Bible Strands
Revelation 17:6
I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — John records his vision of the woman marked as Babylon the Great while the angel stands ready to explain her mystery in Revelation 17:7. He notes his own reaction of utter amazement at the sight before receiving the interpretation.
The words — The Greek term μεθύουσαν (methuousan) literally means "being drunk" or "intoxicated," describing the woman's state. It is modified by ἐκ τοῦ αἵματος (ek tou haimatos), indicating she is intoxicated "with the blood."
The thread — The motif of blood-drinking as judgment or guilt appears in Revelation 16:6, where the wicked are given blood to drink as they deserve. The oppression of God's people parallels Daniel 7:25, which describes a power intending to change appointed times and oppress the saints.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that the woman's power and influence are sustained by the violent persecution of believers. It requires the reader to acknowledge that such brutality provokes divine scrutiny and will be met with corresponding judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Cross-references
- Revelation 16:6 For they have spilled the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink, as they deserve.”
- Revelation 13:15 The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.
- Daniel 7:25 He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.
- Revelation 2:13 I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits, yet you hold fast to My name. You did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of My faithful witness Antipas, who was killed among you where Satan dwells.
- Acts 22:20 And when the blood of Your witness Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
- Revelation 12:11 They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
- Revelation 18:20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced for you His judgment against her.
- Habakkuk 1:13 Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
- Revelation 13:7 Then the beast was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them, and it was given authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
- Daniel 7:21 As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and prevailing against them,