Revelation 19:18
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 on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.
Original Language Analysis
σάρκας
the flesh
G4561
σάρκας
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
3 of 28
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
βασιλέων
of kings
G935
βασιλέων
of kings
Strong's:
G935
Word #:
4 of 28
a sovereign (abstractly, relatively, or figuratively)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σάρκας
the flesh
G4561
σάρκας
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
6 of 28
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
χιλιάρχων
of captains
G5506
χιλιάρχων
of captains
Strong's:
G5506
Word #:
7 of 28
the commander of a thousand soldiers ("chiliarch"; i.e., colonel
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σάρκας
the flesh
G4561
σάρκας
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
9 of 28
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σάρκας
the flesh
G4561
σάρκας
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
12 of 28
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 28
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καθημένων
of them that sit
G2521
καθημένων
of them that sit
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
16 of 28
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
ἐπ'
on
G1909
ἐπ'
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
17 of 28
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 28
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
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σάρκας
the flesh
G4561
σάρκας
the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
20 of 28
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
ἐλευθέρων
men both free
G1658
ἐλευθέρων
men both free
Strong's:
G1658
Word #:
22 of 28
unrestrained (to go at pleasure), i.e., (as a citizen) not a slave (whether freeborn or manumitted), or (genitive case) exempt (from obligation or lia
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
23 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
δούλων
bond
G1401
δούλων
bond
Strong's:
G1401
Word #:
24 of 28
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 28
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μικρῶν
small
G3398
μικρῶν
small
Strong's:
G3398
Word #:
26 of 28
small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)
Cross References
Revelation 6:15And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;Jeremiah 34:20I will even give them into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life: and their dead bodies shall be for meat unto the fowls of the heaven, and to the beasts of the earth.Jeremiah 16:4They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.Jeremiah 7:33And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.Jeremiah 19:7And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcases will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.Deuteronomy 28:26And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.1 Samuel 17:44And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.1 Samuel 17:46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.Revelation 13:16And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:Matthew 24:28For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Historical Context
Ancient battlefields attracted scavenging birds, a familiar sight associated with judgment (Deuteronomy 28:26, Ezekiel 39:17-20). This imagery recalled prophetic warnings of coming judgment. The vision's graphic nature communicated the certainty and totality of defeat for God's enemies. First-century believers facing persecution needed assurance that oppressors would face comprehensive judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the contrast between the Lamb's marriage supper and this gruesome 'great supper' clarify the stakes of responding to Christ?
- What warning does the inclusion of all classes and ranks in this judgment give about the universality of accountability before God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The angel's call to fowls for the 'supper of the great God' presents gruesome battlefield imagery—vultures consuming fallen warriors' flesh. This contrasts the marriage supper of the Lamb (v. 9), showing two eternal destinies. The comprehensive list—kings, captains, mighty men, horses, riders, free, bond, small, great—emphasizes that judgment respects no earthly status. All who oppose Christ face the same end. Reformed theology affirms that human distinctions (social class, power, wealth) become irrelevant before divine judgment. Christ's enemies, however prestigious temporally, become carrion for birds.