1And a measuring reed like a staff was given to me, saying: "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those worshiping in it. [11:2] And the courtyard outside the temple — cast it outside, and do not measure it, because it has been given to the nations; and the holy city they will trample for forty-two months. [11:3] And I will grant to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." [11:4] These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the earth. [11:5] And if anyone desires to harm them, fire goes out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if anyone desires to harm them, thus it is necessary for him to be killed. [11:6] These have the power to shut the sky, so that rain may not fall in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over the waters, to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
REV 11:1-6
The Two Witnesses
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, the imagery of measuring the temple and altar would resonate deeply with Jewish listeners familiar with the Second Temple’s sacred architecture and its role in worship. The exclusion of the outer courtyard, given to the Gentiles , reflects the tension between Jewish purity and Gentile presence, a recurring theme in Second Temple Judaism. The mention of sackcloth evokes mourning and repentance, practices tied to prophetic tradition and national lamentation. The two witnesses, described as olive trees and lampstands, draw on Zechariah’s vision (Zech 4:2-14), symbolizing divine anointing and light-bearing roles. Their prophesying for 1,260 days aligns with apocalyptic timeframes, echoing Daniel’s symbolic periods of trial. The imagery of trampling the holy city for 42 months reflects the Roman occupation and the desecration of sacred spaces, a reality familiar to Jewish audiences under imperial rule.
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How other translations render this
REV 11:1
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told, “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the number of worshipers there.
- Koinōnos
- And a measuring reed like a staff was given to me, saying: "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those worshiping in it.
REV 11:2
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- But exclude the courtyard outside the temple. Do not measure it, because it has been given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for 42 months.
- Koinōnos
- And the courtyard outside the temple — cast it outside, and do not measure it, because it has been given to the nations; and the holy city they will trample for forty-two months.
REV 11:3
- KJV
- And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
- BSB
- And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
- Koinōnos
- And I will grant to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy a thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.
REV 11:4
- KJV
- These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
- BSB
- These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.
- Koinōnos
- These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the earth.
REV 11:5
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- If anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouths and devours their enemies. In this way, anyone who wants to harm them must be killed.
- Koinōnos
- And if anyone desires to harm them, fire goes out of their mouth and devours their enemies; and if anyone desires to harm them, thus it is necessary for him to be killed.
REV 11:6
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish.
- Koinōnos
- These have the power to shut the sky, so that rain may not fall in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over the waters, to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
REV 11:1
- a measuring rod:The word translated 'a measuring rod' refers to a reed or cane, which was commonly used as a measuring stick in the ancient world, not a manufactured metal rod.
REV 11:2
- nations;:The term translated 'nations' often carried the connotation of non-Jewish peoples or Gentiles in the context of the New Testament, distinguishing them from Israel.
REV 11:3
- sackcloth.:The 'sackcloth' mentioned here was typically a coarse, dark fabric made from goat hair, worn as a sign of mourning, repentance, or distress, not a modern burlap sack.
REV 11:4
- standing.:The word translated 'standing' implies a position of authority, readiness, or service, rather than simply being upright.