Revelation 11:1New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— Then there was given me a measuring rod like a staff; and someone said, “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— 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.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— And there was given 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.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— And there was given 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.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— And there was given me a reed like a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship in it.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— And there was given to me a reed like a staff, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship in it.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— And there was given unto me a reed, like unto a staff, saying—Rise, and measure the Sanctuary of God, and the altar, and them who are doing homage therein;
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— And there was given to me a reed like to a rod, and the messenger stood, saying, 'Rise, and measure the sanctuary of God, and the altar, and those worshipping in it;
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— And there was given me a reed, like unto a rod. And it was said to me: Arise, and measure the temple of God and the altar and them that adore therein.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— Then was giuen me a reede, like vnto a rod, and the Angel stoode by, saying, Rise and mete the Temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— And there was giuen me a reede like vnto a rod, and the Angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the Temple of God, and the Altar, and them that worship therein.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— AND there was given to me a reed like a rod; and the angel stood, saying, Arise and anoint the temple of God and the altar and those who worship therein.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— AND there was given to me a reed, like a staff; and the angel stood, saying, Arise, measure the temple of Aloha, and the altar, and them who worship therein;
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— And a reed was given to me, like a rod; and the angel stood, saying, Arise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. |
And
2532 {2532} Primeκαίkai{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
there was given
1325 {1325} Primeδίδωμιdidomi{did'-o-mee}
A prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternate in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection).
z5681 <5681> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777) Voice - Passive (See G5786) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 602
me
3427 {3427} Primeμοίmoi{moy}
The simpler form of G1698; to me.
a reed
2563 {2563} Primeκάλαμοςkalamos{kal'-am-os}
Of uncertain affinity; a reed (the plant or its stem, or that of a similar plant); by implication a pen.
like
y3664 [3664] Standardὅμοιοςhomoios{hom'-oy-os}
From the base of G3674; similar (in appearance or character).
unto
x3664 (3664) Complementὅμοιοςhomoios{hom'-oy-os}
From the base of G3674; similar (in appearance or character).
a rod:
4464 {4464} Primeῥάβδοςrhabdos{hrab'-dos}
From the base of G4474; a stick or wand (as a cudgel, a cane or a baton of royalty).
and
2532 {2532} Primeκαίkai{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
the
x3588 (3588) Complementὁho{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
angel
32 {0032} Primeἄγγελοςaggelos{ang'-el-os}
From ἀγγέλλω [[aggello]] (probably derived from G0071; compare G0034; to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an ' angel'; by implication a pastor.
stood,
2476 {2476} Primeἵστημιhistemi{his'-tay-mee}
A prolonged form of a primary word στάω [[stao]], {stah'-o} (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively).
z5715 <5715> Grammar
Tense - Pluperfect (See G5779) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 83
saying,
3004 {3004} Primeλέγωlego{leg'-o}
A primary verb; properly to 'lay' forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by implication to mean.
z5723 <5723> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Participle (See G5796) Count - 2549
Rise,
1453 {1453} Primeἐγείρωegeiro{eg-i'-ro}
Probably akin to the base of G0058 (through the idea of collecting one's faculties); to waken (transitively or intransitively), that is, rouse (literally from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively from obscurity, inactivity, ruins, nonexistence).
z5669 <5669> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777) Voice - Middle (See G5785) Mood - Imperative (See G5794) Count - 30
and
2532 {2532} Primeκαίkai{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
measure
3354 {3354} Primeμετρέωmetreo{met-reh'-o}
From G3358; to measure (that is, ascertain in size by a fixed standard); by implication to admeasure (that is, allot by rule); figuratively to estimate.
z5657 <5657> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Imperative (See G5794) Count - 376
the
x3588 (3588) Complementὁho{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
temple
3485 {3485} Primeναόςnaos{nah-os'}
From a primary word ναίω [[naio]] (to dwell); a fane, shrine, temple.
of God,
2316 {2316} Primeθεόςtheos{theh'-os}
Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very.
