And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

REVELATION 14:8KJV
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Revelation 14:8 (KJV)

What does Revelation 14:8 mean?

Revelation 14:8 announces that “Babylon,” described as a great city, has fallen because she led all nations into moral corruption, pictured as making them drink the “wine of the wrath of her fornication.” This verse signals a decisive judgment against Babylon for spreading spiritual and ethical ruin among the nations.

In the setting of Revelation, an angel is speaking this message as part of a series of warnings and announcements in John’s vision. “Babylon” here is often understood as a symbol for a powerful, corrupt system or city that influences the world away from God. The verse uses vivid imagery to show that Babylon’s actions have brought about her own downfall, emphasizing the seriousness of her influence and the certainty of her judgment.

The Greek behind Revelation 14:8

  • Βαβυλὼν (Babylon, transliterated “Babulōn”): This name is used symbolically in Revelation, drawing on the Old Testament city known for its pride and opposition to God. Here, it likely represents a broader corrupt power rather than just a literal city.
  • ποτίζω (potizō, “made...drink”): The Greek word means to cause someone to drink, often forcefully. This highlights that Babylon actively led or pressured the nations into sharing her corrupt ways, not just passively influencing them.
  • οἶνος (oinos, “wine”): Wine is used as a metaphor for something intoxicating and corrupting. In this context, it represents the seductive and destructive nature of Babylon’s influence.
  • θυμός (thymos, “wrath”): This word refers to passionate anger or fury. The phrase “wine of the wrath of her fornication” suggests that Babylon’s immoral actions provoke a strong, negative response, both from God and in their consequences.

Why Revelation 14:8 matters

  • Revelation 14:8 clarifies that the downfall of Babylon is not accidental but a direct result of her actions in corrupting the nations, showing a cause-and-effect relationship.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Revelation of God’s judgment against systems and powers that lead people away from truth and righteousness.
  • Understanding the symbolic use of “Babylon” helps readers see that the warning applies not just to one historical city, but to any force or culture that spreads widespread moral and spiritual decay.

Where else these words appear

“Babylon” Greek G897 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 1:11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
  • Acts 7:43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon.
  • Revelation 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

“made” Greek G4222 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
  • Matthew 27:48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

“wrath” Greek G2372 · used in 18 verses

  • Luke 4:28 And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
  • Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
  • Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

“wine” Greek G3631 · used in 25 verses

  • Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
  • John 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
  • Titus 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;