A.T. Robertson Commentary Revelation 17:3

"And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness: and I saw a woman sitting upon a scarlet-colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." — Revelation 17:3 (ASV)

He carried me away (απηνεγκεν με). Second aorist active indicative of αποφερω, to bear away, prophetic aorist. This verb is used of angels at death (Luke 16:22) or in an ecstasy (Revelation 21:10 and here).

In the Spirit (εν πνευματ). Probably his own spirit, though the Holy Spirit is possible (1:10; 4:2; 21:10), without Paul's uncertainty (2 Corinthians 12:2). Cf. Ezekiel 3:14f.; 8:3; 11:24.

Into a wilderness (εις ερημον). In Isa 21:1 there is το οραμα της ερημου (the vision of the deserted one, Babylon), and in Isa 14:23 Babylon is called ερημον. John may here picture this to be the fate of Rome or it may be that he himself, in the wilderness (desert) this side of Babylon, sees her fate. In 21:10 he sees the New Jerusalem from a high mountain.

Sitting (καθημενην). Present middle participle of καθημα as in verse 1. "To manage and guide the beast" (Vincent).

Upon a scarlet-coloured beast (επ θηριον κοκκινον). Accusative with επ here, though genitive in verse 1. Late adjective (from κοκκος, a parasite of the ilex coccifera), a crimson tint for splendour, in Re 17:3,4; 18:12,16; Matthew 27:28; Hebrews 9:19.

Full of names of blasphemy (γεμοντα ονοματα βλασφημιας). See 13:1 for "names of blasphemy" on the seven heads of the beast, but here they cover the whole body of the beast (the first beast of 13:1; 19:20). The harlot city (Rome) sits astride this beast with seven heads and ten horns (Roman world power). The beast is here personified with masculine participles instead of neuter, like θηριον (γεμοντα accusative singular, εχων nominative singular, though some MSS. read εχοντα), construction according to sense in both instances. The verb γεμω always has the genitive after it in the Apocalypse (4:6,8; 5:8; 15:7; 17:4; 21:9) save here and apparently once in 17:4.