King James Version
Revelation 11
19 verses with commentary
The Two Witnesses
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein .
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **And there was **. . .—Translate, *And there was given to me a reed like a rod* (we must omit the words “and the angel stood”), *saying.* It is not said by whom the reed was given, nor are we told who speaks the command. The whole transaction is impersonal. The reed, like a measuring rod, is given him, and at the same time the command is given to arise and measure the Temple, and the altar, a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11. God's love to us is the grand motive for our love to one another (1Jo 3:16).
**if--**as we all admit as a fact.
**we ... also--**as being born of God, and therefore resembling our Father who is love. In proportion as we appreciate God's love to us, we love Him and also the brethren, the children (by regeneration) of the same God, the representatives of the unseen God.
But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. leave out: Gr. cast out
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meanin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **But the court . . .**—Translate, *And the court which is outside the Temple cast out, and measure not it; because it was given to the nations* (Gentiles): *and they shall tread down the holy city forty and two months.* The outer court—meaning, perhaps, all that lies outside the Temple itself—is to be omitted. A strong word is used; the words “leave out” are far too weak. He is not only not t...
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12. God, whom no man hath seen at any time, hath appointed His children as the visible recipients of our outward kindness which flows from love to Himself, "whom not having seen, we love," compare Notes, 1Jo 4:11, 1Jo 4:19, 20. Thus 1Jo 4:12 explains why, instead (in 1Jo 4:11) of saying, "If God so loved us, we ought also to love God," he said, "We ought also to love one another."
**If we love o...
Read full commentary →And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. I will give: or, I will give unto my two witnesses that they may prophesy
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<strong>And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3-14) **The Two **WITNESSES.—It is the opinion of one able and pre-eminently painstaking commentator that “no solution has ever been given of this portion of the prophecy.” I quote this that none may be disappointed when no satisfactory solution is given here; further light in the knowledge of the Bible, and the light of history, and, above all, the aid of the Holy Spirit, may show what the real ...
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**13. Hereby--**"Herein." The token vouchsafed to us of God's dwelling (Greek, "abide") in us, though we see Him not, is this, that He hath given us "of His Spirit" (1Jo 3:24). Where the Spirit of God is, there God is. One Spirit dwells in the Church: each believer receives a measure "of" that Spirit in the proportion God thinks fit. Love is His first-fruit (Ga 5:22). In Jesus alone the Spirit dwe...
Read full commentary →These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
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<strong>These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic of Jewish prophet...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **These are . . .**—Translate, *These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks which stand before the Lord of the earth. This is the verse which refers us to the vision of Zechariah for the basis of our present vision.* There, as here, we have the two olive trees, which are explained to be “the two anointed ones which stand before the Lord of the whole earth.” The explanation is suppos...
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**14. And we--**primarily, we apostles, Christ's appointed eye-witnesses to testify to the facts concerning Him. The internal evidence of the indwelling Spirit (1Jo 4:13) is corroborated by the external evidence of the eye-witnesses to the fact of the Father having "sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world."
**seen--**Greek, "contemplated," "attentively beheld" (see on 1Jo 1:1).
**sent--**G...
Read full commentary →And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
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KJV Study Commentary
The witnesses' power to consume enemies with fire from their mouths parallels Elijah's ministry (2 Kings 1:10-12) and Jeremiah's commission (Jeremiah 5:14). This represents the Word's power to judge and condemn—the gospel's two-edged nature (Hebrews 4:12). Reformed theology emphasizes that gospel proclamation both saves the elect and hardens the reprobate. The witnesses' supernatural protection du...
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(5) **And if any man . . .**—Better, *And if any one wills to injure them, fire goeth forth out of their mouths, and devoureth their enemies: and if any one wills to injure them, thus must he be slain. These have power to shut the heaven that the rain may not moisten* (the earth) *during the days of their prophesying; and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to smite the ea...
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**15. shall confess--**once for all: so the Greek aorist means.
**that Jesus is the Son of God--**and therefore "the Saviour of the world" (1Jo 4:14).
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
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KJV Study Commentary
The witnesses' powers parallel Moses (turning water to blood, Exodus 7:19) and Elijah (shutting heaven from rain, 1 Kings 17:1), identifying them as prophet-figures representing the church's testimony. Power to 'smite the earth with all plagues' demonstrates their authority in declaring God's judgments. Reformed theology sees the church as prophetic witness, proclaiming both salvation and judgment...
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**16. And we--**John and his readers (not as 1Jo 4:14, the apostles only).
**known and believed--**True faith, according to John, is a faith of knowledge and experience: true knowledge is a knowledge of faith [Luecke].