and
2532 {2532} Primeκαίkai{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
the
x3588 (3588) Complementὁho{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
altar,
2379 {2379} Primeθυσιαστήριονthusiasterion{thoo-see-as-tay'-ree-on}
From a derivative of G2378; a place of sacrifice, that is, an altar (specifically or generally, literally or figuratively).
and
2532 {2532} Primeκαίkai{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
them that worship
4352 {4352} Primeπροσκυνέωproskuneo{pros-koo-neh'-o}
From G4314 and probably a derivative of G2965 (meaning to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, that is, (literally or figuratively) prostrate oneself in homage ( do reverence to, adore).
z5723 <5723> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Participle (See G5796) Count - 2549
therein.
1722 {1722} Primeἐνen{en}
A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between G1519 and G1537); ' in', at, (up-) on, by, etc.
846 {0846} Primeαὐτόςautos{ow-tos'}
From the particle αὖ [[au]] (perhaps akin to the base of G0109 through the idea of a baffling wind; backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the compound of G1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons. |
Revelation 11:1
_ _ Revelation 11:1-19. Measurement of the temple. The two witnesses’ testimony: their death, resurrection, and ascension: The earthquake: The third woe: The seventh trumpet ushers in Christ’s Kingdom. Thanksgiving of the twenty-four elders.
_ _ This eleventh chapter is a compendious summary of, and introduction to, the more detailed prophecies of the same events to come in the twelfth through twentieth chapters. Hence we find anticipatory allusions to the subsequent prophecies; compare Revelation 11:7, “the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit” (not mentioned before), with the detailed accounts, Revelation 13:1, Revelation 13:11; Revelation 17:8; also Revelation 11:8, “the great city,” with Revelation 14:8; Revelation 17:1, Revelation 17:5; Revelation 18:10.
_ _ and the angel stood — omitted in A, Vulgate, and Coptic. Supported by B and Syriac. If it be omitted, the “reed” will, in construction, agree with “saying.” So Wordsworth takes it. The reed, the canon of Scripture, the measuring reed of the Church, our rule of faith, speaks. So in Revelation 16:7 the altar is personified as speaking (compare Note, see on Revelation 16:7). The Spirit speaks in the canon of Scripture (the word canon is derived from Hebrew, “kaneh,” “a reed,” the word here used; and John it was who completed the canon). So Victorinus, Aquinas, and Vitringa. “Like a rod,” namely, straight: like a rod of iron (Revelation 2:27), unbending, destroying all error, and that “cannot be broken.” Revelation 2:27; Hebrews 1:8, Greek, “a rod of straightness,” English Version, “a scepter of righteousness”; this is added to guard against it being thought that the reed was one “shaken by the wind” In the abrupt style of the Apocalypse, “saying” is possibly indefinite, put for “one said.” Still Wordsworth’s view agrees best with Greek. So the ancient commentator, Andreas of Caesarea, in the end of the fifth century (compare Notes, see on Revelation 11:3, Revelation 11:4).
_ _ the temple — Greek, “naon” (as distinguished from the Greek, “hieron,” or temple in general), the Holy Place, “the sanctuary.”
