New Testament

Revelation 17:3

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, the apostle John describes a vision he received from an angel.

Author: John the apostle
Written: Around AD 95
Genre: Apocalyptic prophecy
Original Audience: The seven churches of Asia Minor

CBTClear Bible Translation

Then the angel carried me away in the spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names. The beast had seven heads and ten horns.

KJVKing James Version

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, the apostle John describes a vision he received from an angel. He is taken in the spirit to a desolate place, referred to as a wilderness. There, he sees a woman riding a scarlet beast. This beast is significant, as it is adorned with names that show contempt for God, indicating its evil nature. The beast has seven heads and ten horns, which symbolize power and authority. The imagery of the woman and the beast represents a corrupt alliance between false religion and political power, highlighting the dangers of idolatry and moral decay. The wilderness setting suggests a place of desolation and spiritual barrenness, contrasting with the life-giving presence of God. This vision serves as a warning about the seductive nature of false teachings and the consequences of turning away from true faith. Explore related corruption.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Revelation 17:3 to your life

This verse encourages believers to be vigilant against false teachings and corrupt influences in their lives. It reminds us to seek true faith and discernment, avoiding the allure of worldly power and idolatry that can lead us away from God.

Curated for this public verse page. Revelation Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Revelation 17:3 mean?

Revelation 17:3 describes a vision where John sees a woman riding a scarlet beast, symbolizing a corrupt alliance between false religion and political power. The beast, with its seven heads and ten horns, represents authority and evil, while the wilderness setting indicates spiritual desolation.

What is the significance of the scarlet beast in Revelation 17:3?

The scarlet beast in Revelation 17:3 symbolizes a powerful and corrupt system that opposes God. Its blasphemous names reflect its contempt for divine authority, and the seven heads and ten horns signify its extensive power and influence.

What does the woman represent in Revelation 17:3?

In Revelation 17:3, the woman represents false religion or corrupt practices that seduce people away from true faith. Her alliance with the scarlet beast illustrates the dangers of idolatry and moral decay in society.

Why is the setting a wilderness in Revelation 17:3?

The wilderness setting in Revelation 17:3 symbolizes desolation and spiritual barrenness. It contrasts with the life-giving presence of God, highlighting the emptiness of false teachings and corrupt influences.

Book Summary

The Book of Revelation

Revelation 1: The Revelation of Jesus Christ

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gives Him to show His servants things which must shortly come to pass, sent and signified by His angel to John, who bears record of the word of God. A blessing is pronounced upon those who read and hear the words of this prophecy and keep the things written therein, for the time is at hand. John writes to the seven churches in Asia, sending grace and peace from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, who washed us from our sins in His own blood. He declares Himself Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending. John, in the isle of Patmos for the word of God, is in the Spirit on the Lord's day and hears behind him a great voice as a trumpet. Turning, he sees seven golden candlesticks and one like the Son of man among them, clothed to the foot, His head and hairs white as wool, His eyes as a flame of fire, His feet like fine brass, His voice as the sound of many waters, seven stars in His right hand, and a sharp twoedged sword going out of His mouth. John falls at His feet as dead, and the Lord lays His right hand upon him, saying, Fear not, I am the first and the last, He that liveth and was dead and is alive for evermore. He reveals that the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are the seven churches.

Revelation 2: Letters to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, and Thyatira The Lord dictates letters to four of the seven churches. To Ephesus He commends their labor and patience and their rejection of evil men, but charges that they have left their first love, calling them to repent and do the first works. To Smyrna, suffering tribulation and poverty yet rich, He warns of coming imprisonment and bids them be faithful unto death to receive a crown of life, promising the overcomer shall not be hurt by the second death. To Pergamos, dwelling where Satan's seat is, He commends their holding fast His name but rebukes those holding the doctrine of Balaam and of the Nicolaitans, promising the overcomer hidden manna and a white stone with a new name. To Thyatira He commends their charity and works yet rebukes their suffering the woman Jezebel to teach and seduce His servants, declaring He will cast her into a bed of tribulation and that He searcheth the reins and hearts; the overcomer shall have power over the nations and the morning star. Revelation 3: Letters to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea The Lord continues to the remaining three churches. To Sardis He declares they have a name that they live but are dead, urging them to be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, yet noting a few who have not defiled their garments who shall walk with Him in white. To Philadelphia, who has kept His word and not denied His name, He sets before them an open door which no man can shut, promising to keep them from the hour of temptation that shall come upon all the world, and that the overcomer shall be a pillar in the temple of God. To Laodicea He rebukes their being lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, so that He will spue them out of His mouth; they think themselves rich and increased with goods, but are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, and He counsels them to buy of Him gold tried in the fire. He declares that He stands at the door and knocks, and if any man hear His voice and open the door, He will come in to him; the overcomer shall sit with Him in His throne.

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