Revelation 17:1-6 describes the vision of the woman and beast; verse 7 then promises to explain this mystery, making it the immediate context.

Revelation 17:8 begins the angel's explanation of the beast's origin and fate, directly fulfilling the promise in verse 7.

Revelation 17:9 interprets the seven heads as seven mountains the woman sits on — directly answering the mystery introduced here.

Revelation 12:3 depicts a red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, sharing the same features as the beast in chapter 17, linking the beast to the dragon.

Revelation 13:1 introduces the beast from the sea with seven heads and ten horns, the same beast whose mystery the angel explains in Revelation 17:7.

Revelation 16:6 shows God's judgment on those who shed saints' blood — the same crime attributed to the woman and beast here.

Daniel 7:7 describes a terrifying beast with ten horns, prefiguring the beast with seven heads and ten horns in Revelation 17, establishing the imagery.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 speaks of the mystery of lawlessness already at work, paralleling the mystery of the beast that the angel explains.

1 Timothy 3:16 proclaims the mystery of godliness—Christ's incarnation—contrasting with the mystery of the beast, showing two opposing mysteries.