The Meaning of Revelation 11:18 Explained

Revelation 11:18

KJV: And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.

YLT: and the nations were angry, and Thine anger did come, and the time of the dead, to be judged, and to give the reward to Thy servants, to the prophets, and to the saints, and to those fearing Thy name, to the small and to the great, and to destroy those who are destroying the land.'

Darby: And the nations have been full of wrath, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead to be judged, and to give the recompense to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to those who fear thy name, small and great; and to destroy those that destroy the earth.

ASV: And the nations were wroth, and thy wrath came, and the time of the dead to be judged, and the time to give their reward to thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and to them that fear thy name, the small and the great; and to destroy them that destroy the earth.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  the nations  were angry,  and  thy  wrath  is come,  and  the time  of the dead,  that they should be judged,  and  that thou shouldest give  reward  unto thy  servants  the prophets,  and  to the saints,  and  them that fear  thy  name,  small  and  great;  and  shouldest destroy  them which destroy  the earth. 

What does Revelation 11:18 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The elders continue to anticipate the beginning of Messiah"s rule on earth by foreseeing the raging response of unbelieving Gentiles (cf. Revelation 16:14; Revelation 16:16; Revelation 16:19; Revelation 20:8-9; Psalm 2:1; Psalm 2:5; Psalm 2:12) and the outpouring of God"s holy wrath (cf. Matthew 3:7; Luke 3:7; Romans 2:5; Romans 2:8; Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9). They also see the judgment of the dead and the rewarding of believers. They not only give thanks that Christ reigns supremely ( Revelation 11:17) but that He judges righteously and rewards graciously ( Revelation 11:18).
"Although rewards are all of grace ( Romans 4:4), they vary according to what each has done ( 1 Corinthians 3:8)." [1]
"The elders in their song make no attempt to separate the different phases of judgment as they are separated in the closing chapters of Revelation. They simply sing of that future judgment as though it were one event, much on the order of other Scriptures that do not distinguish future judgments from each other (cf. Mark 4:29; John 5:25; John 5:28-29; Acts 17:31; Acts 24:21)." [2]
The elders distinguished two groups of believers: the Old Testament and New Testament prophets, who communicated divine Revelation , and the saints, namely, other believers. [3] They further described these saints as even (ascensive use of "and," Gr. kai) those who fear God"s name, both small and great (i.e, all kinds; cf. Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5; Revelation 19:18; Revelation 20:12). The elders also anticipated the destruction of the wicked who have been responsible for the divine judgments that have destroyed the earth. John would soon learn of the destruction of some of these destroyers, namely, Babylon, the beast, the false prophet, and Satan.

Context Summary

Revelation 11:14-19 - "he Shall Reign For Ever And Ever"
The kingdom is even now Christ's, but it is hidden, even as He is. One day it will be manifested. For a long time David was the anointed king of Israel, but Saul sat on the throne until the predestined hour came when the tribes of Israel made David their chosen monarch. This surely is a type of that which will one day become apparent to the whole creation. The kingdom of the world will wholly and permanently become Christ's. Suffering and sorrow will then flee away, as birds of ill omen at dawn. War will cease to the end of the world. The glad populations of mankind will walk in the light of life, and the long night and travail of nature will be ended. It may be that each great era of human history ends with a scene of judgment; or that these series of visions are concurrent, viewing the earth-order from different standpoints.
What comfort is derived from this vision of the Ark of God's Covenant, which abides in the inner sanctuary! He is true to us. His word cannot alter, neither will He recede from His pledge to overthrow our enemies, to undo the devastation they have caused, and to realize His original purpose in man's creation. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 11

1  The two witnesses prophesy
6  They have power to shut heaven so that it rain not
7  The beast shall fight against them, and kill them
8  They lie unburied;
11  and after three and a half days rise again
14  The second woe is past
15  The seventh trumpet sounds

