Revelation 18 15

Revelation 18:15 kjv

The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

Revelation 18:15 nkjv

The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

Revelation 18:15 niv

The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn

Revelation 18:15 esv

The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, will stand far off, in fear of her torment, weeping and mourning aloud,

Revelation 18:15 nlt

The merchants who became wealthy by selling her these things will stand at a distance, terrified by her great torment. They will weep and cry out,

Revelation 18 verses

Revelation 18 15 Meaning

Revelation 18:15 portrays the despair and lament of the wealthy merchants who prospered greatly from the economic activities of "Babylon" (symbolizing the world's corrupt systems and luxury). As Babylon suffers its final, devastating judgment, these merchants are depicted standing at a distance, paralyzed by fear of experiencing a similar fate, and expressing profound grief, not for Babylon itself, but for the irreversible loss of their immense wealth derived from it. Their weeping and mourning reveal a sorrow rooted in selfish material loss rather than repentance or compassion for the fallen city.

Revelation 18 15 Context

Revelation 18 vividly describes the fall of "Babylon the Great," which symbolizes the epitome of the world system opposed to God. This chapter follows the theological destruction of the "great harlot" (Rev 17), representing false religion, and now focuses on Babylon's commercial and economic demise. It illustrates the complete collapse of human systems built on materialism, luxury, and opposition to divine will. The verse immediately precedes the specific cries of anguish from sailors and shipmasters, echoing the collective lament of all who financially benefited from Babylon's opulence and global influence. The broader historical and cultural context reflects the pervasive influence of imperial Rome's vast commercial networks and luxurious lifestyle, which benefited a wide array of merchants and traders, many of whom became fabulously wealthy through exploitative practices. The passage functions as a stark warning and a direct polemic against economic idolatry, the allure of material prosperity at any cost, and entanglement with corrupt global systems, echoing ancient prophecies against trade-centric empires like Tyre and Babylon.

Revelation 18 15 Word analysis

• The merchants of these things: (Greek: hoi emporoi toutōn) Refers to wholesale traders, importers/exporters dealing in a wide range of luxury goods and commodities mentioned in previous verses (Rev 18:11-13). They are the agents of international commerce. Their connection is specific: "these things" ties them directly to Babylon's luxury economy, indicating their profits were derived precisely from what Babylon promoted.
• who became rich: (Greek: hoi ploutēsantes) This active participle emphasizes a past, completed action with ongoing results: they did become rich. It highlights that their current status of wealth is a direct consequence of their involvement with Babylon. Their riches were not earned ethically in many cases, but often through the exploitation and corruption associated with Babylon's system.
• from her: (Greek: ek autēs) Points to Babylon as the sole source or primary means of their wealth. It underscores a parasitic relationship; their prosperity was completely dependent on Babylon's existence and activities.
• will stand far off: (Greek: apo makrothen stēsontai) Signifies physical distance and emotional detachment. This distance is out of fear, not out of respect or lament for Babylon itself. It also suggests their inability or unwillingness to offer help, showing their true self-interest. This imagery of bystanders in judgment is common in prophetic literature.
• for fear of her torment: (Greek: dia ton phobon tēs basanou autēs) "Torment" (basanos) can refer to the physical agony of torture, or more broadly, punishment or suffering. Here, it denotes the severity of the judgment afflicting Babylon. Their fear is not out of empathy, but out of self-preservation—they are terrified that Babylon's fate might become theirs.
• weeping and mourning: (Greek: klaiontes kai penthountes) These two terms denote intense expressions of sorrow. "Weeping" (klaiō) typically refers to audible crying, often from deep distress. "Mourning" (penthēō) implies a more profound, inward grief, often accompanied by outward expressions of sorrow. While indicative of severe distress, the context reveals this grief is solely for their financial ruin and personal loss, not for the spiritual implications or for those victimized by Babylon.

Revelation 18 15 Bonus section

The motif of "standing far off" (Rev 18:10, 15, 17) is a recurring literary device in Revelation 18, linking the laments of the kings, merchants, and sailors. It signifies their profound separation from Babylon, their powerlessness to intervene, and their desperate attempt to avoid judgment themselves, even as they profited immensely from her. This distance emphasizes their cowardice and ultimate isolation in the face of divine wrath. Furthermore, the sorrow depicted is explicitly distinct from the "mourning" that might lead to repentance (cf. 2 Cor 7:10). It is a grief solely born of economic ruin, a profound sorrow for lost gain rather than genuine remorse for sin. This highlights the inherent danger of attaching one's identity and security to earthly commodities and systems, rather than to the enduring kingdom of God.

Revelation 18 15 Commentary

Revelation 18:15 vividly exposes the purely self-serving nature of worldly sorrow. The merchants' immense wealth, accrued through entanglement with "Babylon," makes their lament uniquely tragic and illustrative of misplaced values. They "stand far off," not out of reverence or empathy for the destroyed city, but from abject fear that they might suffer a similar "torment." Their "weeping and mourning" is a poignant expression of materialistic grief—sorrow not for unrighteousness, but for lost opportunities, collapsed markets, and extinguished luxury. This serves as a potent warning against idolizing wealth and integrating one's life so deeply with a corrupt system that its fall becomes a personal catastrophe. It underscores the ultimate futility of pursuing riches that are dependent on a system destined for divine judgment, reminding us that attachment to fleeting worldly gains blinds individuals to eternal realities and the true nature of God's justice.