Revelation 11:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 11:1-2

This prophetical passage about measuring the temple is a plain reference to what we find in Ezekiel's vision, Ezek. 40:3 But how to understand either the one or the other is not so easy. It should seem the design of measuring the temple in the former case was in order to the rebuilding of it, and that with advantage; the design of this measurement seems to be either, 1. For the preservation of it in those times of public danger and calamity that are here foretold; or, 2. For its trial; that it... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 11:1-19

In the passages of the Revelation which we are now about to approach we will on many occasions meet the figure of Antichrist. This figure has exercised a strange fascination over the minds of men and many have been the speculations and theories about him. It will, therefore, be convenient to collect the material about Antichrist at this stage and to try to piece it into a connected whole. We may lay it down as a general principle that Antichrist stands for the power in the universe which is... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 11:1-19

11:1-19 A measuring rod like a stall was given to me, with the instructions: "Rise and measure the Temple of God, and the altar and those who worship there. But leave out of the reckoning the outer Court which is outside the Temple and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles, and they will trample on the Holy City for forty-two months. And I will give the task of prophesying to my two witnesses and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 11:1

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod ,.... A measuring reed, which with the Jews was six cubits long, Ezekiel 40:5 ; with the Greeks and Romans, ten feet long; the Ethiopic version here calls it a "golden reed", as in Revelation 21:15 . This was given unto John very likely by the same angel that gave him the little book, since he afterwards bids him arise and measure with it; and by it seems to be designed the holy Scripture, or the word of God, which is sometimes called a line,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 11:1

And there was given me a reed - See Ezekiel 40:3 , etc. Measure the temple of God - This must refer to the temple of Jerusalem; and this is another presumptive evidence that it was yet standing. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 11:1

And there was given me a reed like unto a rod. We are not told by whom the reed is given, but in Revelation 21:1-27 . the angel has the reed, and so also in Ezekiel 40:1-49 ., upon which the incident seems founded (see Ezekiel 40:1-49 .; and cf. the reference to the outer court in Ezekiel 40:17 ). The reed is "like a rod;" that is, like to a staff. It is for a measuring line, as in Zechariah 2:1 . And the angel stood, saying. Omit all except "saying,'' as in the Revised... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 11:1-2

The measuring of the temple. Whether this chapter be the history of events that had already taken place when it was written or were then happening; or whether it consists of predictions inspired of God of events then future, though near at hand in the history of Judaism and of the Church; or of events yet future in the experience of the whole Church, as many affirm; or whether, yet again, the whole chapter be an inspired allegory which, under the likeness of actual historical events, or of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 11:1-14

"My two witnesses." Following on the reception of the little book from the angel's hand, the seer is directed to measure the temple of God, the altar, and the worshippers. The outer court is not to be measured; for it, with the holy city, is to be trampled underfoot forty-two months. During this period (or a like period) there are to be two witnesses for God, clothed in sackcloth, who, though they have power with God, are slighted by men; against them a great onrush is to be made. They... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 11:1-19

The cause of right on earth. "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. 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 underfoot forty and two months," etc. What does this chapter mean? Has it any intelligible meaning? Is it to be taken literally or ideally? One of our most... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 11:1

And there was given me - He does not say by whom, but the connection would seem to imply that it was by the angel. All this is of course to be regarded as symbolical. The representation undoubtedly pertains to a future age, but the language is such as would be properly addressed to one who had been a Jew, and the imagery employed is such as he would be more likely to understand than any other. The language and the imagery are, therefore, taken from the temple, but there is no reason to suppose... read more

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