Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour - On the nature of the scarlet color, see the notes on Revelation 17:3. The purple color - ́ porphura - was obtained from a species of shellfish found on the coasts of the Mediterranean, which yielded a reddish-purple dye, much prized by the ancients. Robes dyed in that color were commonly worn by persons of rank and wealth, Mark 15:17, Mark 15:20; Luke 16:19. The purple color contains more blue than the crimson, though the limits are not very accurately defined, and the words are sometimes interchanged. Thus the mock robe put on the Saviour is called in Mark 15:17, Mark 15:20, ́ porphuran - "purple," and in Matthew 27:28, ́ kokkinēn - "crimson." On the applicability of this to the papacy, see the notes on Revelation 17:3.
And decked with gold - After the manner of an harlot, with rich jewelry.
And precious stones - Sparkling diamonds, etc.
And pearls - Also a much-valued female ornament. Compare the notes on Matthew 7:6; Matthew 13:46.
Having a golden cup in her hand - As if to entice lovers. See the notes on Revelation 14:8.
Full of abominations - Of abominable things; of things suited to excite abhorrence and disgust; things unlawful and forbidden. The word, in the Scriptures, is commonly used to denote the impurities and abominations of idolatry. See the notes on Daniel 9:27. The meaning here is, that it seemed to be a cup filled with wine, but it was in fact a cup full of all abominable drugs, leading to all kinds of corruption. How much in accordance this is with the fascinations of the papacy, it is not necessary now to say, after the ample illustrations of the same thing already furnished in these notes.
And filthiness of her fornication - The image here is that of papal Rome, represented as an abandoned woman in gorgeous attire, alluring by her arts the nations of the earth, and seducing them into all kinds of pollution and abomination. It is a most remarkable fact that the papacy, as if designing to furnish a fulfillment of this prophecy, has chosen to represent itself almost precisely in this manner - as a female extending an alluring cup to passers by - as will be seen by the engraving on this page. Far as the design of striking this medal may have been from confirming this portion of the Book of Revelation, yet no one can fail to see that if this had been the design, no more happy illustration could have been adopted. Apostate churches, and guilty nations, often furnish the very proofs necessary to confirm the truth of the Scriptures.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing Revelation 17:4:
Isaiah 14:14
Matthew 7:6
2 Thessalonians 2:3
1 Peter 1:19
Revelation 12:3
Revelation 17:3
Revelation 17:5
Revelation 18:16
Revelation 18:16
Revelation 19:2
Revelation 21:21
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