Greek Commentary for Revelation 11:18

Were wroth [ωργιστησαν]
Ingressive first aorist active indicative of οργιζομαι — orgizomai “became angry.” The culmination of wrath against God (Revelation 16:13.; Revelation 20:8.). Cf. Psalm 2:1, Psalm 2:5, Psalm 2:12; Psalm 99:1; Acts 4:25. John sees the hostility of the world against Christ. [source]
Thy wrath came [ηλτεν η οργη σου]
Second aorist active indicative of ερχομαι — erchomai the prophetic aorist again. The Dies Irae is conceived as already come.The time of the dead to be judged (ο καιρος των νεκρων κριτηναι — ho kairos tōn nekrōn krithēnai). For this use of καιρος — kairos see Mark 11:13; Luke 21:24. By “the dead” John apparently means both good and bad (John 5:25; Acts 24:21), coincident with the resurrection and judgment (Mark 4:29; Revelation 14:15.; Revelation 20:1-15). The infinitive κριτηναι — krithēnai is the first aorist passive of κρινω — krinō epexegetic use with the preceding clause, as is true also of δουναι — dounai (second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi), to give.Their reward This will come in the end of the day (Matthew 20:8), from God (Matthew 6:1), at the Lord‘s return (Revelation 22:12), according to each one‘s work (1 Corinthians 3:8).The small and the great (τους μικρους και τους μεγαλους — tous mikrous kai tous megalous). The accusative here is an anacoluthon and fails to agree in case with the preceding datives after δουναι τον μιστον — dounai ton misthon though some MSS. have the dative τοις μικροις — tois mikrois etc. John is fond of this phrase “the small and the great” (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:18; Revelation 20:12).To destroy First aorist active infinitive of διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō carrying on the construction with καιρος — kairos Note τους διαπτειροντας — tous diaphtheirontas “those destroying” the earth (corrupting the earth). There is a double sense in διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō that justifies this play on the word. See Revelation 19:2. In 1 Timothy 6:5 we have those “corrupted in mind” God will destroy the destroyers (1 Corinthians 3:16.). [source]
The time of the dead to be judged [ο καιρος των νεκρων κριτηναι]
For this use of καιρος — kairos see Mark 11:13; Luke 21:24. By “the dead” John apparently means both good and bad (John 5:25; Acts 24:21), coincident with the resurrection and judgment (Mark 4:29; Revelation 14:15.; Revelation 20:1-15). The infinitive κριτηναι — krithēnai is the first aorist passive of κρινω — krinō epexegetic use with the preceding clause, as is true also of δουναι — dounai (second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi), to give. [source]
Their reward [τον μιστον]
This will come in the end of the day (Matthew 20:8), from God (Matthew 6:1), at the Lord‘s return (Revelation 22:12), according to each one‘s work (1 Corinthians 3:8).The small and the great (τους μικρους και τους μεγαλους — tous mikrous kai tous megalous). The accusative here is an anacoluthon and fails to agree in case with the preceding datives after δουναι τον μιστον — dounai ton misthon though some MSS. have the dative τοις μικροις — tois mikrois etc. John is fond of this phrase “the small and the great” (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:18; Revelation 20:12).To destroy First aorist active infinitive of διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō carrying on the construction with καιρος — kairos Note τους διαπτειροντας — tous diaphtheirontas “those destroying” the earth (corrupting the earth). There is a double sense in διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō that justifies this play on the word. See Revelation 19:2. In 1 Timothy 6:5 we have those “corrupted in mind” God will destroy the destroyers (1 Corinthians 3:16.). [source]
The small and the great [τους μικρους και τους μεγαλους]
The accusative here is an anacoluthon and fails to agree in case with the preceding datives after δουναι τον μιστον — dounai ton misthon though some MSS. have the dative τοις μικροις — tois mikrois etc. John is fond of this phrase “the small and the great” (Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:18; Revelation 20:12). [source]
To destroy [διαπτειραι]
First aorist active infinitive of διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō carrying on the construction with καιρος — kairos Note τους διαπτειροντας — tous diaphtheirontas “those destroying” the earth (corrupting the earth). There is a double sense in διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō that justifies this play on the word. See Revelation 19:2. In 1 Timothy 6:5 we have those “corrupted in mind” God will destroy the destroyers (1 Corinthians 3:16.). [source]
Were angry [ὀργίσθησαν]
See on wrath, John 3:36. Compare Psalm 2:1. [source]
The time [ὁ καιρὸς]
See on Matthew 12:1. [source]
Reward [μισθὸν]
See on 2 Peter 2:13. [source]
Destroy [διαφθεῖραι]
Also to corrupt. [source]
Which destroy [τοὺς διαφθείροντας]
Or, the destroyers. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 11:18