**to us--**Greek, "in our case" (see on 1Jo 4:9).
**dwelleth--**Greek, "abideth." Compare with this verse, 1Jo 4:7.
And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. Th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **And when . . .**—Better, *And when they shall have finished their testimony, the wild beast that goeth up out of the abyss shall make war with them*, *and conquer them, and kill them.* Only when their work is done has the wild beast power over them. To every one there are the symbolical twelve hours in which his life’s work must be achieved; to every one there is the time secured when he may...
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17-18. (Compare 1Jo 3:19-21.)
**our love--**rather as the Greek, "LOVE (in the abstract, the principle of love [Alford]) is made perfect (in its relations) with us." Love dwelling in us advances to its consummation "with us" that is, as it is concerned with us: so Greek. Lu 1:58, "showed mercy upon (literally, 'with') her": 2Jo 2, the truth "shall be with us for ever."
**boldness--**"confidenc...
Read full commentary →And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
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<strong>And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid ap...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8-10) **And their dead bodies . . .**—Better, *And their corpse *(is)* upon the street of the great city, which is called spiritually Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord also was crucified. And some from among the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations look upon their corpse three days and a half, and do not suffer their corpses to be put into a tomb. And they that dwell upon the earth rejoice ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17-18. (Compare 1Jo 3:19-21.)
**our love--**rather as the Greek, "LOVE (in the abstract, the principle of love [Alford]) is made perfect (in its relations) with us." Love dwelling in us advances to its consummation "with us" that is, as it is concerned with us: so Greek. Lu 1:58, "showed mercy upon (literally, 'with') her": 2Jo 2, the truth "shall be with us for ever."
**boldness--**"confidenc...
Read full commentary →And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
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KJV Study Commentary
The phrase 'peoples and kindreds and tongues and nations' emphasizes the universal scope of witnessing their deaths. The refusal to allow burial adds insult and dishonor, treating the witnesses as criminals unworthy of basic human dignity. This public spectacle demonstrates the world's hatred of God's testimony. The three-and-a-half-day period parallels Christ's time in the tomb, foreshadowing res...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**19. him--**omitted in the oldest manuscripts. Translate, We (emphatical: WE on our part) love (in general: love alike Him, and the brethren, and our fellow men), because He (emphatical: answering to "we"; because it was He who) first loved us in sending His Son (Greek aorist of a definite act at a point of time). He was the first to love us: this thought ought to create in us love casting out fe...
Read full commentary →And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.
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KJV Study Commentary
The earth-dwellers' rejoicing and gift-giving parodies proper celebration, revealing their depravity. The testimony that 'tormented them' shows truth's convicting power—the gospel either draws or drives away. Their joy at silenced witnesses demonstrates hardened hearts celebrating suppression of conscience. Reformed theology affirms total depravity—unregenerate hearts love darkness and hate light ...
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**20. loveth not ... brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen--**It is easier for us, influenced as we are here by sense, to direct love towards one within the range of our senses than towards One unseen, appreciable only by faith. "Nature is prior to grace; and we by nature love things seen, before we love things unseen" [Estius]. The eyes are our leaders in love. "See...
Read full commentary →And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **And after three days . . .**—Better, *And after the three days and a half* (not simply “three days and a half,”) *a Spirit of life out of (from) God entered into* (or, *in; i.e.,* so as to be in) *them, and they stood upon their feet; and a great fear fell upon those who beheld them.* The vision of the dry bones will be remembered; in part, the very wording of it is employed here—*e.g.,* “t...
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21. Besides the argument (1Jo 4:20) from the common feeling of men, he here adds a stronger one from God's express commandment (Mt 22:39). He who loves, will do what the object of his love wishes.
**he who loveth God--**he who wishes to be regarded by God as loving Him.
And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **And they heard . . .**—Translate, *And they heard* (or, *I heard;* the MS. authority is divided, though the balance inclines to the first) *a great voice out of the heaven saying to them. Come up hither. And they went up into the heaven in the cloud, and their enemies beheld them.* The resurrection of the witnesses is followed by their ascension. It is the token that in this too they shall ...
Read full commentary →And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. of men: Gr. names of men
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KJV Study Commentary
The great earthquake killing seven thousand represents partial judgment leading survivors to fear and give glory to God. Unlike previous judgments where hearts remained hardened (9:20-21), this provokes proper response. The number seven thousand may echo 1 Kings 19:18's remnant who hadn't bowed to Baal, suggesting God preserves a faithful minority. 'Gave glory to God' could indicate genuine repent...
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(13) **And the same hour . . .**—Better, *And in that hour there was* (took place) *a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and, there were slain in the earthquake names of men seven thousand: and the rest became affrighted, and gave glory to the God of the heaven.* The hour of their triumph is the hour of a retributive warning on the city where they were slain convulsion, with th...
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CHAPTER 5
1Jo 5:1-21. Who Are the Brethren Especially to Be Loved (1Jo 4:21); Obedience, the Test of Love, Easy through Faith, which Overcomes the World. Last Portion of the Epistle. The Spirit's Witness to the Believer's Spiritual Life. Truths Repeated at the Close: Farewell Warning.
