And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
Read it in contextThe Seven Vials of God's Wrath
Start reading at Revelation 16:1 (Revelation 16:1 to Revelation 16:21).
The verse is part of the detailed description of the seven vials of God's wrath, beginning at the start of the chapter.
16:1And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
16:2And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
16:3And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.
16:4And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.
16:5And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus.
16:6For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
16:7And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
16:8And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.
16:9And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.
16:10And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain,
16:11And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.
16:12And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
16:13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
16:14For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
16:15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16:16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
16:17And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
16:18And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
16:19And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
16:20And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
16:21And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
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Who
Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 15:1–18:24): John sees angels with plagues and the judgment against Babylon; kings, merchants, seafarers, and saints are addressed or depicted within the vision. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event is the judgment upon "the great city" and "great Babylon," which receives the full measure of God's fierce wrath, following a great earthquake and the fall of other cities.
What is God revealing? God is revealing the execution of His fierce wrath and judgment upon "the great city" and "great Babylon," demonstrating the certainty of divine retribution against those who have opposed Him.
What is the literary style? The literary style is apocalyptic prophecy, characterized by symbolic language and vivid imagery describing future divine judgments.
When
When was it written? Approximately A.D. 95. book background
When does the event take place? The event takes place in the future, as part of the final judgments described in the book of Revelation, specifically during the pouring out of the seventh vial of God's wrath.
Where
Where did it happen? The events described are global judgments occurring on the earth, specifically impacting "the great city," "the cities of the nations," and "great Babylon."
Where was the author located? The author, John, was located on the Isle of Patmos. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The Seven Vials of God's Wrath (Revelation 16:1 to Revelation 16:21).
Start reading at Revelation 16:1. The verse is part of the detailed description of the seven vials of God's wrath, beginning at the start of the chapter.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse describes a key outcome of the seventh vial of God's wrath, which brings about a massive earthquake and the division of "the great city," leading to the fall of "the cities of the nations" and the specific judgment upon "great Babylon," fulfilling earlier prophecies of her destruction. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? This passage points to Christ by demonstrating the certainty and severity of God's final judgments, which Christ, as the righteous judge and King, will execute to bring about His kingdom and put an end to all opposition, as foreshadowed by His warning, "Behold, I come as a thief" (Revelation 16:15). interpretation
How do I apply it today? This passage serves as a solemn warning that God will ultimately judge all wickedness and opposition to Him, urging individuals today to repent and turn to God, to live righteously, and to remain watchful and prepared for the Lord's coming, as stated in Revelation 16:15. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 16
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe first vials affect people and creation, while heavenly testimony affirms God's justice and the text records continued blasphemy rather than repentance.
Connection to the wholeThe final vial brings the announced completion, upheaval, and remembrance of Babylon, preparing the explanation and fall that follow.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.