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John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 11:1-19

The Two Witnesses. The Seventh Trumpet1-14. Second episode. There is much difference of opinion as to the meaning of this vision. Perhaps the key may be found in the parallelism of the book. There were two episodical visions after the sixth seal (see on Revelation 7), the first signifying that Christ’s people were separated and preserved from God’s judgments, the second that they were preserved not from but through death. The same meaning may be found here.1, 2. The sanctuary and altar of... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 11:2

(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 to measure it, but he is, in a sort, to pass it over, as though reckoned profane. The reason of this is that... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 11:3

(3) And I will give . . .—Translate, And I will give (omit “power”) to my two witnesses, and they shall . . . These are the words of God Himself; the omission of the words “and the angel stood” from Revelation 11:1 prevents any confusion of thought on this point. Two witnesses were required for competent evidence (Deuteronomy 17:6; Deuteronomy 19:15, et al.), and there has constantly been a sending forth of God’s chosen messengers in pairs— Moses and Aaron, Elijah and Elisha, besides Joshua and... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 11:3-14

(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 solution is. At present it is best to lay down the lines which seem to lead in the direction of such a... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Revelation 11:4

(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 supposed to refer to Zerubbabel and Joshua. or, as others think, to Zechariah and Haggai. At that time these... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Revelation 11:1-19

Revelation 11:7 Lord, I read of the two witnesses, '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'. They could not be killed whilst they were doing, but when they had done their work; during their employment they were invincible. No better armour against the darts of death than to be busied in Thy service. Thomas Fuller. The City: Its Sin and Saviour Revelation 11:8 The... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Revelation 11:1-19

CHAPTER VIII.SECOND CONSOLATORY VISION AND THE SEVENTH TRUMPET.Revelation 11:1-19.FROM the first consolatory vision we proceed to the second: -"And there was given unto me a reed like unto a rod: and one said, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. And the court which is without the temple cast without, and measure it not; for it hath been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months (Revelation 11:1-2)."... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Revelation 11:1-18

CHAPTER 11:1-18 Revelation 11:1-2 . We see at once how Jewish things come now into view. To apply these verses to the Church and make the temple the Church is absolutely wrong. The temple and the altar are Jewish; the holy city is Jerusalem. After the Church has left the earth the Jewish people will be fully restored to their own land, and their land restored to them. They will possess Jerusalem once more. When the Jews are once more masters in their own promised land they will erect another... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 11:2

11:2 {3} But the {a} court which is without the temple {b} leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the {4} Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot {5} forty [and] two months.(3) As if he should say, it is not your place to judge those who are outside, 1 Corinthians 5:12 who are innumerable: look to those of the household only, or to the house of the living God.(a) He speaks of the outer court, which was called the peoples court, because all men might come into... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Revelation 11:3

11:3 And {6} I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall {7} prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.(6) I would rather translate it "illud" than "illam" the temple than the city: for God says, I will give that temple, and commit it to my two witnesses, that is, to the ministers of the word, who are few indeed, weak and contemptible: but yet two, that is, of such a number as one of them may help another, and one confirm the testimony of another... read more

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