Revelation 12:15 (KJV)

What does Revelation 12:15 mean?

Revelation 12:15 describes the serpent sending a flood of water from his mouth to sweep away the woman, trying to destroy her by overwhelming her with this flood. This image shows the serpent’s attempt to harm or stop the woman by unleashing something powerful and dangerous against her.

In the vision John records, the “serpent” refers to Satan, and the “woman” is often understood as representing God’s people or a faithful community. The scene follows the woman’s escape from danger, with the serpent now attacking her in a new way. The verse uses vivid, symbolic language to show the ongoing struggle between evil and those who belong to God.

The Greek behind Revelation 12:15

• “serpent” (ὄφις, ophis): This word is the same one used for the serpent in Genesis, linking the character here to Satan, the deceiver.
• “cast” (ἔβαλεν, ebalen): This verb means to throw or send out forcefully, emphasizing the deliberate and aggressive action of the serpent.
• “water as a flood” (ὕδωρ ὡς ποταμόν, hydōr hōs potamon): The Greek phrase paints a picture of water like a river or torrent, not just a trickle, suggesting something overwhelming and destructive.
• “after the woman” (ὀπίσω τῆς γυναικός, opisō tēs gynaikos): The phrase shows the serpent’s pursuit, making clear that the attack is targeted specifically at the woman.

Why Revelation 12:15 matters

• The verse highlights the relentless nature of evil’s opposition, showing that even after one attack fails, another follows in a different form.
• The flood imagery connects to other biblical stories of overwhelming danger (like the flood in Genesis or the Red Sea in Exodus), helping readers see the scale of the threat and God’s pattern of deliverance.
• Understanding the symbolic language helps avoid a literal reading and points to the broader spiritual conflict described throughout Revelation.