Acts 26:22 The help that is from God [επικουριας της απο του τεου]
Old word from επικουρεω — epikoureō to aid, and that from επικουρος — epikouros ally, assister. Only here in N.T. God is Paul‘s ally. All of the plots of the Jews against Paul had failed so far. I stand (εστηκα — hestēka). Second perfect of ιστημι — histēmi to place, intransitive to stand. Picturesque word (Page) of Paul‘s stability and fidelity (cf. Philemon 4:1; Ephesians 6:13). Both to small and great Dative singular (rather than instrumental, taking μαρτυρουμενος — marturoumenos middle, not passive) and use of τε και — te kai links the two adjectives together in an inclusive way. These two adjectives in the singular (representative singular rather than plural) can apply to age (young and old) or to rank (Revelation 11:18) as is specially suitable here with Festus and Agrippa present. In Acts 8:10 (Hebrews 8:11) the phrase explains παντες — pantes (all). Saying nothing but what (ουδεν εκτος λεγων ων — ouden ektos legōn hōn). “Saying nothing outside of those things which.” The ablative relative ων — hōn is attracted into the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτων — toutōn and so ablative after εκτος — ektos (adverbial preposition common in lxx, the papyri. In N.T. here and 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 2 Corinthians 12:2.). Cf. Luke 16:29 about Moses and the prophets. [source]
Acts 26:22 Both to small and great [μικρωι τε και μεγαλωι]
Dative singular (rather than instrumental, taking μαρτυρουμενος — marturoumenos middle, not passive) and use of τε και — te kai links the two adjectives together in an inclusive way. These two adjectives in the singular (representative singular rather than plural) can apply to age (young and old) or to rank (Revelation 11:18) as is specially suitable here with Festus and Agrippa present. In Acts 8:10 (Hebrews 8:11) the phrase explains παντες — pantes (all). Saying nothing but what (ουδεν εκτος λεγων ων — ouden ektos legōn hōn). “Saying nothing outside of those things which.” The ablative relative ων — hōn is attracted into the case of the unexpressed antecedent τουτων — toutōn and so ablative after εκτος — ektos (adverbial preposition common in lxx, the papyri. In N.T. here and 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 15:27; 2 Corinthians 12:2.). Cf. Luke 16:29 about Moses and the prophets. [source]
1 John 2:9 His brother [τὸν ἀδελφόν]
His fellow-Christian. The singular, brother, is characteristic of this Epistle. See 1 John 2:10, 1 John 2:11; 1 John 3:10, 1 John 3:15, 1 John 3:17; 1 John 4:20, 1 John 4:21; 1 John 5:16. Christians are called in the New Testament, Christians (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16), mainly by those outside of the Christian circle. Disciples, applied to all followers of Christ (John 2:11; John 6:61) and strictly to the twelve (John 13:5sqq.). In Acts 19:1, to those who had received only John's baptism. Not found in John's Epistles nor in Revelation. Brethren. The first title given to the body of believers after the Ascension (Acts 1:15, where the true reading is ἀδελφῶν brethrenfor μαθητῶν disciples). See Acts 9:30; Acts 10:23; Acts 11:29; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 John 3:14; 3 John 1:5, 3 John 1:10; John 21:23. Peter has ἡ ἀδελφότης thebrotherhood (1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 5:9). The believers. Under three forms: The believers ( οἱ πιστοί ; Acts 10:45; 1 Timothy 4:12); they that believe ( οἱ πιστεύοντες ; 1 Peter 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:7; Ephesians 1:19); they that believed ( οἱ πιστεύσαντες ; Acts 2:44; Acts 4:32; Hebrews 4:3). The saints ( οἱ ἅγιοι ); characteristic of Paul and Revelation. Four times in the Acts (Acts 9:13, Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41; Acts 26:10), and once in Jude (Judges 1:3). Also Hebrews 6:10; Hebrews 13:24. In Paul, 1 Corinthians 6:1; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 1:15, etc. In Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3, Revelation 8:4; Revelation 11:18, etc.|Until now ( ἕως ἄρτι )|Though the light has been increasing, and though he may claim that he has been in the light from the first. The phrase occurs in John 2:10; John 5:17; John 16:24; and is used by Paul, 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Corinthians 15:6.| [source]
2 John 1:8 Reward [μισθὸν]
