Revelation 18:21
New International Version
Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again.

New Living Translation
Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a huge millstone. He threw it into the ocean and shouted, “Just like this, the great city Babylon will be thrown down with violence and will never be found again.

English Standard Version
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more;

Berean Standard Bible
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.

Berean Literal Bible
And one mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: "Thus Babylon will be cast down with violence, the great city, and shall never be found any longer.

King James Bible
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

New King James Version
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.

New American Standard Bible
Then a strong angel picked up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will never be found again.

NASB 1995
Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.

NASB 1977
And a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then a strong angel picked up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer.

Amplified Bible
Then a single powerful angel picked up a boulder like a great millstone and flung it into the sea, saying, “With such violence will Babylon the great city be hurled down [by the sudden, spectacular judgment of God], and will never again be found.

Christian Standard Bible
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone like a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, In this way, Babylon the great city will be thrown down violently and never be found again.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone like a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying: In this way, Babylon the great city will be thrown down violently and never be found again.

American Standard Version
And a strong angel took up a stone as it were a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and shall be found no more at all.

Contemporary English Version
A powerful angel then picked up a huge stone and threw it into the sea. The angel said, "This is how the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to rise again.

English Revised Version
And a strong angel took up a stone as it were a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and shall be found no more at all.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then a powerful angel picked up a stone that was like a large millstone. He threw it into the sea and said, "The important city Babylon will be thrown down with the same force. It will never be found again.

Good News Translation
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "This is how the great city Babylon will be violently thrown down and will never be seen again.

International Standard Version
Then a powerful angel picked up a stone that was like a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "The great city Babylon will be thrown down violently— and will never be found again.

Majority Standard Bible
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: ?With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.

NET Bible
Then one powerful angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone, threw it into the sea, and said, "With this kind of sudden violent force Babylon the great city will be thrown down and it will never be found again!

New Heart English Bible
A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all.

Webster's Bible Translation
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be no more found.

Weymouth New Testament
Then a single angel of great strength took a stone which resembled a huge millstone, and hurled it into the sea, saying, "So shall Babylon, that great city, be violently hurled down and never again be found.

World English Bible
A mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, and will be found no more at all.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And one strong messenger took up a stone as a great millstone, and cast [it] into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence will Babylon be cast, the great city, and may not be found anymore at all;

Berean Literal Bible
And one mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: "Thus Babylon will be cast down with violence, the great city, and shall never be found any longer.

Young's Literal Translation
And one strong messenger did take up a stone as a great millstone, and did cast it to the sea, saying, 'Thus with violence shall Babylon be cast, the great city, and may not be found any more at all;

Smith's Literal Translation
And one strong angel lifted up a stone as a great millstone, and cast into the sea, saying, Thus with excitement shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and be found no more.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And a mighty angel took up a stone, as it were a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying: With such violence as this shall Babylon, that great city, be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And a certain strong Angel took up a stone, similar to a great millstone, and he cast it into the sea, saying: “With this force shall Babylon, that great city, be cast down. And she shall never be found again.

New American Bible
A mighty angel picked up a stone like a huge millstone and threw it into the sea and said: “With such force will Babylon the great city be thrown down, and will never be found again.

New Revised Standard Version
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “With such violence Babylon the great city will be thrown down, and will be found no more;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, So shall that great city Babylon be overthrown with violence, and shall be found no more at all.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And one of the Angels took a mighty stone, great as a millstone, and cast it into the sea and said, “In this way with violence, Babylon The Great City will be thrown down, and it will not exist again!”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and threw it into the sea, saying: Thus, with violence shall Babylon, that great city, be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Godbey New Testament
And one strong angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon the great city, be cast down, and can be found no more.

Haweis New Testament
And a mighty angel took up a stone as a great milestone, and cast it into the sea, saying, So with rapidity shall the great city Babylon be hurled into the deep, and never shall be found more.

Mace New Testament
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great milstone, and threw it into the sea, saying, "thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, never to be found any more.

Weymouth New Testament
Then a single angel of great strength took a stone which resembled a huge millstone, and hurled it into the sea, saying, "So shall Babylon, that great city, be violently hurled down and never again be found.

Worrell New Testament
And a strong angel took up a stone, as it were a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, "Thus with violence shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, and in nowise be found any more!

Worsley New Testament
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great milstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus shall the great city Babylon be thrown down with violence, and never be found more.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Doom of Babylon
20Rejoice over her, O heaven, O saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced for you His judgment against her. 21Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again. 22And the sound of harpists and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will never ring out in you again. Nor will any craftsmen of any trade be found in you again, nor the sound of a millstone be heard in you again.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 51:63-64
When you finish reading this scroll, tie a stone to it and cast it into the Euphrates. / Then you are to say, ‘In the same way Babylon will sink and never rise again, because of the disaster I will bring upon her. And her people will grow weary.’” Here end the words of Jeremiah.

Ezekiel 26:21
I will make you an object of horror, and you will be no more. You will be sought, but will never be found,’ declares the Lord GOD.”

