For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

REVELATION 19:2KJV
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Revelation 19:2 (KJV)

What does Revelation 19:2 mean?

Revelation 19:2 declares that God’s judgments are true and just, because He has judged the “great whore” who corrupted the earth and has avenged the blood of His servants. The verse emphasizes that God’s actions against evil are fair and faithful to His character, especially in response to the harm done to His people.

In this part of Revelation, a great multitude in heaven is praising God after the downfall of “Babylon,” symbolized here as the “great whore.” The speaker is part of this heavenly chorus, celebrating God’s justice in punishing a corrupting power that led many astray and persecuted believers. The verse highlights both the seriousness of the wrongdoing and the certainty of God’s righteous response.

The Greek behind Revelation 19:2

  • “True” (ἀληθιναί, alēthinai) and “righteous” (δίκαιαι, dikaiai): These words stress that God’s judgments are both completely reliable and morally right, not arbitrary or unfair.
  • “Whore” (πόρνη, pornē): This term is used symbolically for a corrupting influence or power, not a literal person, pointing to a system or city (often understood as “Babylon”) that led others into moral and spiritual unfaithfulness.
  • “Corrupt” (ἐφθείρε, ephtheire): The Greek word carries the sense of ruining or spoiling, showing that the influence of this “great whore” was destructive, not just mistaken.
  • “Avenged” (ἐκδίκησεν, ekdikēsen): This word means to carry out justice or retribution, emphasizing that God’s response is not just punishment but a setting right of wrongs done to His servants.

Why Revelation 19:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God’s judgment is not random or cruel, but is based on truth and justice, which addresses common misunderstandings about divine judgment.
  • The verse connects the punishment of evil directly to the suffering of God’s servants, showing that God sees and responds to injustice against His people.
  • By using vivid symbolic language, the verse ties together themes from earlier in Revelation about the fall of Babylon and the vindication of those who remained faithful.

Where else these words appear

“avenged” Greek G1556 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
  • Luke 18:5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
  • 2 Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

“corrupt” Greek G5351 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
  • 2 Corinthians 7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
  • Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

“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:

“true” Greek G228 · used in 25 verses

  • Luke 16:11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
  • John 19:35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
  • Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;