See on 2 Peter 2:13, and compare Matthew 5:12; John 4:36; 1 Corinthians 3:8; Revelation 11:18; Revelation 22:12. [source]
Revelation 16:6 They poured out [εχεχεαν]
Second aorist active indicative of εκχεω — ekcheō with αν — ̇an instead of ον — ̇on hast thou given them to drink αιμα — Haima (blood) is the emphatic word, measure for measure for shedding the blood of saints and prophets (Revelation 11:18; Revelation 18:24). Perfect active indicative of διδωμι — didōmi and so a permanent and just punishment. Πειν — Pein is the abbreviated second aorist active infinitive of πινω — pinō for πιειν — piein It is the epexegetical infinitive after δεδωκας — dedōkas There was no more drinking-water, but only this coagulated blood.They are worthy (αχιοι εισιν — axioi eisin). “Terrible antithesis” (Swete) to Revelation 3:4. The asyndeton adds to it (Alford). [source]
Revelation 16:19 Fell [επεσαν]
Second aorist active indicative of πιπτω — piptō First aorist (prophetic) passive indicative of μιμνησκω — mimnēskō Babylon (Rome) had not been overlooked. God was simply biding his time with Rome.To give unto her Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi epexegetic use as in Revelation 11:18; Revelation 16:9.The cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath (το ποτηριον του οινου του τυμου της οργης αυτου — to potērion tou oinou tou thumou tēs orgēs autou). “The cup of the wine of the wrath of his anger,” using both τυμος — thumos (boiling rage) and οργη — orgē (settled anger). See both in Jeremiah 30:24. [source]
Revelation 16:19 To give unto her [δουναι αυτηι]
Second aorist active infinitive of διδωμι — didōmi epexegetic use as in Revelation 11:18; Revelation 16:9.The cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath (το ποτηριον του οινου του τυμου της οργης αυτου — to potērion tou oinou tou thumou tēs orgēs autou). “The cup of the wine of the wrath of his anger,” using both τυμος — thumos (boiling rage) and οργη — orgē (settled anger). See both in Jeremiah 30:24. [source]
Revelation 19:2 For [οτι]
Second use of οτι — hoti explaining the first.He hath judged (εκρινεν — ekrinen). First aorist (prophetic and climacteric, effective) active indicative of κρινω — krinō (ητις — hētis). The very one which.Did corrupt This is the terrible fact. First aorist active indicative of πτειρω — phtheirō Cf. Revelation 11:18; Revelation 14:8; Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18:3.And he hath avenged (και εχεδικησεν — kai exedikēsen). God has exacted vengeance for the blood of his servants from (εκ — ek) her. Prophetic aorist again of εκδικεω — ekdikeō with accusative and εκ — ek with ablative as in Revelation 6:10. [source]
Revelation 19:2 Did corrupt [επτειρεν]
This is the terrible fact. First aorist active indicative of πτειρω — phtheirō Cf. Revelation 11:18; Revelation 14:8; Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18:3.And he hath avenged (και εχεδικησεν — kai exedikēsen). God has exacted vengeance for the blood of his servants from (εκ — ek) her. Prophetic aorist again of εκδικεω — ekdikeō with accusative and εκ — ek with ablative as in Revelation 6:10. [source]
Revelation 20:12 The dead, the great and the small [τους νεκρους τους μεγαλους και τους μικρους]
The general resurrection of Revelation 20:13 is pictured by anticipation as already over. No living are mentioned after the battle of Revelation 20:7-10, though some will be living when Jesus comes to judge the quick and the dead (2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:13.). All classes and conditions (Revelation 11:18; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:18) John saw “standing before the throne” (εστωτας ενωπιον του τρονου — hestōtas enōpion tou thronou). [source]
Revelation 22:12 My reward is with me [ο μιστος μου μετ εμου]
It is Christ speaking again and he repeats his promise of coming quickly as in Revelation 22:7. He speaks now as the Rewarder (ο μισταποδοτης — ho misthapodotēs) of Hebrews 11:6. Cf. Revelation 11:18; Isaiah 40:10; Isaiah 62:11. [source]
Revelation 8:9 Was destroyed [διεπταρησαν]
Second aorist passive indicative of διαπτειρω — diaphtheirō old compound, to corrupt, to consume, to destroy (perfective use of δια — dia), also Revelation 11:18. The plural πλοιον — ploion just before the verb makes the idea plural. [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 11:18 mean?