Isaiah 13:19-22
And Babylon, the jewel of the kingdoms, the glory of the pride of the Chaldeans, will be overthrown by God like Sodom and Gomorrah. / She will never be inhabited or settled from generation to generation; no nomad will pitch his tent there, no shepherd will rest his flock there. / But desert creatures will lie down there, and howling creatures will fill her houses. Ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will leap about. ...

Isaiah 47:11-15
But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will befall you that you will be unable to ward off. Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly. / So take your stand with your spells and with your many sorceries, with which you have wearied yourself from your youth. Perhaps you will succeed; perhaps you will inspire terror! / You are wearied by your many counselors; let them come forward now and save you—your astrologers who observe the stars, who monthly predict your fate. ...

Jeremiah 50:39-40
So the desert creatures and hyenas will live there and ostriches will dwell there. It will never again be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation. / As God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah along with their neighbors,” declares the LORD, “no one will dwell there; no man will abide there.

Isaiah 14:22-23
“I will rise up against them,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will cut off from Babylon her name and her remnant, her offspring and her posterity,” declares the LORD. / “I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

Ezekiel 27:27
Your wealth, wares, and merchandise, your sailors, captains, and shipwrights, your merchants and all the warriors within you, with all the other people on board, will sink into the heart of the sea on the day of your downfall.

Daniel 2:34-35
As you watched, a stone was cut out, but not by human hands. It struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. / Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that had struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.

Isaiah 34:10-15
It will not be quenched—day or night. Its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever again pass through it. / The desert owl and screech owl will possess it, and the great owl and raven will dwell in it. The LORD will stretch out over Edom a measuring line of chaos and a plumb line of destruction. / No nobles will be left to proclaim a king, and all her princes will come to nothing. ...

Jeremiah 51:25-26
“Behold, I am against you, O destroying mountain, you who devastate the whole earth, declares the LORD. I will stretch out My hand against you; I will roll you over the cliffs and turn you into a charred mountain. / No one shall retrieve from you a cornerstone or a foundation stone, because you will become desolate forever,” declares the LORD.

Matthew 11:23
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.

Luke 10:15
And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!

Revelation 14:8
Then a second angel followed, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great, who has made all the nations drink the wine of the passion of her immorality.”

Revelation 16:19
The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. And God remembered Babylon the great and gave her the cup of the wine of the fury of His wrath.

Revelation 17:1-2
Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. / The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”


Treasury of Scripture

And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

a mighty.

Thus.

Exodus 15:5
The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone.

Nehemiah 9:11
And thou didst divide the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on the dry land; and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, as a stone into the mighty waters.

Jeremiah 51:63,64
And it shall be, when thou hast made an end of reading this book, that thou shalt bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates: …

and shall.

Revelation 18:22
And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

Revelation 12:8
And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Revelation 16:20
And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.

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Angel Babylon Cast City Found Great Huge Hurled Mighty Millstone Resembled Sea Single Stone Strength Strong Threw Thrown Violence Violently
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Angel Babylon Cast City Found Great Huge Hurled Mighty Millstone Resembled Sea Single Stone Strength Strong Threw Thrown Violence Violently
Revelation 18
1. Babylon is fallen.
4. People commanded to depart out of her.
9. The kings of the earth, with the merchants and mariners, lament over her.
20. The saints rejoice for the judgments of God upon her.














Then a mighty angel
The phrase "Then a mighty angel" introduces a powerful celestial being, emphasizing the authority and strength of God's messengers. In the Greek, "angel" (ἄγγελος, angelos) means "messenger," and "mighty" (ἰσχυρός, ischyros) denotes strength and power. This angel's might underscores the seriousness of the message and the divine authority behind the impending judgment. Historically, angels are seen as executors of God's will, and their involvement here signifies the divine orchestration of Babylon's downfall.

picked up a stone the size of a great millstone
The imagery of a "stone the size of a great millstone" is vivid and symbolic. Millstones were large, heavy stones used for grinding grain, and their size indicates something substantial and weighty. In the Greek, "millstone" (μύλος, mylos) conveys the idea of something burdensome and crushing. This symbolizes the irreversible and complete nature of Babylon's destruction. Archaeologically, millstones were essential in ancient economies, and their mention here highlights the total cessation of Babylon's influence and power.

and cast it into the sea
The act of casting the stone "into the sea" signifies a decisive and final action. The sea, in biblical literature, often represents chaos and destruction. The Greek verb "cast" (βάλλω, ballo) implies a forceful and deliberate action. This imagery echoes Jeremiah 51:63-64, where a stone is thrown into the Euphrates as a symbol of Babylon's fall. The sea swallowing the stone illustrates the complete and utter disappearance of Babylon, never to rise again.

saying 'With such violence
The phrase "With such violence" indicates the manner of Babylon's fall. The Greek word for "violence" (ὁρμή, horme) suggests a sudden and forceful action. This reflects the swift and overwhelming nature of God's judgment. The use of this term emphasizes that Babylon's destruction is not a gradual decline but an abrupt and catastrophic event, underscoring the power and decisiveness of divine retribution.

