John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven vials , etc.] It may be the first of them, since one of the four beasts designs the first of them, in ( Revelation 6:1,3) though Brightman thinks the fifth angel is meant, because he poured out his vial on the seat of the beast, who is by this angel described; but rather this is the seventh and last angel, concerned in the utter destruction of antichrist: and therefore proposes to John to show him the judgment of the great whore: and talked with me, saying unto me, come hither : he conversed with him in a friendly manner, (see Zechariah 1:9) and desires him to come nearer to him, and go along with him, adding, I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore ; that noted and famous one, known before to John by the names of Jezabel and Babylon, who taught and caused many to commit fornication, ( Revelation 2:20) ( Revelation 14:8) and is no other than Rome Papal; for that a city or state is meant is clear from ( Revelation 17:18) and it is usual for idolatrous or apostate cities to be called whores or harlots, (see Isaiah 1:21) ( Ezekiel 23:2-4 Na 3:4) and she is called a great one, because of the largeness of the Papal see; and because of the multitude of persons, the kings of the earth, and the inhabitants of it, with whom the Romish antichrist has committed spiritual fornication, or idolatry: her judgment signifies either her sin and wickedness; in which sense the word is used in ( Romans 5:16) and which is exposed, ( Revelation 17:5,6) namely, her idolatry and cruelty; or else her condemnation, and the execution of it, suggested in ( Revelation 17:8,16) and more largely described in the following chapter: that sitteth upon many waters ; which in ( Revelation 17:15) are interpreted of people, multitudes, nations, and tongues, subject to the jurisdiction of Rome; and so several antichristian states are in the preceding chapter signified by the sea, and by rivers and fountains of water: and this is said in reference to Babylon, an emblem of the Romish harlot, which was situated upon the river Euphrates, and is therefore said to dwell upon many waters, ( Jeremiah 51:13) her sitting here may be in allusion to the posture of harlots plying of men; or may denote her ease, rest, and grandeur, sitting as a queen; and is chiefly expressive of her power and dominion over the kings and nations of the earth, ( Revelation 17:18).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - Rome clearly appears to be meant in this chapter. Pagan Rome subdue and ruled with military power, not by art and flatteries. She left the nations in general to their ancient usages and worship. But it is wel known that by crafty and politic management, with all kinds of decei of unrighteousness, papal Rome has obtained and kept her rule ove kings and nations. Here were allurements of worldly honour and riches pomp and pride, suited to sensual and worldly minds. Prosperity, pomp and splendour, feed the pride and lusts of the human heart, but are n security against the Divine vengeance. The golden cup represents the allurements, and delusions, by which this mystical Babylon has obtaine and kept her influence, and seduced others to join her abominations She is named, from her infamous practices, a mother of harlots training them up to idolatry and all sorts of wickedness. She fille herself with the blood of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. Sh intoxicated herself with it; and it was so pleasant to her, that sh never was satisfied. We cannot but wonder at the oceans of Christia blood shed by men called Christians; yet when we consider thes prophecies, these awful deeds testify to the truth of the gospel. An let all beware of a splendid, gainful, or fashionable religion. Let u avoid the mysteries of iniquity, and study diligently the great myster of godliness, that we may learn humility and gratitude from the exampl of Christ. The more we seek to resemble him, the less we shall be liable to be deceived by antichrist.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ηλθεν 2064 5627 V-2AAI-3S εις 1520 A-NSM εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPM επτα 2033 A-NUI αγγελων 32 N-GPM των 3588 T-GPM εχοντων 2192 5723 V-PAP-GPM τας 3588 T-APF επτα 2033 A-NUI φιαλας 5357 N-APF και 2532 CONJ ελαλησεν 2980 5656 V-AAI-3S μετ 3326 PREP εμου 1700 P-1GS λεγων 3004 5723 V-PAP-NSM μοι 3427 P-1DS δευρο 1204 5773 V-XXM-2S δειξω 1166 5692 V-FAI-1S σοι 4671 P-2DS το 3588 T-ASN κριμα 2917 N-ASN της 3588 T-GSF πορνης 4204 N-GSF της 3588 T-GSF μεγαλης 3173 A-GSF της 3588 T-GSF καθημενης 2521 5740 V-PNP-GSF επι 1909 PREP των 3588 T-GPN υδατων 5204 N-GPN των 3588 T-GPN πολλων 4183 A-GPN
Vincent's NT Word Studies
1. Sitteth upon many waters. Said of Babylon, Jer. li. 13; the wealth of Babylon being caused both by the Euphrates and by a vast system of canals. The symbol is interpreted by some commentators as signifying Babylon, by others pagan Rome, Papal Rome, Jerusalem. Dante alludes to this passage in his address to the shade of Pope Nicholas III., in the Bolgia of the Simonists."The Evangelist you pastors had in mind, When she who sitteth upon many waters To fornicate with kings by him was seen. The same who with the seven heads was born, And power and strength from the ten horns received, So long as virtue to her spouse was pleasing." "Inferno," xix., 106-110.
