Revelation 18:20 kjv
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
Revelation 18:20 nkjv
"Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!"
Revelation 18:20 niv
"Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you."
Revelation 18:20 esv
Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, for God has given judgment for you against her!"
Revelation 18:20 nlt
Rejoice over her fate, O heaven
and people of God and apostles and prophets!
For at last God has judged her
for your sakes.
Revelation 18 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 32:43 | "Rejoice with him, O heavens; ... For he will avenge the blood of his servants and take vengeance on his adversaries..." | God's vengeance is cause for heavenly rejoicing. |
| Ps 58:10-11 | "The righteous will rejoice when he sees the vengeance; ... Indeed, there is a God who judges on earth." | Righteous joy in divine judgment. |
| Ps 94:1-2 | "O LORD, God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O Judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve!" | Prayer for God's just vengeance. |
| Prov 11:10 | "When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy." | Public rejoicing at the demise of the wicked. |
| Isa 13:9-10 | "Behold, the day of the LORD comes... to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it." | The "Day of the Lord" bringing judgment and joy. |
| Isa 14:4-8 | "You will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon: 'How the oppressor has ceased! ... The whole earth is at rest...'" | Taunt song and rejoicing over Babylon's fall (OT). |
| Jer 50:45-46 | "Therefore hear the plan that the LORD has made... against Babylon... At the sound of the capture of Babylon the earth trembles." | Prophecy of Babylon's dramatic fall. |
| Jer 51:48 | "Then heaven and earth, and all that is in them, will sing for joy over Babylon, for the destroyers will come to her..." | Heavenly and earthly rejoicing over Babylon's ruin. |
| Rom 12:19 | "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" | Vengeance belongs to God, not humans. |
| 2 Thes 1:6 | "since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you," | God's just retribution for those who persecute. |
| Rev 6:9-10 | "How long, O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" | The cry of the martyrs for divine vengeance. |
| Rev 11:18 | "The time for judging the dead, for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints... and for destroying the destroyers..." | God's final judgment includes rewarding His people. |
| Rev 16:6-7 | "For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve! ... Just are your judgments." | Just punishment for persecuting saints. |
| Rev 17:6 | "And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." | Babylon's culpability for persecuting God's people. |
| Rev 19:1-2 | "After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, 'Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just...'" | Heavenly chorus celebrating God's just judgment. |
| Jude 1:14-15 | "...the Lord comes with myriads of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly..." | God coming with His saints to execute judgment. |
| Matt 23:34-36 | "...that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah..." | Christ's pronouncement of judgment for shed innocent blood. |
| Eph 2:19-20 | "So then you are no longer strangers... but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets..." | The Church's foundation on apostles and prophets. |
| 1 Pet 4:17-19 | "For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God... What will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" | God's judgment ultimately includes those who reject Him. |
| Luke 18:7-8 | "And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily." | God's speedy justice for His chosen ones. |
| Dan 7:21-22 | "As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints..." | Saints' ultimate vindication by God. |
| Hab 2:8 | "...because of the blood of men and violence to the earth, to cities and all who dwell in them." | Babylon's violence will return upon her. |
| Deut 32:35 | "Vengeance is mine, and recompense..." | Foundation of God's right to avenge. |
Revelation 18 verses
Revelation 18 20 Meaning
Revelation 18:20 is a heavenly summons for joyous celebration over the spectacular downfall of Babylon the Great, the symbolic embodiment of all corrupt, anti-God worldly power. It declares that God himself has justly executed judgment, thereby avenging His persecuted people, specifically "saints and apostles and prophets," from her oppression and wicked deeds. This verse contrasts the laments of the world over Babylon's fall with the exultation of heaven, affirming God's righteous vindication of His suffering servants.
Revelation 18 20 Context
Revelation 18 graphically portrays the sudden and total collapse of "Babylon the Great," described earlier as a harlot ruling over nations and responsible for persecuting God's people. This chapter focuses heavily on her economic, political, and spiritual downfall, presented through a series of mournful laments from kings, merchants, and sea captains who had benefited from her power and wealth. Verse 20 provides a striking contrast to these worldly laments. While earthly powers weep over their lost luxury and influence, heaven itself, along with the very saints who were oppressed by Babylon, are called to rejoice. This sets the stage for the climactic exultation in Revelation 19, affirming God's righteous and true judgments against this great persecutor. Historically, "Babylon" is understood as a symbolic representation of imperial Rome in John's time, and by extension, any world system hostile to God and His Church, marked by materialism, luxury, and spiritual harlotry. The call to rejoice is not a human expression of hatred, but a divine affirmation of justice having been perfectly served.
