Revelation 17:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It seems astonishing to me how the devil, the enemy and avenger, will help the ten horns subject to him to rise up and arm themselves against Christ, our God, Who loves virtue. It is astonishing that he will help them desolate the populous city, deceived by him and fallen away from God's commandments, and then gorge himself on its blood like a beast.

The harlot is a luxurious life made up of robberies and pleasures. Therefore he said that they would hate the harlot, because pleasure-loving and proud men, greedy and arrogant, not only persecute the saints but also abide in hatred themselves.

They hate in another way too, those in whom what is written is fulfilled: "He who loves violence hates his own soul." And further: "They will make her desolate and naked."

For these men, through the wrath of God and the just judgment by which they are abandoned by Him, lay waste the world while they are subject to it and use it unjustly.

"And they will eat her flesh," because, according to the Apostle, they bite and devour one another (cf. Gal 5:15).

It is said: "The waters on which the harlot sits are peoples and multitudes," obviously those over whom the city exercises dominion. How, then, will Rome be made desolate by the kings? For this, as we have understood, is described in the book of Revelation.

Perhaps they will contend for it in battle as for a queen ruling over a strong and populous land that pays tribute. Therefore, in the war for Rome, it must happen that, lying out as the prize of victory, it will suffer from all.

It will be subjected to burning and desolation. It is said: "For God has put into their hearts to do their will." By God's permission this will be accomplished by those who oppose it and desire to seize it.

This harlot is the very one whose flesh and blood were given over to be torn apart. As was said above, she prospered through the power of the earthly kingdom. Since she consists of those very kings over whom she is said to rule according to her custom, the text divided the same reality into parts, as though dividing a genus into species. Thus the words of God may be fulfilled in the woman, in the city, in the kings, upon the kings, and upon the woman, when He redeems by His own mercy and judges the proud by His justice.

Below, when John beholds the bride of the Lamb by command from above, he sees the holy city descending from heaven. He describes it thus: "the kings of the earth will bring their glory and honor into it" (Rev 21:24). For there are two cities in the world: one rising from the abyss, the other descending from heaven. Therefore the impiety that John had already described as a harlot, stripped naked and with her garments burned, he now compares to the ruins of a devastated city.

Unrestrained and luxurious life bore the fruits that became the cause of Babylon's fall.

"And they will burn her with fire." During Vespasian's campaign toward Rome, the troops of Vitellius caused an uprising in Rome. They killed Sabinus, Vespasian's brother, burned the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus, and long behaved lawlessly. Under Vespasian the city also was completely burned.