Revelation 18:3
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The verse describes a system that corrupts not just individuals but entire nations and their leaders, enriching merchants through its luxurious living. This isn't just about literal immoral behavior, but a deep spiritual and economic entanglement where profit and decadent lifestyles are built on a foundation of straying from God. It reveals how widespread spiritual "fornication" can become a powerful engine for material gain, drawing everyone into its web.
For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse explains why the judgment described in Revelation 18 is coming upon Babylon. It elaborates on how this corrupt system has seduced nations, corrupted their leaders, and profited merchants through its seductive luxury and idolatry. This sets the stage for the angel's powerful pronouncement and the call for God's people to come out of her before she is destroyed.
The verse paints a picture of nations falling under a spell. What does it mean that 'all nations have drunk the wine'?
A Spiritual Intoxication
The imagery of 'drinking wine' in Scripture often points to being deeply influenced, even intoxicated, by something. Here, 'all nations' have drunk the 'wine of the passion of her sexual immorality.' This isn't literal wine, but a metaphor for the seductive and corrupting influence of Babylon's false system of worship and her luxurious, worldly lifestyle. It suggests a deep spiritual delusion that has spread far and wide, leading people away from God.
The 'Wrath' of Fornication
Some ancient texts suggest the phrase could be "the wrath of her fornication." This highlights a crucial point: her seductive immorality is not just a sin, but it carries an inherent destructive power. The intoxication leads not to pleasure, but ultimately to ruin and divine judgment, a judgment that will fall upon those who have embraced her ways.
The verse specifically calls out 'kings' and 'merchants.' How does this expose the depth of Babylon's corrupting power?
The Compromise of Leaders
"The kings of the earth have committed immorality with her." This speaks to the corruption of political and world leaders. They haven't just been passively influenced; they have actively "committed immorality" with Babylon. This signifies a deep entanglement, where rulers align themselves with this false system, abandoning their responsibility to God and their people for personal gain or power. Their leadership becomes a tool for spreading and maintaining Babylon's influence.
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The Greed of Commerce
"And the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living." This points to the economic dimension of Babylon's corrupting influence. Her "luxury" and "delicacies" represent the material wealth and decadent lifestyle that entice the world. Merchants profit immensely from this system, trading in the very things that fuel Babylon's system and keep people bound to it. Their focus is on profit, not righteousness, making them complicit in the widespread spiritual decay.
Understand the original words
porneia · Greek Noun
Metaphorical language describing the seductive allure of idolatry, worldliness, or spiritual unfaithfulness to God, akin to physical adultery.
porneuō · Greek Verb
The act of engaging in illicit or covenant-breaking behavior, specifically turning away from God to worship false gods or relying on worldly power.
emporos · Greek Noun
Those who exchange, trade, or benefit from the economic systems of the world, often depicted as compromising truth for worldly gain.
strēnos · Greek Noun
Self-indulgent, extravagant, and prideful living that seeks comfort and pleasure apart from God.
This verse uses the imagery of a decadent, luxurious, and corrupt ancient metropolis to symbolize any entity that draws nations and their leaders into its opulent, idolatrous system, making them complicit in its spiritual 'immorality' and commercial exploitation.
c. 1st Century AD
Pax Romana and extensive trade networks
The Roman Empire facilitated unprecedented peace and interconnectedness across vast regions, enabling extensive trade and cultural exchange, which also allowed for the spread of both ideas and luxury goods.
c. 1st-2nd Century AD
Rise of Imperial Cult and Syncretism
Emperors were deified, and various religious practices and deities from across the empire were incorporated into Roman worship, sometimes blurring the lines between civic duty, religious observance, and political power.
c. 1st-4th Century AD— this verse
Growth of Roman Cities as Centers of Luxury and Commerce
Major cities like Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria became hubs of immense wealth, luxury, and sophisticated trade, attracting merchants and influencing cultural norms with their opulent lifestyles.
c. 4th Century AD Onward
Christianity becomes state religion
The adoption of Christianity by the Roman Empire led to the church's increasing integration with political structures and wealth, a phenomenon that would later be seen by some interpreters as a compromise of spiritual purity.
This passage describes Babylon as a golden cup that made the whole earth drunk, mirroring Revelation's depiction of Babylon's corrupting influence on all nations.
Ezekiel 28:4-5This prophecy against the king of Tyre, who is associated with luxury and pride, parallels the description of merchants growing rich from Babylon's 'delicacies' and 'luxurious living'.
2 Peter 2:14This verse speaks of those with eyes full of adultery, who cannot stop sinning, reflecting the 'sexual immorality' and 'adultery' that characterizes Babylon's dealings with nations and kings.
Romans 1:29-32This passage lists various sins, including immorality, greed, and deceit, which are characteristic of the corrupt system described in Revelation 18:3.
ellicottRevelation 18:3: "For 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."
(3) For all nations have drunk . . . —Better, Because by the wrath of her fornication (comp. Revelation 14:8 , and Note there) all the nations have drunk (or, according to another reading, have fallen; the readings are akin: the drinking of it leads to thei…
henryRevelation 18:1-8: "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory."
18:1-8 The downfal and destruction of the mystical Babylon are determined in the counsels of God. Another angel comes from heaven. This seems to be Christ himself, coming to destroy his enemies, and to shed abroad the light of his gospel through all nations. The wickedness of this Babylon was very great; she had forsaken the true God, and set up…
The verse describes a system that corrupts not just individuals but entire nations and their leaders, enriching merchants through its luxurious living. This isn't just about literal immoral behavior, but a deep spiritual and economic entanglement where profit and decadent lifestyles are built on a foundation of straying from God. It reveals how widespread spiritual "fornication" can become a powerful engine for material gain, drawing everyone into its web.
This verse explains why the judgment described in Revelation 18 is coming upon Babylon. It elaborates on how this corrupt system has seduced nations, corrupted their leaders, and profited merchants through its seductive luxury and idolatry. This sets the stage for the angel's powerful pronouncement and the call for God's people to come out of her before she is destroyed.
This verse explains why the judgment described in Revelation 18 is coming upon Babylon. It elaborates on how this corrupt system has seduced nations, corrupted their leaders, and profited merchants through its seductive luxury and idolatry. This sets the stage for the angel's powerful pronouncement and the call for God's people to come out of her before she is destroyed.
"For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious…" — The verse describes a system that corrupts not just individuals but entire nations and their leaders, enriching merchants through its luxurious living. This isn't just about literal immoral behavior,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
