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Revelation 19:18

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 19:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great.
Revelation 19:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
16And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KINGS OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
17And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come [and] be gathered together unto the great supper of God;
18that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great.
19And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.
20And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone:
21and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, [even the sword] which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
← Revelation 19:17Revelation 19:19 →
← Full Chapter 19 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
“That ye may eat the flesh of kings, etc.] Of the earth, and of the whole world, who will fall in the battle at Armageddon; (see <661614>Revelation 16:14 19:19) and design either those antichristian kings and states, which have drunk of the wine of Rome's fornication, and will bewail the downfall of Babylon, (<661803>Revelation 18:3,9) or those Pagan kings which will be drawn in by the pope and Turk, to aid and assist in this war, or both, when, upon the defeat of them, the Christian princes will seize upon, possess, and enjoy their kingdoms and dominions, which is meant by eating their flesh; (see Gill on “<661716>Revelation 17:16”). And the flesh of captains; of their generals, and officers…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Contrast with this "supper," Rev 19:17-18, the marriage supper of the Lamb, Rev 19:9. captains--Greek, "captains of thousands," that is, chief captains. The "kings" are "the ten" who "give their power unto the beast." free and bond--specified in Rev 13:16, as "receiving the mark of the beast." The repetition of flesh (in the Greek it is plural: masses of flesh) five times in this verse, marks the gross carnality of the followers of the beast. Again, the giving of their flesh to the fowls to eat, is a righteous retribution for their not suffering the dead bodies of Christ's witnesses to be put in graves.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“That ye may eat the flesh of kings - Of the kings under the control of the beast and the false prophet, Revelation 16:14; Revelation 17:12-14. And the flesh of captains - Of those subordinate to kings in command. The Greek word is χιλιάρχων chiliarchōn - “chiliarchs” - denoting captains of a thousand, or, as we should say, commanders of a regiment. The word “colonel” would better convey the idea with us; as he is the commander of a regiment, and a regiment is usually composed of about one thousand people. And the flesh of mighty men - The word here means “strong,” and the reference is to the robust soldiery - rank and file in the army. And the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“ye: Deu 28:26; Sa1 17:44, Sa1 17:46; Psa 110:5, Psa 110:6; Jer 7:33, Jer 16:4, Jer 19:7, Jer 34:20; Eze 29:5, Eze 39:18-20; Mat 24:28; Luk 17:37 of all: Rev 6:15, Rev 13:16 Revelation 19:19”
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Related study paths

Read Revelation 19 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification