And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

REVELATION 17:15KJV
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Revelation 17:15 (KJV)

What does Revelation 17:15 mean?

Revelation 17:15 explains that the "waters" seen in John's vision represent large groups of people—specifically, peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages. The verse clarifies that the symbolic image of a woman sitting on many waters is meant to show her influence or presence over a wide and diverse population.

In this scene, an angel is speaking to John, the author of Revelation, helping him understand the meaning behind the vision he is witnessing. The angel interprets the imagery, making it clear that the "waters" are not literal but stand for the vast and varied groups of humanity under the influence of the symbolic woman described earlier in the chapter.

The Greek behind Revelation 17:15

  • ὕδατα (hydata, "waters"): This word is used symbolically here, and the angel directly explains its meaning, showing that the vision uses imagery to represent real-world groups.
  • λαοί (laoi, "peoples"), ὄχλοι (ochloi, "multitudes"), ἔθνη (ethnē, "nations"), γλῶσσαι (glōssai, "tongues/languages"): These four terms emphasize the diversity and vastness of the groups involved, highlighting that the woman's influence crosses ethnic, cultural, and linguistic boundaries.

Why Revelation 17:15 matters

  • This verse removes confusion by directly interpreting the vision's symbolism, showing that not every image in Revelation is meant to be taken literally.
  • By listing "peoples, multitudes, nations, and tongues," the verse stresses the global and multicultural reach of the symbolic woman’s influence, which is a key theme in the surrounding chapters.
  • The explanation helps readers understand the broader message of Revelation: that the visions often use vivid symbols to describe real-world realities, and sometimes the text itself provides the key to understanding those symbols.

Where else these words appear

“whore” Greek G4204 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
  • Revelation 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

“where” Greek G3757 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
  • Luke 24:28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
  • Acts 25:10 Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.

“tongues” Greek G1100 · used in 47 verses

  • Mark 7:33 And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
  • 1 Corinthians 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
  • 1 Corinthians 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

“waters” Greek G5204 · used in 70 verses

  • Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
  • John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
  • Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.