A.T. Robertson Commentary


A.T. Robertson Commentary
"And another, a second angel, followed, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, that hath made all the nations to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." — Revelation 14:8 (ASV)
Another, a second angel (αλλος δευτερος αγγελος). This second angel "followed" (ηκολουθησεν, first aorist active indicative of ακολουθεω) and interpreted in part the first one.
Fallen, fallen (επεσεν, επεσεν). Prophetic aorist active indicative of πιπτω, repeated as a solemn dirge announcing the certainty of the fall. The English participle "fallen, fallen" is more musical and rhythmical than the literal rendering "fell, fell." The language is an echo of Isa 21:9, though B in the LXX has πεπτωκεν, πεπτωκεν (perfect).
Babylon the great (Βαβυλων η μαγαλη). The adjective μεγαλη occurs with Βαβυλων each time in the Apocalypse (14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2,10,21) as a reminder of Nebuchadrezzar. There is no doubt that Rome is meant by Babylon, as is probably seen already in 1 Peter 5:13. As a prisoner in Patmos John can speak his mind by this symbolism.
Hath made to drink (πεποτικεν). Perfect active indicative of ποτιζω, old causative verb (from ποτος drinking, 1 Peter 4:3), as in Mt 25:35. The remarkable phrase that follows seems based on Jer 51:8 (Jeremiah 25:15). It is a combination also of Re 14:10 (the wine of God's wrath, also in 16:19; 19:15) and 17:2. There is no doubt of the dissoluteness of the old Babylon of Jeremiah's day as of the Rome of John's time. Rome is pictured as the great courtesan who intoxicates and beguiles the nations to fornication (17:2,4,6), but the cup of God's wrath for her and her paramours is full (14:10; 16:19; 18:2).