Revelation 18 20 Word analysis
- Rejoice (εὐφραίνου - euphrainou): This is an imperative verb, a command, urging immediate and wholehearted jubilation. It implies merriment, feasting, and deep pleasure. Its use highlights the complete shift from mourning to triumphant celebration upon Babylon's demise.
- over her (ἐπ’ αὐτῇ - ep’ autē): "Over her" emphasizes the specific object of rejoicing—the fallen Babylon. The preposition signifies the cause or ground for the celebration.
- O heaven (οὐρανέ - ourane): A vocative singular, addressing the entirety of the heavens, including angelic hosts and perhaps perfected saints residing there. This indicates that Babylon's judgment is a cosmic event, celebrated by celestial beings, not just earth-dwellers. It points to a divine perspective that differs sharply from worldly lamentations.
- and you saints (καὶ οἱ ἅγιοι - kai hoi hagioi): "Saints" here refers to all believers in Christ, set apart for God. In Revelation, this often refers to those who endure persecution and remain faithful, sometimes specifically martyrs. These are the ones who were oppressed and shed their blood by Babylon (Rev 17:6), and their vindication is paramount.
- and apostles (καὶ οἱ ἀπόστολοι - kai hoi apostoloi): This group represents the foundational figures of the New Testament Church, directly commissioned by Christ. Their inclusion emphasizes that God's judgment specifically addresses the persecution of those who laid the very groundwork of the gospel.
- and prophets (καὶ οἱ προφῆται - kai hoi prophētai): Refers to both Old Testament prophets (like those who foretold Babylon's destruction) and New Testament prophets (who spoke God's truth, often at personal cost). They, too, were recipients of persecution, and their witness is now avenged. This group collectively with "apostles" underscores the entire witness of God's inspired word and its suffering bearers throughout history.
- for God (ὅτι ὁ θεὸς - hoti ho theos): "For" indicates the reason or cause of the rejoicing. "God" is specifically identified as the executor of judgment, underscoring that this is a divine, sovereign act, not merely human action or random chance.
- has avenged you on her (ἔκρινεν τὸ κρίμα ὑμῶν ἐξ αὐτῆς - ekrinen to krima hymōn ex autēs): This crucial phrase literally means "He judged your judgment from her" or "He passed judgment for you against her." It signifies that God executed justice on behalf of His persecuted people. This is not personal, human revenge but divine, righteous vindication. It confirms that the cries of the martyrs for justice (Rev 6:10) have now been answered by God’s righteous and final verdict against the oppressor.
Revelation 18 20 Bonus section
The active participle "avenged" (ἔκρινεν - a form of "judged") indicates that God has completed this act of judgment; it is a done deal, decisive and irreversible. This brings to completion the theme of God’s justice that permeates the book of Revelation, especially regarding the persecution of believers. The specific mention of "apostles and prophets" highlights their pivotal role in bearing God's truth to a hostile world and validates their witness, even in the face of martyrdom. This collective call for celebration from different categories (heavenly hosts, general believers, specific foundational leaders) emphasizes the cosmic scope and eternal significance of Babylon’s judgment – it is a pivotal moment for all creation aligned with God's will.
Revelation 18 20 Commentary
Revelation 18:20 stands as a triumphant antiphon to the laments preceding it, echoing similar rejoicing found in Old Testament prophecies concerning the fall of oppressive empires. The command to "Rejoice" is universal, directed not only at "heaven" (representing divine beings and redeemed souls in glory) but explicitly to "saints and apostles and prophets"—those very groups who have been the primary targets of Babylon's persecution and spiritual corruption. This vindication is the direct answer to the prayers of the martyred saints who cried out for justice (Rev 6:10). The divine judgment enacted by God is depicted as perfectly just ("has avenged you on her"), confirming that suffering under evil powers is temporary and God's sovereign plan culminates in the overthrow of all unrighteousness. This rejoicing signifies the final triumph of God's truth and righteousness over deceit, idolatry, and violent oppression, offering profound encouragement to all who endure tribulation for their faith. It highlights that God always remembers His covenant with His people and acts decisively on their behalf in His perfect timing, proving Himself to be the righteous Judge who defends His own.