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Revelation 17:7

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 17:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
Revelation 17:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 17

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations, even the unclean things of her fornication,
5and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I wondered with a great wonder.
7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
8The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, [they] whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come.
9Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth:
10and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while.
← Revelation 17:6Revelation 17:8 →
← Full Chapter 17 Revelation Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the angel said unto me, etc.] The same as in (<661701>Revelation 17:1) wherefore didst thou marvel? which is not said by way of reproof, as questions of this kind sometimes are, (<440312>Acts 3:12) for John did not wonder at her with a sinful admiration, so as to have her in great veneration, and to do homage and worship to her, as the inhabitants of the world wondered after the beast, (<661303>Revelation 13:3 17:8) but his admiration was an amazement, or stupefaction of mind, joined with indignation at her; and this is said by the angel to lead on to what he had to declare unto him. I will tell thee the mystery of the woman; that is, what is mysteriously or mystically designed by her;…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? - He was doubtless struck with the appearance of John as he stood fixed in astonishment. The question asked him, “why” he wondered, was designed to show him that the cause of his surprise would be removed or lessened, for that he would proceed so to explain this that he might have a correct view of its design. I will tell thee the mystery of the woman - On the word “mystery,” see the notes on Revelation 17:5. The sense is, “I will explain what is meant by the symbol - the hidden meaning that is couched under it.” That is, he would so far explain it that a just view might be obtained of its signification. The explanation follows,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I will tell thee the mystery - The hidden meaning of this. Revelation 17:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“17:7 In response to John’s amazement, the angel prepares him to understand the mystery (17:8-14).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“I will: Rev 17:1-6, Rev 17:8 Revelation 17:8”
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Related study paths

Read Revelation 17 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification