Revelation 18:21

Translations

Modern

Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.

Traditional

And 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.

Literal

And one strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “Thus Babylon will be cast down with violence, the great city, and shall never be found any longer.

Latin

Et sustulit unus angelus fortis lapidem quasi molarem magnum, et misit in mare, dicens: Hoc impetu mittetur Babylon civitas illa magna, et ultra jam non invenietur.

Original

Greek

English

Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.

Notes

Revelation 18:21

a stone the size of a great millstone: People used heavy millstones, shaped for grinding olives or grain, throughout the ancient world. Jesus also mentioned using such stones for judgment (see Matthew 18:6). The dramatically thrown boulder symbolized that Rome's power was permanently destroyed.

Revelation 18:21–24

The songs about Babylon's fall (Revelation 18:1–24) end with a description of the city's destruction.

Revelation 18:1–24

This chapter includes seven poetic responses to the fall of Babylon or Rome (refer to the study note on Revelation 17:5).

Revelation 17:1–19:10

The main drama in this section shows the powers that stand against God and cause the persecution and suffering of God’s people. Rome’s power attracted and impressed many people (Revelation 17:6). John clearly describes Rome's sins and shares God's judgment (Revelation 17:3–18) before he describes Rome’s fall (18:1–24) and heaven’s response to that fall (19:1–10).

Theme notes and profiles

Babylon Messages Against the Nations Visions

Related verses

Jeremiah 51:63–64
When you finish reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and cast it into the Euphrates.
Ezekiel 26:21
I will make you an object of horror, and you will be no more. You will be sought, but will never be found,’ declares the Lord GOD.”
Revelation 5:2
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
Revelation 18:22
And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will never ring out in you again. Nor will any craftsmen of any trade be found in you again, nor the sound of a millstone be heard in you again.
Job 20:8
He will fly away like a dream, never to be found; he will be chased away like a vision in the night.
Revelation 12:8
But the dragon was not strong enough, and no longer was any place found in heaven for him and his angels.
Revelation 16:20
Then every island fled, and no mountain could be found.
Revelation 20:11
Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.
Daniel 11:19
After this, he will turn back toward the fortresses of his own land, but he will stumble and fall and be no more.
Exodus 15:5
The depths have covered them; they sank there like a stone.
Nehemiah 9:11
You divided the sea before them, and they crossed through it on dry ground. You hurled their pursuers into the depths like a stone into raging waters.
Revelation 10:1
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head. His face was like the sun, and his legs were like pillars of fire.

Places

Babylon: Ancient Mesopotamian city, capital of Babylonian Empire, site of the Tower of Babel

Glossary

Babylon as a Symbol Book of Revelation Lucifer Peter, First Letter of

Topics

Blasphemy: The Wicked Addicted To Martyrdom of Saints, Shall be Avenged Mills: Stones Used in Large

Revelation 18:21

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Places

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Related verses

Glossary

Topics