And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

REVELATION 16:19KJV
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Revelation 16:19 (KJV)

What does Revelation 16:19 mean?

Revelation 16:19 describes a moment of great upheaval, where a prominent city is split into three parts, the cities of other nations collapse, and “Babylon” is singled out for God’s special judgment, receiving the full force of His anger. The verse uses vivid imagery to show a decisive act of divine justice against evil powers.

In the setting of Revelation, John is describing visions of God’s final judgments poured out on the earth. The “great city” and “Babylon” are often understood as symbols of powerful, corrupt systems or cities opposed to God. This verse marks a turning point where God remembers Babylon’s wrongdoing and acts to punish it, emphasizing the completeness and seriousness of the judgment.

The Greek behind Revelation 16:19

  • “Babylon” (Βαβυλὼν, Babylōn): The name is used symbolically in Revelation, often representing a center of opposition to God, rather than just the ancient city itself.
  • “Remembrance” (μνημονεύω, mnēmoneuō): The Greek here means to call something to mind or to remember. In this context, it highlights that God has not forgotten Babylon’s actions and is now responding to them.
  • “Fierceness” (θυμός, thymos): This word carries the sense of passionate anger or wrath. It underlines the intensity of God’s response, not just a mild displeasure but a strong, active judgment.
  • “Wrath” (ὀργή, orgē): This Greek word refers to settled, righteous anger. The combination with “thymos” intensifies the picture of God’s judgment as both passionate and just.

Why Revelation 16:19 matters

  • This verse clears up that God’s judgment is not random or forgetful; the idea of “remembrance” shows that God acts with purpose and justice, responding to real wrongdoing.
  • The splitting of the “great city” and the fall of the nations highlight the totality of the upheaval—no power or city is immune from this judgment.
  • By focusing on “Babylon,” the verse connects to a larger theme in Revelation about the downfall of corrupt powers and the ultimate triumph of God’s justice, setting the stage for what follows in the next chapters.

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.

“fierceness” 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 14:19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

“remembrance” Greek G3415 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
  • Luke 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
  • Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

“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;