Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Revelation 16:19

ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη. Probably Jerusalem, as in chap. Revelation 11:8. It seems pointless to suppose Babylon to be mentioned twice over: while on the other view there is a climax. Jerusalem is (or is to be) converted—she is the City of God again, yet even she is sorely shaken (cf. 1 Peter 4:17): other cities are wholly overthrown: while the City of God’s Enemy is to receive something more than overthrow.

εἰς τρία μέρη. There is probably a reminiscence of Zechariah 14:4-5. If so, the earthquake probably isolates the western hill and completes the division of the eastern hill into two. It is just possible that there may be a reference to the three parties of John, Eleazar, and Simon, into which Jerusalem was divided at the time of its siege by Titus. We have seen (on Revelation 11:13) that Jerusalem is to be converted at the very last: but Revelation 11:7-8 prove that this will not happen till the war with Antichrist is at least begun: consequently, this verse may be concerned with the judgement on Jerusalem still infidel.

αἱ πόλεις τῶν ἐθνῶν. Distinguished from Jerusalem on the one hand and from Babylon on the other.

τὸ ποτήριον. See on Revelation 14:10.

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Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

Revelation 16:19

Old Testament

New Testament