Revelation 16 11

Revelation 16:11 kjv

And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Revelation 16:11 nkjv

They blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and did not repent of their deeds.

Revelation 16:11 niv

and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

Revelation 16:11 esv

and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.

Revelation 16:11 nlt

and they cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores. But they did not repent of their evil deeds and turn to God.

Revelation 16 verses

Revelation 16 11 Meaning

Revelation 16:11 describes humanity's persistent rebellion and defiance against God during the severe judgment of the bowl plagues. Despite intense physical torment from their pains and malignant sores, instead of turning in sorrow and repentance to God, they intensified their blasphemy against Him. This verse highlights the profound hardness of human hearts that, even under the direct hand of divine judgment, remain unrepentant and continue in their evil ways.

Revelation 16 11 Context

Revelation 16:11 is part of the outpouring of the seven bowl judgments, which represent God's final, unmitigated wrath upon a rebellious earth before the ultimate return of Christ. This specific verse follows the fifth bowl, which poured out upon the throne of the beast, bringing intense darkness and pain. It details the response of those afflicted by the sixth bowl's effects, intensifying their previous reaction from Rev 16:9. Rather than a turning point for repentance, the extreme suffering serves to harden their hearts further. This highlights a critical theme in Revelation: judgment is not merely retributive but also serves as a final call to repentance, which is ultimately rejected by those entrenched in rebellion. Historically, this resistance to God's judgment can be understood against the backdrop of pervasive emperor worship and societal defiance against Christian teachings prevalent in the Roman Empire, where suffering often led to deeper entrenchment in pagan practices rather than seeking the true God.

Revelation 16 11 Word analysis

• And: (καὶ – kai) Connects the ongoing actions, showing a continuation of humanity's previous defiant response from Rev 16:9.
• blasphemed: (ἐβλασφήμησαν – eblasphemēsan) From βλασφημέω (blasphemeō), meaning to speak impiously, revile, defame, or utter words of contempt against God or sacred things. It signifies an intentional and defiant rejection of divine authority, directly contrasting God's holiness. This isn't just complaining, but a malicious verbal attack.
• the God: (τὸν Θεὸν – ton Theon) Refers to the singular, true God, creator and judge.
• of heaven: (τοῦ οὐρανοῦ – tou ouranou) This epithet emphasizes God's supreme transcendence, ultimate authority, and divine origin over earthly powers. It directly counters any idolatry or human authority claiming supremacy, such as the Roman emperors often worshipped as divine. It is a common Old Testament descriptor highlighting His majestic and sovereign rule from above. This reinforces that the torment is from the highest authority, not an arbitrary force.
• because of: (ἐκ – ek) Denotes the cause or origin, indicating their suffering directly fueled their blasphemy, rather than prompting self-reflection.
• their pains: (τῶν ὀδυνῶν – tōn odynōn) Refers to severe physical agony, distress, and torment. This pain is real and acute, yet it perversely leads to rebellion rather than repentance.
• and their sores: (καὶ τῶν ἑλκῶν – kai tōn helkōn) These are malignant ulcers or boils, a severe and disgusting affliction, explicitly mirroring the first bowl plague (Rev 16:2) and recalling the sixth Egyptian plague (Ex 9:9-11). The term suggests a pervasive, incurable ailment.
• and did not repent: (καὶ οὐ μετενόησαν – kai ou metenoēsan) From μετανοέω (metanoeō), meaning "to change one's mind," implying a turning away from sin and toward God, often involving remorse and sorrow for past actions. The negative particle "οὐ" (ou) indicates a decisive, definitive refusal; it's a hardened, determined rejection of change. This is the crucial point: despite intense suffering, there is no change of heart.
• of their deeds: (τῶν ἔργων αὐτῶν – tōn ergōn autōn) Refers to their actions, conduct, and moral character. Their continued defiance and blasphemy stem from the persistent wickedness embedded in their ways of life. This signifies that their spiritual corruption is active and manifests through their deeds, refusing any alteration of their moral course.

• "blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores": This phrase reveals the profound spiritual perversity. The suffering, divinely intended to prompt a turn to God, instead incites further defiant verbal assault against Him. The severity of the torment only amplifies their deep-seated rebellion, proving that mere physical duress cannot change a hardened heart. The target of their blasphemy—"the God of heaven"—underscores their deliberate contempt for the ultimate sovereign power.
• "and did not repent of their deeds": This highlights the core issue of human free will and obstinacy. Even when directly confronted with the consequences of their actions through God's wrath, their spiritual stubbornness remains unbroken. It’s not just a momentary lapse, but a sustained, fundamental refusal to change their mind and heart about their evil conduct, illustrating a complete rejection of God's call to repentance.

Revelation 16 11 Bonus section

The "God of heaven" title carries significant theological weight, frequently used in post-exilic Old Testament books (like Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, Jonah) where God's people were often surrounded by pagan empires. It emphasized YHWH's universal sovereignty above all other deities and earthly rulers, directly challenging any claims of emperor worship or polytheism prevalent in John's context. The ultimate failure of these severe plagues to induce repentance underscores the theological principle that divine judgment, while just, is not always salvific in effect, particularly when faced with utterly hardened hearts. It speaks to the boundaries of divine intervention, respecting human agency to choose sustained rebellion, even to their own undoing. This verse serves as a sober warning that increasing affliction, apart from God's grace and an open heart, can ironically deepen one's resistance to divine truth rather than facilitate a return to Him.

Revelation 16 11 Commentary

Revelation 16:11 starkly depicts the climax of humanity's rebellion against God during the severe bowl judgments. Despite unprecedented suffering from plague-like sores and unbearable pain, those afflicted do not soften their hearts but instead lash out against the "God of heaven," the transcendent and sovereign Lord. This verse demonstrates a spiritual paradox: divine judgment, meant to call humanity to repentance, becomes a catalyst for further defiance due to entrenched wickedness. The people are not simply in pain; they blame and rail against the source of their suffering, refusing to acknowledge their own sinfulness as the root cause. This reveals a deep-seated spiritual blindness and a deliberate choice for sustained rebellion, even unto self-destruction, emphasizing that true repentance is a transformation of the heart, not merely a response to external duress. The scene foreshadows the final, irreconcilable division between those who follow God and those who remain unyieldingly defiant.