For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

REVELATION 16:6KJV
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Revelation 16:6 (KJV)

What does Revelation 16:6 mean?

Revelation 16:6 says that those who have killed God’s faithful people and prophets are now being given blood to drink as a punishment that fits their crimes, because they deserve it. The verse highlights a direct connection between what these people have done and the judgment they are now facing.

In this verse, an angel is speaking as part of the vision John receives about God’s final judgments on the earth. The angel explains why a terrible plague—turning water into blood—has come upon certain people: they are guilty of shedding the blood of saints (God’s holy people) and prophets. The punishment is described as fitting and deserved, showing a sense of justice in how God responds to evil.

The Greek behind Revelation 16:6

  • "ἔχεαν" (echean, “shed”): This word means to pour out or spill, often used for blood in violent contexts. Here, it emphasizes the deliberate and violent actions against saints and prophets.
  • "ἁγίων" (hagiōn, “saints”): This term means “holy ones” and refers to people set apart for God, not just especially good people but all who belong to God.
  • "ἀξιοί" (axioi, “worthy”): The Greek here carries the sense of being deserving or fitting for something, often in a judicial or moral sense. The verse stresses that the punishment matches the crime.

Why Revelation 16:6 matters

  • Revelation 16:6 makes clear that God’s judgment is not random or cruel, but directly related to the actions of those being judged; the punishment fits the crime.
  • The verse connects the suffering of God’s people throughout history with God’s promise to bring justice, showing that their suffering has not been forgotten.
  • It helps the reader understand the seriousness with which God views violence against His people, and the certainty that such acts will be answered with justice.

Where else these words appear

“shed” Greek G1632 · used in 28 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.
  • Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
  • Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

“worthy” Greek G514 · used in 39 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Luke 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:4 And if it be meet that I go also, they shall go with me.

“drink” Greek G4095 · used in 66 verses

  • Matthew 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
  • Luke 5:33 And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink?
  • John 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

“blood” Greek G129 · used in 92 verses

  • Matthew 16:17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
  • Acts 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
  • Hebrews 9:25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;