Revelation 17:6

Authorized King James Version

And 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 great admiration.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
Καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
ἰδὼν
G1492
I saw
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#3
τὴν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#4
γυναῖκα
G1135
the woman
a woman; specially, a wife
#5
μεθύουσαν
G3184
drunken
to drink to intoxication, i.e., get drunk
#6
ἐκ
G1537
with
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#7
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#8
αἵματος
G129
the blood
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
#9
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
ἁγίων
G40
of the saints
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
#11
Καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#12
ἐκ
G1537
with
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
#13
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#14
αἵματος
G129
the blood
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
#15
τῶν
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#16
μαρτύρων
G3144
of the martyrs
a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"
#17
Ἰησοῦ
G2424
of Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#18
Καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#19
ἐθαύμασα
G2296
I wondered
to wonder; by implication, to admire
#20
ἰδὼν
G1492
I saw
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
#21
αὐτὴν
G846
her
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
#22
θαῦμα
G2295
admiration
wonder (properly concrete; but by implication, abstract)
#23
μέγα
G3173
with great
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The historical context of the Domitian persecution period (c. 95 CE) provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection