Changes

Bible scholars have various theories concerning what the whore represents. In ancient times, [[Tertullian]] suggested that Babylon was a stand-in for pagan Rome.<ref name=ISBE>"[http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/B/babylon-in-the-new-testament.html Babylon in the New Testament]," ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia''. See also "Revelation— Note on 17: 9– 11," ''ESV Study Bible''. "Rome, which then had “dominion over the kings of the earth” (v. 18), rests on seven mountains (or seven hills)."</ref> Like Babylon of Revelation, Rome ruled over the kings of the earth,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:18|ESV}}.</ref> sat on seven mountains,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:9|ESV}}.</ref> was the center of the world's merchandise,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|18:3|ESV}} and {{bibleverse|Revelation|18:11-13|ESV}}.</ref> corrupted nations,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:2|ESV}}, {{bibleverse|Revelation|18:3|ESV}}, and {{bibleverse|Revelation|19:2|ESV}}.</ref> and was a persecutor of saints.<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:6|ESV}}.</ref> If Babylon does represent Rome, it follows that the beast represents Emperor Nero and that the whore represents the Jews, who John accuses of collaborating with the Roman authorities against Christians.<ref>"[http://www.catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/protestantism/WhoreOfBabyl.html Who is the Whore of Babylon?]," ''Catholic Apologetics''.</ref>

Bible scholars have various theories concerning what the whore represents. In ancient times, [[Tertullian]] suggested that Babylon was a stand-in for pagan Rome.<ref name=ISBE>"[http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/B/babylon-in-the-new-testament.html Babylon in the New Testament]," ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia''. See also "Revelation— Note on 17: 9– 11," ''ESV Study Bible''. "Rome, which then had “dominion over the kings of the earth” (v. 18), rests on seven mountains (or seven hills)."</ref> Like Babylon of Revelation, Rome ruled over the kings of the earth,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:18|ESV}}.</ref> sat on seven mountains,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:9|ESV}}.</ref> was the center of the world's merchandise,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|18:3|ESV}} and {{bibleverse|Revelation|18:11-13|ESV}}.</ref> corrupted nations,<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:2|ESV}}, {{bibleverse|Revelation|18:3|ESV}}, and {{bibleverse|Revelation|19:2|ESV}}.</ref> and was a persecutor of saints.<ref>{{bibleverse|Revelation|17:6|ESV}}.</ref> If Babylon does represent Rome, it follows that the beast represents Emperor Nero and that the whore represents the Jews, who John accuses of collaborating with the Roman authorities against Christians.<ref>"[http://www.catholicapologetics.info/apologetics/protestantism/WhoreOfBabyl.html Who is the Whore of Babylon?]," ''Catholic Apologetics''.</ref>

Historically, Protestant commentators emphasized parallels between the Whore and the papacy. The ''Geneva Bible'' (1540) connects the papacy to the Whore by portraying it as a continuation of imperial Rome: "A scarlet color, that is, with a red and purple garment: and surely it was not without cause that the Romish clergy were so much delighted with this color."<ref>''Geneva Bible'' (1560), Commentary for Revelation 17:3.</ref> There is also, "That harlot, the spiritual Babylon, which is Rome."<ref>''Geneva Bible'' (1560), Commentary for Revelation 17:4.</ref> In his 1706 Bible commentary, Henry Matthew identified those who followed the whore with those that "have been bewitched and enslaved by the papacy."<ref>Matthews, Henry, ''[https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/17.html Complete Commentary on Revelation 17]''.</ref>  This view has waned in recent years due to increased cooperation between Protestants and Catholics (though the cooperation is mainly on social issues such as [[abortion]]); however, it is still the prevalent view within [[fundamentalism]] especially within [[Independent Baptist]] churches.

Historically, Protestant commentators emphasized parallels between the Whore and the papacy. The ''Geneva Bible'' (1540) connects the papacy to the Whore by portraying it as a continuation of imperial Rome: "A scarlet color, that is, with a red and purple garment: and surely it was not without cause that the Romish clergy were so much delighted with this color."<ref>''Geneva Bible'' (1560), Commentary for Revelation 17:3.</ref> There is also, "That harlot, the spiritual Babylon, which is Rome."<ref>''Geneva Bible'' (1560), Commentary for Revelation 17:4.</ref> In his 1706 Bible commentary, Matthew Henry identified those who followed the whore with those that "have been bewitched and enslaved by the papacy."<ref>Matthew, Henry, ''[https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/17.html Complete Commentary on Revelation 17]''.</ref>  This view has waned in recent years due to increased cooperation between Protestants and Catholics (though the cooperation is mainly on social issues such as [[abortion]]); however, it is still the prevalent view within [[fundamentalism]] especially within [[Independent Baptist]] churches.

== References ==

== References ==

{{reflist|1}}

{{reflist|1}}