1. Reason why our "brother" (1Jo 4:21) is entitled to such love, namely, because he is "born (begotten) of God...
Read full commentary →The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
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The transition from second woe to third (seventh trumpet) builds dramatic tension. The rapid succession ('behold, the third woe cometh quickly') emphasizes escalating urgency as history approaches consummation. Reformed eschatology sees these judgments as progressive revelation of God's victory over evil. The woes represent increasing severity, yet also decreasing duration before final judgment. T...
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(14) **The second woe . . .—**Translate, *The second woe is past*. (Omit the word “and,” which weakens the proclamation.) The eagle flying in mid-heaven had announced the three woe trumpets. A voice now reminds us that two of these had passed, just as at the close of the fifth trumpet a voice proclaimed that the first woe was past. We must remember, too, that the angel which descended from heaven ...
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**2. By--**Greek, "In." As our love to the brethren is the sign and test of our love to God, so (John here says) our love to God (tested by our "keeping his commandments") is, conversely, the ground and only true basis of love to our brother.
**we know--**John means here, not the outward criteria of genuine brotherly love, but the inward spiritual criteria of it, consciousness of love to God man...
Read full commentary →The Seventh Trumpet
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**THE SEVENTH TRUMPET—THE LAST WOE TRUMPET.**
(15) **And the seventh angel . . .**—Better, *And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in the heaven* (*persons*) *saying*, *The kingdom of the world is become* *(the possession) of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign to the ages of ages.* The literal translation is, *The kingdom of the world is become our Lord*’*s, and of...
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**3. this is--**the love of God consists in this.
**not grievous--**as so many think them. It is "the way of the transgressor" that "is hard." What makes them to the regenerate "not grievous," is faith which "overcometh the world" (1Jo 5:4): in proportion as faith is strong, the grievousness of God's commandments to the rebellious flesh is overcome. The reason why believers feel any degree of ir...
Read full commentary →And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
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<strong>And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text uses vivid apocalyptic language characteristic...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **And the four . . .**—Translate, *And the four-and-twenty elders*, *who before God were seated upon their thrones* (not “seats”), *fell upon their faces, and worshipped God.* The four-and-twenty elders represent the Church of God in all ages; they sit with Christ in heavenly places, even while they are toiling and sorrowing on earth; every one of the true children of the kingdom appear befor...
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**4. For--**(See on 1Jo 5:3). The reason why "His commandments are not grievous." Though there is a conflict in keeping them, the sue for the whole body of the regenerate is victory over every opposing influence; meanwhile there is a present joy to each believer in keeping them which makes them "not grievous."
**whatsoever--**Greek, "all that is begotten of God." The neuter expresses the univers...
Read full commentary →Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art , and wast , and art to come ; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
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<strong>Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions and symbolic meaning. The Greek text use...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
**THE CHORUS OF THE CHURCH OF GOD.**
(17) **Saying, We give thee thanks . . .**—Better,
“We thank Thee, O Lord,
The God, the Almighty,
He that is, and He that was,
Because Thou hast taken Thy great power and didst reign.
And the nations were angry,
And then came Thine anger And the season of the dead to be judged,
And to give their rewards to Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints,
And to th...
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**5. Who--**"Who" else "but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God:" "the Christ" (1Jo 5:1)? Confirming, by a triumphant question defying all contradiction, as an undeniable fact, 1Jo 5:4, that the victory which overcomes the world is faith. For it is by believing: that we are made one with Jesus the Son of God, so that we partake of His victory over the world, and have dwelling in us One ...
Read full commentary →And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. destroy the earth: or, corrupt the earth
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them...</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allu...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. This--**the Person mentioned in 1Jo 5:5. This Jesus.
**he that came by water and blood--**"by water," when His ministry was inaugurated by baptism in the Jordan, and He received the Father's testimony to His Messiahship and divine Sonship. Compare 1Jo 5:5, "believeth that Jesus is the Son of God," with Joh 1:33, 34, "The Spirit ... remaining on Him ... I saw and bare record that this is the...
Read full commentary →And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail....</strong> This verse from Revelation's vision of two witnesses and seventh trumpet - faithful testimony, christ's kingdom proclaimed employs apocalyptic imagery rich with Old Testament allusions a...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **And the temple of God **. . .—Translate, *And* *the temple of God was opened in the heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunders, and an earthquake, and a great hail.* At the beginning of the chapter we noticed the distinction between the two words (*naos* and *hieron)* applied to the Temple; the Temple building proper (the ...
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**7. three--**Two or three witnesses were required by law to constitute adequate testimony. The only Greek manuscripts in any form which support the words, "in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three are one; and there are three that bear witness in earth," are the Montfortianus of Dublin, copied evidently from the modern Latin Vulgate; the Ravianus, copied from the Compl...
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