all' who have been slain?
Revelation 18:24 declares that 'in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.' This isn't just a literal accounting of deaths that happened within the city limits.
A Cosmic Reckoning
Think of it as a cosmic ledger. This 'city' (representing a powerful, oppressive system) has, through its ideology, actions, and influence, been the driving force behind or a major supporter of persecution throughout history.
It signifies that the very foundation and essence of this oppressive system are built upon the suffering and demise of those who stand for God.
The 'blood' found in this city isn't just physical; it speaks to a deeper spiritual corruption. What does this reveal about the true nature of this entity?
The blood found 'in her' points to the profound spiritual defilement and wickedness of the system being described, commonly understood as spiritual Babylon.
More Than Just a Place
This 'city' is a powerful symbol of a system that opposes God and His people. Its 'guilt' is found in:
Understand the original words
prophētēs · Greek Noun
Those who bring God's message to His people, often suffering persecution or death for their faithfulness to the divine commission.
hagios · Greek Noun/Adjective
A person who is set apart for God, recognized for their holiness and faithful adherence to Christ, often used in the New Testament to describe all believers.
Jesus speaks of the blood of all the righteous being required of that generation, a theme echoed here as the culmination of all bloodshed being found in this symbolic city.
Luke 11:50This verse directly connects the blood of prophets and apostles to the current generation, aligning with Revelation's portrayal of a system accountable for all such past atrocities.
Jeremiah 51:49Jeremiah describes Babylon's fall and states, 'And Babylon shall fall, her slain shall fill the earth,' showing a parallel in the judgment upon a corrupt city and its immense bloodshed.
Hebrews 11:32-38This passage lists the suffering and persecution faced by faithful individuals throughout history, providing the backdrop of the 'prophets and saints' whose blood is symbolically found in the judgment of Revelation.
Revelation 6:10The cry of the martyrs in Revelation 6, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell in the earth?' is directly answered by the judgment described in Revelation 18.
barnesRevelation 18:24: "And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth."
And in her - When she came to be destroyed, and her real character was seen. Was found the blood of prophets - Of the public teachers of the true religion. On the word "prophets" see the notes on Revelation 18:20. And of saints - Of the holy. See the notes on Revelation 18:20. And of all that were slain upon the earth - So numerous have been the slain, so constant and bloody…
cambridgeRevelation 18:24: "And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth."
24 . And in her ] St John passes from recording the angel’s denunciation to the impression made on his own mind by the judgement he witnessed. of all that were slain upon the earth ] Cf. Jeremiah 51:49 , where however, if the A. V. be right, the sense is rather different. “The slain of all the earth” here seem to mean “the slain of (the spiritual) Israel,” there , the allies…
This verse isn't just about listing victims; it reveals that Babylon's fundamental nature, its very foundation, was built upon and saturated with the blood of God's faithful. The statement "in her was found" suggests this bloodshed wasn't incidental but an inherent part of her identity, a stain so deep it was discoverable within her ruin.
This verse concludes the angelic pronouncement on Babylon, revealing the deep stain of its sin. It's not just about commercial corruption; the city is found to be stained with the blood of God's faithful messengers and followers throughout history, echoing the ancient cry for justice for the innocent victims shed on earth. This bloodguilt is presented as a fundamental characteristic of this oppressive system, highlighting the finality of its judgment.
This verse concludes the angelic pronouncement on Babylon, revealing the deep stain of its sin. It's not just about commercial corruption; the city is found to be stained with the blood of God's faithful messengers and followers throughout history, echoing the ancient cry for justice for the innocent victims shed on earth. This bloodguilt is presented as a fundamental characteristic of this oppressive system, highlighting the finality of its judgment.
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Even if specific individuals within the system don't directly shed blood, the system itself, by its very nature and aims, is responsible for the bloodshed it inspires or allows.
"And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on earth.”" — This verse isn't just about listing victims; it reveals that Babylon's fundamental nature, its very foundation, was built upon and saturated with the blood of God's faithful. The statement "in her wa…
