The ancient city of Pompeii, located in modern-day Italy, is not directly mentioned in the Bible. However, there are some passages in the Bible that may relate to the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD.
The Destruction of Pompeii
Pompeii was an ancient Roman city near modern Naples in the Campania region of Italy. It was destroyed, along with the nearby town of Herculaneum, when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The violent eruption buried the entire city under many feet of volcanic ash and pumice, preserving many buildings and artifacts until excavations began in the 18th century.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred on August 24, 79 AD. It lasted for about 25 hours, releasing massive amounts of ash and gases into the atmosphere. Many residents of Pompeii and Herculaneum were killed by falling debris from the eruption. Those who survived the initial blast were overcome by flows of very hot gas and ash called pyroclastic surges. The intense heat killed people instantaneously. Within just a few hours, the entire city was buried under at least 13-20 feet of ash and pumice.
For centuries, Pompeii remained largely forgotten and undiscovered beneath layers of volcanic material. Some looting of artifacts occurred in the early centuries AD, but major archaeological excavations did not begin until 1748. Since then, excavations have revealed an amazing, well-preserved view of life in an ancient Roman city. Whole buildings, artifacts, frescoes, and even human remains have been uncovered by archaeologists. Pompeii provides an unparalleled glimpse into ordinary life at the peak of the Roman Empire.
Biblical Passages Potentially Relating to Pompeii
The biblical books of the New Testament were written between approximately 50-100 AD, spanning the time when Pompeii was still a thriving city and continuing after its destruction. The eruption of Vesuvius and the obliteration of Pompeii would have been significant events that New Testament authors potentially could have mentioned, but the city goes unnamed in the Bible.
There are, however, some biblical passages which may indirectly refer to the volcano and destruction of the region:
1. Jesus’ Prophecy of Coming Judgments
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. (Luke 21:11)
In his Olivet Discourse, Jesus predicted great disasters that would come upon the earth prior to his return. The eruption of Vesuvius could have been one of the “great earthquakes” or “terrors” that he foretold.
2. The Seven Trumpets of Revelation
The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. (Revelation 8:7)
The catastrophe described at the sounding of the first trumpet bears similarities to a volcanic eruption like that of Vesuvius. A “third of the earth” being burned up may refer to the decimation of the Pompeii region.
3. 666 – The Mark and Number of the Beast
This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. (Revelation 13:18)
Some historians note the eruption occurred in 79 AD. If the numbers composing this year (7 and 9) are multiplied together, the result is 63. Add this to the original 79 AD, and the sum total is 142. Some have speculated there could be symbolism linking the destruction of Pompeii with the 666 mark of the Antichrist.
4. The Seven Bowls of God’s Wrath
The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, and harmful and painful sores came upon the people who bore the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. (Revelation 16:2)
The seven bowl judgments parallel the seven trumpet judgments. Just as hail and fire were hurled down in the first trumpet judgment, the first bowl judgment entails God’s wrath being poured out straight onto the earth. The volcanic eruption of Vesuvius could fit this description.
While intriguing, these potential indirect references are speculative. Most biblical scholars do not draw any definitive link between the eruption of Vesuvius and Pompeii and specific end-times prophecies in the Bible. The main reason is simply the absence of the city’s name. If Pompeii’s destruction was a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, it seems reasonable that the location would have been specifically identified.
Why Doesn’t the Bible Mention Pompeii Specifically?
Considering the extent of Pompeii’s devastation, it is certainly curious that the city goes unnamed in the Bible. Here are some possible reasons:
- The eruption may have seemed like a localized disaster at the time, not meriting inclusion as a prophesized global cataclysm.
- The New Testament authors were possibly unaware of the specifics of the event due to communication challenges in the ancient world.
- The symbolism of the numbers 7 and 9 multiplying to 63 and adding up to 142 may be more reflective of historical interpretations rather than authorial intent.
- Pompeii may simply have been unimportant to the purposes and message of the New Testament authors.
- Association with the city’s pagan culture may have dissuaded New Testament authors from specific mention.
While tantalizing clues exist, the absence of direct reference to Pompeii ultimately leaves some ambiguity. The biblical text does not conclusively indicate whether or not the eruption of Mount Vesuvius was understood by the New Testament authors as a prophesied event.
Verses About Other Ancient Cities
Pompeii may not be mentioned, but other ancient cities are referenced throughout the Bible. In some cases, the prophecies and descriptions correspond closely to historical events that befell those cities. Examples include:
Babylon
And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the splendor and pomp of the Chaldeans, will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them. (Isaiah 13:19)
The ancient Mesopotamian city of Babylon rose to prominence under King Nebuchadnezzar but was eventually conquered by the Persians and declined in importance over subsequent centuries.
Nineveh
An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh. The Lord is a jealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and wrathful… (Nahum 1:1-2)
Nineveh was once the mighty capital of the Assyrian empire. The prophet Nahum foretold the city’s utter destruction, which occurred at the hands of the Babylonians in 612 BC.
Tyre
Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves. (Ezekiel 26:3)
The ancient Phoenician port city of Tyre was besieged and destroyed by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, fulfilling Ezekiel’s prophecy.
Unlike Pompeii, the Bible makes explicitly clear references to the fates of cities like Babylon, Nineveh, and Tyre. Their rises and falls are held up as moral lessons regarding sin and judgment.
Could Vesuvius Erupt Again?
Mount Vesuvius remains an active volcano to this day. It last erupted in 1944, and small earthquakes periodically occur, indicating the possibility of another eruption in the future. If Vesuvius were to erupt violently again, the impact on modern civilization would be immense, given the approximately 3 million people who now live in proximity to the volcano.
Some sections of the Bible warn about the disasters that will precede Jesus Christ’s second coming. For example:
And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves…people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. (Luke 21:25-26)
A massive volcanic eruption on the scale of Pompeii would certainly induce global “distress” and “fear.” However, the Bible refrains from specifying exactly which natural disasters will occur. Followers of Christ are instructed to maintain constant vigilance and readiness for His return, regardless of circumstances.
The destruction of ancient Pompeii serves as a vivid reminder of humankind’s fragility in the face of natural forces beyond human control. Whether another calamity on the same scale transpires at Vesuvius or elsewhere, the biblical assertion is that no one knows the hour or day except the Father in heaven (Matthew 24:26).
