Text -- Revelation 11:1-5 (NET)

The Fate of the Two Witnesses

11:1 Then a measuring rod like a staff was given to me, and I was told, “Get up and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and the ones who worship there. 11:2 But do not measure the outer courtyard of the temple; leave it out, because it has been given to the Gentiles, and they will trample on the holy city for forty-two months. 11:3 And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for 1,260 days, dressed in sackcloth. 11:4 (These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.) 11:5 If anyone wants to harm them, fire comes out of their mouths and completely consumes their enemies. If anyone wants to harm them, they must be killed this way.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Rev 11:1

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence within the narrative.

² tn Grk “a reed” (but these were used for measuring). Cf. Ezek 40:3ff.

³ tn Grk “saying.”

NET Notes: Rev 11:2

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “but” to indicate the contrast present in this context.

² tn On the term αὐλήν (aulhn) BDAG 150 s.v. αὐλή 1 states, “(outer) court of the temple…Rv 11:2.”

³ tn The precise meaning of the phrase ἔκβαλε ἔξωθεν (ekbale exwqen) is difficult to determine.

⁴ tn Or “to the nations” (the same Greek word may be translated “Gentiles” or “nations”).

⁵ sn The holy city appears to be a reference to Jerusalem. See also Luke 21:24.

NET Notes: Rev 11:3

¹ tn The word “authority” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. “Power” would be another alternative that could be supplied here.

NET Notes: Rev 11:4

¹ sn This description is parenthetical in nature.

NET Notes: Rev 11:5

¹ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.

² tn This is a collective singular in Greek.

³ tn See L&N 20.45 for the translation of κατεσθίω (katesqiw) as “to destroy utterly, to consume completely.”

⁴ tn Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.