Revelation 17:4 — “The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.”
Explanation of the Verse
This verse describes the appearance of the woman John sees in his vision. She is dressed in rich, royal colors—purple and scarlet—and adorned with gold, jewels, and pearls. On the outside, she appears glamorous, powerful, and full of wealth. But what she holds reveals her true nature: a golden cup filled with “abominable things” and “the filth of her adulteries.” What looks beautiful on the outside is rotten and impure on the inside.
This woman represents a corrupt system of false religion, worldliness, and spiritual betrayal. The fact that she’s holding a golden cup—something that should be associated with honor and celebration—makes the image even more disturbing. What should be good has been twisted into something evil. Her outer beauty hides inner decay.
Historical Context
For Christians in the first century, this woman would have symbolized everything dangerous about the Roman Empire and its false religious practices. Rome was known for its wealth, luxury, and extravagance. Temples to false gods were richly decorated, and religious rituals often involved immorality. People were drawn in by the glamour and power, but those systems led them away from the one true God.
The picture here would have reminded early believers of how deceptive the world can be. Just because something looks impressive doesn’t mean it’s good. Rome’s beauty masked its spiritual corruption. The faithful were being shown what was really behind the curtain.
Theological Implications
This verse reminds us of the deep contrast between appearance and reality. God doesn’t look at the outward display—He looks at the heart. The woman’s fine clothing and jewelry point to the way evil can dress itself up to look righteous or appealing. Her golden cup represents a false kind of worship—a counterfeit religion that seems holy but is filled with sin.
This also teaches us that spiritual adultery—turning away from God to chase after false gods or values—is not a small thing to God. It’s described in terms of filth and abomination because it takes what is sacred and replaces it with something corrupt. God desires a pure and faithful relationship with His people, not a flashy imitation.
Literary Analysis
The imagery in this verse is carefully chosen to show contrast. The colors purple and scarlet were associated with royalty and power in the ancient world, often worn by kings and the rich. Gold and precious stones symbolize wealth and splendor. But the contents of the cup stand in complete opposition to the outward appearance.
There is a strong irony in this verse. The woman looks like a queen but carries filth. This contrast between outside and inside is meant to disturb the reader and open our eyes to how evil often presents itself in attractive packaging. This is a recurring theme in Revelation: what appears powerful and glorious in the world is actually empty and corrupt when seen through God’s eyes.
Cross-References
- Matthew 23:27-28 — Jesus says to the religious leaders, “You are like whitewashed tombs… on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
- Jeremiah 51:7 — “Babylon was a gold cup in the Lord’s hand… all the nations drank her wine.”
- Isaiah 3:16-24 — Describes the pride and vanity of the daughters of Zion, and how God will strip away their external beauty.
- 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 — “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light… his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.”
- Proverbs 5:3-4 — “The lips of the adulterous woman drip honey… but in the end she is bitter as gall.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
This verse is a strong reminder not to be fooled by surface appearances. Just because something is shiny, powerful, or widely accepted doesn’t mean it honors God. Christians today live in a world full of messages, images, and systems that promise satisfaction, success, or spirituality—but many of them are empty or even dangerous.
This verse calls us to be discerning. We need to ask hard questions: Does this reflect God’s truth? Is this leading me toward holiness or away from it? What looks appealing in the moment may be full of spiritual poison. We must stay grounded in Scripture and led by the Spirit so we don’t fall into deception.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is seen clearly in how He unmasks deception. He doesn’t leave His people in the dark. He shows us what’s really going on behind the scenes—not to scare us, but to protect us. Just like a loving parent would pull their child away from a harmful situation, God warns His people through this vision.
God doesn’t want His children drinking from cups that look golden but are filled with spiritual filth. His love calls us out of false worship and into a real, living relationship with Him. He wants our hearts, not just our habits. And He wants us to live in truth, not illusion.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus is the true King, and He offers a true cup. At the Last Supper, He gave His disciples a cup—not filled with filth, but with wine symbolizing His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:27-28). The woman in Revelation holds a false cup that brings death. Jesus offers a cup of life and redemption.
In Revelation 19, we see the contrast clearly. While this woman is judged and destroyed, Jesus prepares a wedding banquet for His bride—the Church. She is dressed not in scarlet and jewels but in fine white linen, representing righteousness (Revelation 19:8). Jesus doesn’t just expose the counterfeit—He replaces it with something real and eternal.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What are some ways the world today dresses up evil to make it look good?
- How can you tell the difference between true spirituality and spiritual deception?
- Are there areas in your life where you’ve been tempted by appearances rather than truth?
- What does this verse teach about the importance of looking at the heart rather than outward success?
- How does God’s warning in this verse show His care for His people?
- In what ways does Jesus offer a better “cup” than the one the woman holds?
- How can this passage help you stay faithful to God in a culture that values image over truth?