Revelation 18:11 kjv
And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
Revelation 18:11 nkjv
"And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise anymore:
Revelation 18:11 niv
"The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes anymore?
Revelation 18:11 esv
And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, since no one buys their cargo anymore,
Revelation 18:11 nlt
The merchants of the world will weep and mourn for her, for there is no one left to buy their goods.
Revelation 18 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ezek 27:36 | The merchants among the nations... will hiss at you; you will be a horror... | Tyre's commercial fall. |
| Ezek 28:5 | By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. | Pride of worldly wealth. |
| Isa 23:14 | Wail, you ships of Tarshish; for your fortress is destroyed. | Merchants' lament over Tyre. |
| Jer 50:46 | At the sound of the capture of Babylon the earth will tremble... | The world shaken by Babylon's fall. |
| Jer 51:63-64 | "...Babylon will sink and will not rise again..." | Utter destruction of Babylon. |
| Nahum 3:16 | You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of heaven... | Merchants of Nineveh, prior to judgment. |
| Matt 6:19-20 | Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven... | Transient nature of earthly riches. |
| Luke 12:16-21 | The parable of the rich fool who stored up treasures for himself but was not rich toward God. | Folly of worldly accumulation. |
| Jas 5:1-3 | Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you... | Warning to the rich oppressing others. |
| 1 Tim 6:7-10 | For we brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing out of it... | Love of money is a root of evil. |
| Rev 18:9 | And the kings of the earth... will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke... | Kings also mourn Babylon's fall. |
| Rev 18:15 | The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off... | Merchants observe and mourn from a distance. |
| Rev 18:19 | And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying... | Mariners also lament Babylon's destruction. |
| Rev 13:17 | ...that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark... | Economic control in the End Times (Antichrist). |
| Rev 17:16 | And the ten horns... shall hate the whore... and make her desolate... | Aspects of judgment enacted by allies. |
| Isa 14:12-16 | How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning... | Pride leading to a great fall (Satan/Babylon). |
| Psa 62:10 | ...if riches increase, set not your heart on them. | Warning against trust in wealth. |
| Prov 11:28 | Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf. | Consequence of trusting in wealth. |
| Jer 9:17-19 | Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider, and call for the mourning women... | Professional mourners summoned in judgment. |
| Isa 55:1 | "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat..." | Contrast: spiritual buying without money. |
| Matt 16:26 | For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? | The worthlessness of worldly gain compared to soul. |
| Phil 3:7-8 | But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. | Value of Christ over earthly gains. |
Revelation 18 verses
Revelation 18 11 Meaning
Revelation 18:11 describes the reaction of the "merchants of the earth" to the destruction of Babylon the Great. Their sorrow is profound, characterized by weeping and mourning, but it stems purely from self-interest: their vast commercial enterprise has collapsed because no one is able to purchase their goods and cargo any longer. This signifies a complete economic devastation and the end of a system that profited immensely from Babylon's influence and corruption.
Revelation 18 11 Context
Revelation chapter 18 details the definitive fall and destruction of "Babylon the Great," portrayed as a powerful and corrupt world system or city that opposes God and deceives nations with its lavish lifestyle and commercial activities. While chapter 17 focused on its harlot-like spiritual corruption and relationship with worldly powers, chapter 18 vividly portrays its sudden, complete, and final ruin, specifically highlighting the economic collapse that accompanies its destruction. Verse 11 falls within a series of laments by various groups who benefited from Babylon: first kings (v. 9-10), then merchants (v. 11-17), and finally mariners and shipmasters (v. 17-19). Each lament underscores the specific loss they experience due to Babylon's downfall, revealing their allegiance was not to truth or righteousness, but to profit and worldly luxury. Historically, Babylon evokes ancient empires (Mesopotamian Babylon, Persian, Roman) known for their power, wealth, idolatry, and oppression, acting as a powerful symbol for any earthly system that sets itself against God. The passage serves as a stark warning against idolatry of wealth and alliance with ungodly worldly systems.
Revelation 18 11 Word analysis
- And: Connects this group's lament to the previous one (kings). The mourning is widespread among those connected to Babylon.
- the merchants: (Greek: emporoi, ἔμποροι). Refers to those involved in large-scale international trade, importers and exporters who accumulate vast wealth. Unlike local traders, these merchants would traverse vast distances, bringing luxury goods to Babylon, symbolizing the global reach of Babylon's economic influence. Their livelihood was deeply entwined with this corrupt system.
- of the earth: Emphasizes the global scope of Babylon's influence and the universal impact of its collapse. This isn't a localized event but a world-altering one for those focused on worldly wealth.
- shall weep: (Greek: klaiō, κλαίω). Implies audible expression of grief, lamenting, often associated with intense sorrow over a great loss, even crying out loud.
- and mourn: (Greek: pentheō, πενθέω). Suggests a deeper, more profound sorrow, often associated with grief over death or profound disaster. Their grief is real, but it is a grief of loss of self-interest rather than repentance or sorrow for the sin of Babylon.
- over her: Referring to "Babylon the Great." Their lament is for Babylon because its demise directly affects their wealth and livelihood.
- for no man buyeth: This is the pivotal reason for their sorrow. The market has completely ceased. The system of supply and demand that fueled their prosperity is utterly broken.
- their merchandise: (Greek: gomon, γόμον). Denotes freight or cargo, the actual goods transported by ship or other means for trade. Revelation 18:12-13 elaborates on the vast array of luxury goods involved, even extending to "souls of men," indicating the pervasive dehumanizing effect of Babylon's economy. The word suggests commodities meant for sale and consumption, items of worldly desire and extravagance.
- any more: Signifies the absolute and permanent cessation of trade, emphasizing the finality of Babylon's destruction and the economic paralysis that follows.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her": This phrase paints a picture of intense sorrow among those whose worldly pursuits align with Babylon. Their tears are for lost revenue, not for Babylon's spiritual decay or God's righteousness. It highlights a common human tendency to value material wealth over eternal truth.
- "for no man buyeth their merchandise any more": This provides the clear, immediate, and selfish motivation for their weeping and mourning. The total collapse of demand and supply for their goods signifies the end of their profit, their power, and their status, underscoring the vanity and ephemerality of worldly economic systems that operate outside God's will. The judgment hits them where it truly matters to them: their wallets.
Revelation 18 11 Bonus section
The complete cessation of trade ("no man buyeth") is an act of divine control that completely subverts human economic power structures. While worldly systems may attempt to control "buying and selling" through various means (Rev 13:17), here, God utterly stops it, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty over all creation and commerce. This divine intervention serves as a counter-narrative to human boasts of economic invincibility and unending prosperity, particularly for those systems built on exploitation, pride, and defiance of God. It acts as a profound reversal of earthly values, where that which was considered most valuable (luxury goods, profit) suddenly becomes worthless.
Revelation 18 11 Commentary
Revelation 18:11 powerfully depicts the direct, material consequences of God's judgment on the corrupt worldly system represented by Babylon. The merchants, epitomizing the spirit of commercial greed and luxury, lament not out of spiritual remorse for Babylon's wickedness, but from raw self-interest over the absolute ruin of their lucrative enterprise. Their wails underscore a critical biblical principle: wealth amassed through unrighteousness and association with ungodly systems is transient and subject to divine reckoning. This scene vividly portrays the futility of trusting in earthly riches, revealing that those whose hearts are bound to the world's economy will share in its inevitable downfall. The ultimate cessation of "buying" signifies an unrecoverable collapse, an abrupt end to the consumption-driven idolatry.