And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
All Commentaries on Revelation 17:5 Go To Revelation 17
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
A mystery. That is, a secret, because what follows of the name and title of the great harlot is to be taken in a mystical sense.
Babylon. Either the city of the devil in general; or, if this place be to be understood of any particular city, pagan Rome, which then and for 300 years persecuted the Church, and was the principal seat both of empire and idolatry. (Challoner)