Question 1

What does Revelation 17:6 mean?

Accepted Answer

Revelation 17:6 describes a vision where John sees a woman who is "drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus," and he reacts with great astonishment. This verse highlights the shocking extent of the woman's violence against those faithful to Jesus, leaving John deeply amazed by what he witnesses. In this passage, John, the author of Revelation, is being shown a symbolic vision by an angel. The "woman" represents a powerful and corrupt force that has persecuted followers of Jesus ("saints" and "martyrs"). John's reaction of wonder and admiration is not positive approval, but a sense of being overwhelmed and disturbed by the scale and horror of what he sees.

Question 2

The Greek behind Revelation 17:6

Accepted Answer

The word for "drunken" (μεθύουσα, methuousa) means more than just having drunk; it suggests being completely filled or intoxicated, emphasizing the woman's excessive violence and cruelty. The word for "martyrs" (μαρτύρων, martyron) specifically refers to witnesses—those who have testified about Jesus, often at the cost of their lives. This highlights that the victims are not just any people, but those who stood firm in their faith. The phrase "wondered with great admiration" uses two related Greek words (ἐθαύμασα, ethaumasa and θαύμα, thauma), which together stress John's intense shock and amazement, not admiration in the sense of approval, but a reaction to something astonishing and disturbing.

Question 3

Why Revelation 17:6 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clarifies that the persecution of Christians is not just a minor detail but a central feature of the vision, showing the seriousness of the opposition faced by believers. It connects the woman's actions to the broader themes of Revelation, where forces opposed to God are often pictured as violently attacking the faithful. John's reaction reminds readers that even someone as spiritually mature as he is can be stunned by the depth of evil in the world, inviting readers to recognize the reality and gravity of such suffering.

Revelation 17:6 (KJV)