Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Revelation 17:2

"with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and they that dwell in the earth were made drunken with the wine of her fornication." — Revelation 17:2 (ASV)

Earth’s kings and inhabitants “committed adultery” with the prostitute. This language goes back to references to the harlot cities of the past (e.g., Jeremiah 51:7) and means that the peoples of the world have become drunk with abundance, power, pride, violence, and especially false worship. “Kings of the earth” may describe simply the rulers in contrast to the rest of the people.