So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

REVELATION 17:3KJV
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Revelation 17:3 (KJV)

What does Revelation 17:3 mean?

Revelation 17:3 describes John being carried by the Spirit into a wilderness, where he sees a symbolic vision: a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored beast that is covered with blasphemous names and has seven heads and ten horns. This verse introduces a dramatic and mysterious scene meant to convey deeper spiritual truths through vivid imagery.

In this part of the book, the apostle John is being shown a vision by an angel. The setting shifts to a wilderness, which often represents a place of spiritual testing or revelation in the Bible. The woman and the beast are both symbols, and the details—like the scarlet color, the blasphemous names, and the specific numbers of heads and horns—are meant to be unpacked in the following verses for their meaning within the vision.

The Greek behind Revelation 17:3

  • πνεῦμα (pneuma, G4151): This word means "spirit." Here, it indicates that John is experiencing this vision not physically, but through a spiritual encounter or revelation.
  • ἔρημος (erēmos, G2048): This word means "wilderness" or "desolate place." The wilderness setting often signals a place apart from ordinary life, where significant revelations or trials occur.
  • γυναῖκα (gynaika, G1135): This word means "woman." In Revelation, women often symbolize larger groups or entities, not just individuals.
  • θηρίον (thērion, G2342): This word means "beast." In apocalyptic literature, a beast typically represents a powerful, often hostile force or kingdom.
  • βλασφημίας (blasphēmias, G988): This word means "blasphemy" or "slander against God." The beast being "full of names of blasphemy" emphasizes its opposition to God and its arrogant claims.

Why Revelation 17:3 matters

  • This verse sets the stage for one of the most symbolic and debated visions in Revelation, introducing characters and imagery that will be explained in the following verses.
  • The specific mention of seven heads and ten horns connects this beast to earlier visions in Daniel and Revelation, helping readers see the continuity in biblical prophecy.
  • Understanding that John is "in the spirit" and in a "wilderness" helps readers recognize that what follows is a symbolic vision, not a literal event, which is crucial for interpreting the rest of the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“carried” Greek G667 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 15:1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
  • Luke 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
  • 1 Corinthians 16:3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

“coloured” Greek G2847 · used in 6 verses

  • Matthew 27:28 And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe.
  • Hebrews 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,
  • Revelation 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

“horns” Greek G2768 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
  • Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
  • Revelation 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

“of” Greek G1073 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
  • Romans 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
  • Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.