So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and loathsome, malignant sores broke out on those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.
Parallel translations
- WEB The first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth, and it became a harmful and evil sore on the people who had the mark of the beast, and who worshiped his image.
- KJV And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
- NKJV So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
- NASB So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth; and a harmful and painful sore afflicted the people who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his image.
- NLT So the first angel left the Temple and poured out his bowl on the earth, and horrible, malignant sores broke out on everyone who had the mark of the beast and who worshiped his statue.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The first bowl brings painful sores on those who bear the beast's mark and worship its image. Judgment falls specifically on committed idolaters.
Overview
Like the boils of the sixth Egyptian plague, the first bowl afflicts precisely those marked by the beast, distinguishing them from God's sealed people. The targeted judgment shows the justice of God in answering willful idolatry. It also reminds readers that the beast's mark, promising security, in fact brings ruin.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Rev 8:7Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass.
- Rev 16:11and curse the God of heaven for their pains and sores; yet they did not repent of their deeds.
- Rev 13:15–18The second beast was permitted to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship it to be killed.
- Luke 16:20–22And a beggar named Lazarus lay at his gate, covered with sores
- Deut 28:27The LORD will afflict you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors and scabs and itch from which you cannot be cured.
- Exod 9:8–11Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from the furnace; in the sight of Pharaoh, Moses is to toss it into the air.
- Isa 3:17the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will make their foreheads bare.”
- 2 Chr 21:18After all this, the LORD afflicted Jehoram with an incurable disease of the bowels.
- 2 Chr 21:15And day after day you yourself will suffer from a severe illness, a disease of your bowels, until it causes your bowels to come out.’”
- Job 2:7–8So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.
- 1 Sam 5:6Now the hand of the LORD was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity, ravaging them and afflicting them with tumors.
- Deut 7:15And the LORD will remove from you all sickness. He will not lay upon you any of the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will inflict them on all who hate you.
- Acts 12:23Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
- 1 Sam 5:9But after they had moved the ark to Gath, the LORD’s hand was also against that city, throwing it into great confusion and afflicting the men of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors.
- Isa 1:5–6Why do you want more beatings? Why do you keep rebelling? Your head has a massive wound, and your whole heart is afflicted.
- Ps 78:26He stirred the east wind from the heavens and drove the south wind by His might.
- Isa 3:24Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, shame.
- Rev 14:16So the One seated on the cloud swung His sickle over the earth, and the earth was harvested.
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Christ at the center
Revelation ends the story with the slain-yet-standing Lamb who is worthy, the Lion of Judah, the Alpha and Omega, the returning King who makes all things new and dwells with his people forever.
How Revelation 16:2 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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