And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

REVELATION 18:21KJV
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Revelation 18:21 (KJV)

What does Revelation 18:21 mean?

Revelation 18:21 describes a powerful angel throwing a huge stone, like a millstone, into the sea to show how completely and suddenly the great city of Babylon will be destroyed and disappear forever. The verse uses this dramatic image to make clear that Babylon’s downfall will be total and final, leaving no trace behind.

In this scene, John, the writer of Revelation, sees a mighty angel acting out a message for everyone to witness. The angel’s action is a symbol, not a literal event, meant to communicate the certainty and violence of Babylon’s end. Babylon here stands for a corrupt, powerful city or system that opposes God, and the message is that its destruction will be swift and irreversible.

The Greek behind Revelation 18:21

  • ὡς μύλος (hōs mylos, “like a millstone”): The comparison to a millstone, a massive stone used for grinding grain, emphasizes the weight and size of what is being thrown. This makes the image of Babylon’s fall especially forceful and memorable.
  • βίᾳ (bia, “violence”): This word carries the sense of forceful, overwhelming action. The angel’s act is not gentle or gradual; it is sudden and destructive, highlighting the unstoppable nature of Babylon’s downfall.
  • οὐ μὴ εὑρεθῇ ἔτι (ou mē heurethē eti, “shall be found no more at all”): This phrase stresses the finality of Babylon’s fate. The Greek wording is strong and absolute, making it clear that Babylon’s destruction is permanent.

Why Revelation 18:21 matters

  • The verse clears up any idea that Babylon’s fall might be partial or temporary; the image and language both underline that the destruction is total and irreversible.
  • Revelation 18:21 connects to the wider chapter, which details the reasons for Babylon’s judgment and the reactions of those who benefited from her. This verse serves as the dramatic climax, showing the certainty of what God has declared.
  • The use of a symbolic act (the angel throwing the stone) helps readers understand that the message is about the certainty and completeness of judgment, not just a prediction of a city’s ruin but a warning about the fate of all who oppose God’s ways.

Where else these words appear

“millstone” Greek G3458 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
  • Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
  • Revelation 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

“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 16:19 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.

“mighty” Greek G2478 · used in 25 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:
  • Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
  • Hebrews 11:34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

“stone” Greek G3037 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.