Revelation 18:2-5 ESV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:3

This verse is very similar to Revelation 17:2. However it seems that in view of the description God gave of Babylon in the rest of chapter 18 it is not exactly the same Babylon pictured in chapter 17. The political, economic, commercial system that originated in Babylon and that leaves God out seems to be in view here. Her philosophy has influenced all the nations that have acted immorally as a result and grown rich at the expense of and in defiance of others. Babylon’s influence has been... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:4

Another voice from heaven instructed God’s people to separate from the system that the city symbolizes so they would avoid getting caught in her judgment. The being speaking is evidently an angel who speaks for God (Revelation 18:4-5; cf. Revelation 11:3; Revelation 22:7-8). He called God’s people to leave a city (cf. Genesis 12:1; Genesis 19:12; Exodus 8:1; Numbers 16:26; Isaiah 48:20; Isaiah 52:11; Jeremiah 50:8; Jeremiah 51:6-9; Jeremiah 51:45), but beyond that to forsake the enticements of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:4-8

The call for God’s people to leave Babylon 18:4-8 read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:4-20

The prediction of the voice from heaven 18:4-20This section contains a call for believers to leave Babylon, laments over Babylon’s destruction by those afflicted by it, and rejoicing in heaven over Babylon’s fall. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:5

Another reason for abandoning Babylon and Babylonianism is that God is about to judge her. Her sins, like the bricks used to build the tower of Babel (Genesis 11:3-4), have accumulated so they finally reach heaven. She has exhausted God’s patience (cf. Jeremiah 51:9). God has noticed and remembered her sins, and because He is righteous, He must judge them. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Revelation 18:2

18:2 hold (f-24) hold (f-31) Or 'prison,' where they are confined. read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Revelation 18:5

18:5 another (g-9) Lit. 'joined together.' read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 18:1-24

The Fall of BabylonIn the last c., the fall of Rome, and the manner of its fall, were prophetically announced. In this c., the greatness of the tragedy is shown by songs of thanksgiving and of lamentation which it calls forth.As was suggested on Revelation 17, we may believe that the songs of the joy of angels over sinners that repent have taken the place of these songs. Yet they serve their purpose in encouraging God’s people to faith and endurance when at any time wickedness and worldliness... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 18:2

(2) And he cried . . .—We must omit “mightily,” and render, And he cried in a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, and is become an habitation of demons, and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hated bird. Those who walk in darkness, and whose eyes the god of this world hath blinded through their lusts, look only on the material side, upon prosperous times, large revenues, rapidly developing resources. The great city of the world looks fair... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 18:3

(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 their degradation and fall), and the kings of the earth committed (not “have committed”) fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth waxed rich out of the strength of her luxury. She has been an enemy to mankind viewed in three great... read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:3

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:4

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:4-8

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:4-20

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Revelation 18:5

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Revelation 18:2

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - Revelation 18:5

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 18:1-24

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 18:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 18:3

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