Revelation 18:18

18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like this great city?'

Revelation 18:18 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 18:18

And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning
(See Gill on Revelation 18:9)

saying, what city is like unto this great city?
as before for magnificence and grandeur, so now for sorrow, desolation, and ruin; nor was any city like it for power and authority, for pride and luxury, for idolatry and superstition, blasphemy and impenitence; the like the sailors say of Tyre, ( Ezekiel 27:30 ) from whence this and other expressions are borrowed in this lamentation.

Revelation 18:18 In-Context

16 and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!

17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.' Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance

18 and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, 'What is like this great city?'

19 They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, 'Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.'

20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!"