Revelation 18:23 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

A blessed contrast is Revelation 22:5, "They need no candle (Babylon shall no more have even the light of candle);

... for the Lord God giveth them light."

Candle - `lamp.'

Bridegroom ... bride ... no more ... in thee. Contrast the heavenly city, with Bridegroom, Bride and marriage supper (Isaiah 62:4-5; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:9).

Thy merchants were. So 'Aleph (') B C; but A omits the Greek article before "merchants:" 'the great men of, etc., were thy merchants.'

Sorceries - `sorcery.'

Revelation 18:23

23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.