the great city of Babylon
"Babylon" is a symbolic representation of a city characterized by sin, idolatry, and opposition to God. Historically, Babylon was a literal city known for its grandeur and wickedness. In Revelation, it represents the epitome of human pride and rebellion against God. The "great city" (πόλις μεγάλη, polis megale) signifies its influence and prominence in the world, yet despite its greatness, it is not immune to God's judgment.

will be cast down
The phrase "will be cast down" conveys the certainty of Babylon's fall. The Greek verb "cast down" (καταβαίνω, katabaino) implies a descent from a high place, symbolizing the humbling of the proud and powerful. This reflects the biblical theme that those who exalt themselves will be humbled (Matthew 23:12). The assuredness of this action highlights the inevitability of divine justice.

never to be seen again
The finality of "never to be seen again" underscores the complete and permanent nature of Babylon's destruction. The Greek phrase (οὐ μὴ εὑρεθῇ ἔτι, ou me heurethei eti) is emphatic, indicating absolute certainty. This echoes the prophetic declarations of the Old Testament, where the downfall of wicked nations is depicted as total and irreversible. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of defying God and the ultimate triumph of His righteousness.

THE IRREMEDIABLE OVERTHROW OF BABYLON SYMBOLICALLY DECLARED.

(21) And a mighty angel . . .--The taking up of the stone and casting it into the waters is a symbol drawn from Jeremiah (Jeremiah 51). Jeremiah enjoined Seraiah to bind the prophetic roll to a great stone, and cast them together into the Euphrates. The meaning of the act was explained--"Thus shall Babylon sink and shall not rise," &c. (Jeremiah 51:63-64). The great dead mass, sinking helplessly by the law of its own weight, signified a fall past recovery. So Pharaoh and his host sank like lead in the mighty waters. It is the doom Christ foreshadowed as awaiting those who caused His children to fall (Matthew 18:6). The mighty angel, strong to lift the ponderous stone, throws it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence (or, with a bound) shall Babylon, the great city, be thrown, and shall not be found any more. At one bound, without a single resting-stage in its downward career, without chance or power of recovery, the vast world-city would fall. She who sat as a queen upon many waters, sinks as a stone in the mighty waters. She will not be found any more. The words "any more," or "no more," are repeated in these verses no less than six times, like a funeral knell over the departed greatness which is described.

Verse 21. - And a mighty angel took up a stone like a groat millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying; add one strong angel (cf. the "mighty voice" in ver. 2; also Revelation 10:1, and elsewhere). The adjective, of course, refers to the mightiness of the deed wrought (cf. Jeremiah 51:61-64, "Thou shall bind a stone to it, and cast it into the midst of Euphrates; and thou shall say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise," etc.). The sea may be typical of the nations of the earth (see Revelation 13:1). Thus with violence shall that groat city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all; Thus with a mighty fall shall Babylon, the great city, be cast down, etc. (Revised Version). Alford translates "with a rush;" ὅρμημα is peculiar to this passage. The complete nature of this extinction is indicated by the frequency of the words, "no more at all," in vers. 21-23.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Then
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

a
εἷς (heis)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

mighty
ἰσχυρὸς (ischyros)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2478: Strong (originally and generally of physical strength); mighty, powerful, vehement, sure. From ischus; forcible.

angel
ἄγγελος (angelos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 32: From aggello; a messenger; especially an 'angel'; by implication, a pastor.

picked up
ἦρεν (ēren)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 142: To raise, lift up, take away, remove.

a stone
λίθον (lithon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3037: A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.

the size of
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

a great
μέγαν (megan)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

millstone
μύλινον (mylinon)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3458: A millstone, mill. Probably ultimately from the base of molis; a 'mill', i.e., a grinder.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

cast [it]
ἔβαλεν (ebalen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

into
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

sea,
θάλασσαν (thalassan)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2281: Probably prolonged from hals; the sea.

saying:
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“With such
Οὕτως (Houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

violence
ὁρμήματι (hormēmati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3731: A rushing on, impulse, violence. From horme; an attack, i.e. precipitancy.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

great
μεγάλη (megalē)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3173: Large, great, in the widest sense.

city
πόλις (polis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4172: A city, the inhabitants of a city. Probably from the same as polemos, or perhaps from polus; a town.

of Babylon
Βαβυλὼν (Babylōn)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 897: Of Hebrew origin; Babylon, the capitol of Chaldaea (as a type of tyranny).

will be cast down,
βληθήσεται (blēthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 906: (a) I cast, throw, rush, (b) often, in the weaker sense: I place, put, drop. A primary verb; to throw.

never to be [seen]
εὑρεθῇ (heurethē)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.

again.
ἔτι (eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.


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NT Prophecy: Revelation 18:21 A mighty angel took up a stone (Rev. Re Apocalypse)
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