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The kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived wantonly with her, will weep and wail over her, when they look at the smoke of her burning,

Verse Takeaways

1

A Worldly Grief

Commentators unanimously highlight that the kings' weeping is not godly sorrow or repentance. Instead, it is a selfish lament for their own loss of power, luxury, and wealth which they gained through their alliance with the corrupt system of 'Babylon.' As Matthew Henry notes, they mourn the loss of outward comforts, not the anger of God, showing the emptiness of a worldly spirit.

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Revelation

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Commentaries

6

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Revelation 18:9

18th Century

Theologian

And the kings of the earth. This verse commences the description of the lamentation over the fall of the mystical Babylon.

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On Revelation 18:9

Shall weep (κλαυσουσιν). Future active of κλαιω, middle κλαυσοντα in Attic, as in Joh 16:20.

And wail over her

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Revelation 18:9

19th Century

Bishop

And the kings of the earth...—Read, And there will weep and mourn over her the kings of the earth, who committed fornication a…

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Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On Revelation 18:9

Even quick reading of Eze 27 shows that John has in mind Ezekiel’s lamentation over the fall of ancient Tyre. Those who entered into fornication wi…

John Gill

John Gill

On Revelation 18:9

17th Century

Pastor

And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication ,
&c.] Idolatry, (Revelation 17:2) (18:3)

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Revelation 18:9–19

17th Century

Minister

The mourners had shared in Babylon's sensual pleasures and gained from her wealth and trade. The kings of the earth, whom she flattered into idolat…

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