And the nations were enraged came the wrath of You the time for the dead to be judged to give the reward to the servants the prophets saints to those fearing the name the small great to destroy those who are destroying the earth
καὶ τὰ ἔθνη ὠργίσθησαν ἦλθεν ὀργή σου καιρὸς τῶν νεκρῶν κριθῆναι δοῦναι τὸν μισθὸν τοῖς δούλοις τοῖς προφήταις ἁγίοις τοῖς φοβουμένοις τὸ ὄνομά τοὺς μικροὺς μεγάλους διαφθεῖραι τοὺς διαφθείροντας τὴν γῆν

ἔθνη  nations 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔθνος  
Sense: a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together.
ὠργίσθησαν  were  enraged 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Passive, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ὀργίζω  
Sense: to provoke, to arouse to anger.
ἦλθεν  came 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἔρχομαι  
Sense: to come.
ὀργή  wrath 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: ὀργή  
Sense: anger, the natural disposition, temper, character.
σου  of  You 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
καιρὸς  time 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: καιρός  
Sense: due measure.
τῶν  for  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
νεκρῶν  dead 
Parse: Adjective, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: νεκρός  
Sense: properly.
κριθῆναι  to  be  judged 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Passive
Root: κρίνω  
Sense: to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose.
δοῦναι  to  give 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
μισθὸν  reward 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: μισθός  
Sense: dues paid for work.
τοῖς  to  the 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δούλοις  servants 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: δοῦλοσ1 
Sense: a slave, bondman, man of servile condition.
προφήταις  prophets 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: προφήτης  
Sense: in Greek writings, an interpreter of oracles or of other hidden things.
ἁγίοις  saints 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἅγιος  
Sense: most holy thing, a saint.
τοῖς  to  those 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
φοβουμένοις  fearing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: φοβέομαι 
Sense: to put to flight by terrifying (to scare away).
ὄνομά  name 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ὄνομα  
Sense: name: univ.
μικροὺς  small 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: μικρός  
Sense: small, little.
μεγάλους  great 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: μέγας  
Sense: great.
διαφθεῖραι  to  destroy 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: διαφθείρω  
Sense: to change for the worse, to corrupt.
τοὺς  those  who 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
διαφθείροντας  are  destroying 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: διαφθείρω  
Sense: to change for the worse, to corrupt.
γῆν  earth 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: γῆ  
Sense: arable land.