_ _ the altar — of incense; for it alone was in “the sanctuary.” (Greek, “naos”). The measurement of the Holy place seems to me to stand parallel to the sealing of the elect of Israel under the sixth seal. God’s elect are symbolized by the sanctuary at Jerusalem (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 3:17, where the same Greek word, “naos,” occurs for “temple,” as here). Literal Israel in Jerusalem, and with the temple restored (Ezekiel 40:3, Ezekiel 40:5, where also the temple is measured with the measuring reed, the forty-first, forty-second, forty-third, and forty-fourth chapters), shall stand at the head of the elect Church. The measuring implies at once the exactness of the proportions of the temple to be restored, and the definite completeness (not one being wanting) of the numbers of the Israelite and of the Gentile elections. The literal temple at Jerusalem shall be the typical forerunner of the heavenly Jerusalem, in which there shall be all temple, and no portion exclusively set apart as temple. John’s accurately drawing the distinction in subsequent chapters between God’s servants and those who bear the mark of the beast, is the way whereby he fulfils the direction here given him to measure the temple. The fact that the temple is distinguished from them that worship therein, favors the view that the spiritual temple, the Jewish and Christian Church, is not exclusively meant, but that the literal temple must also be meant. It shall be rebuilt on the return of the Jews to their land. Antichrist shall there put forward his blasphemous claims. The sealed elect of Israel, the head of the elect Church, alone shall refuse his claims. These shall constitute the true sanctuary which is here measured, that is, accurately marked and kept by God, whereas the rest shall yield to his pretensions. Wordsworth objects that, in the twenty-five passages of the Acts, wherein the Jewish temple is mentioned, it is called hieron, not naos, and so in the apostolic Epistles; but this is simply because no occasion for mentioning the literal Holy Place (Greek, “naos”) occurs in Acts and the Epistles; indeed, in Acts 7:48, though not directly, there does occur the term, naos, indirectly referring to the Jerusalem temple Holy Place. In addressing Gentile Christians, to whom the literal Jerusalem temple was not familiar, it was to be expected the term, naos, should not be found in the literal, but in the spiritual sense. In Revelation 11:19 naos is used in a local sense; compare also Revelation 14:15, Revelation 14:17; Revelation 15:5, Revelation 15:8. |
Revelation 11:1-2
_ _ This prophetical passage about measuring the temple is a plain reference to what we find in Ezekiel's vision, Ezekiel 40:3, etc. 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 may be seen how far it agrees with the standard, or pattern, in the mount; or, 3. For its reformation; that what is redundant, deficient, or changed, may be regulated according to the true model. Observe,
_ _ I. How much was to be measured. 1. The temple; the gospel church in general, whether it be so built, so constituted, as the gospel rule directs, whether it be too narrow or too large, the door too wide or too strait. 2. The altar. That which was the place of the most solemn acts of worship may be put for religious worship in general; whether the church has the true altars, both as to substance and situation: as to substance, whether they take Christ for their altar, and lay down all their offerings there; and in situation, whether the altar be in the holiest; that is, whether they worship God in the Spirit and in truth. 3. The worshippers too must be measured, whether they make God's glory their end and his word their rule, in all their acts of worship; and whether they come to God with suitable affections, and whether their conversation be as becomes the gospel.
_ _ II. What was not to be measured (Revelation 11:2), and why it should be left out. 1. What was not to be measured: The court which is without the temple measure it not. Some say that Herod, in the additions made to the temple, built an outer court, and called it the court of the Gentiles. Some tell us that Adrian built the city and an outer court, and called it Aelia, and gave it to the Gentiles. 2. Why was not the outer court measured? This was no part of the temple, according to the model either of Solomon or Zerubbabel, and therefore God would have no regard to it. He would not mark it out for preservation; but as it was designed for the Gentiles, to bring pagan ceremonies and customs and to annex them to the gospel churches, so Christ abandoned it to them, to be used as they pleased; and both that and the city were trodden under foot for a certain time — forty and two months, which some would have to be the whole time of the reign of antichrist. Those who worship in the outer court are either such as worship in a false manner or with hypocritical hearts; and these are rejected of God, and will be found among his enemies. 3. From the whole observe, (1.) God will have a temple and an altar in the world, till the end of time. (2.) He has a strict regard to this temple, and observes how every thing is managed in it. (3.) Those who worship in the outer court will be rejected, and only those who worship within the veil accepted. (4.) The holy city, the visible church, is very much trampled upon in the world. But, (5.) The desolations of the church are for a limited time, and for a short time, and she shall be delivered out of all her troubles. |
Revelation 11:1
And there (1) was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and (2) measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
(1) The authority of the intended revelation being declared, together with the necessity of that calling which was particularly imposed on John after which follows the history of the estate of Christ his Church, both conflicting or warring, and overcoming in Christ. For the true Church of Christ is said to fight against that which is falsely so called, over which Antichrist rules, Christ Jesus overthrowing Antichrist by the spirit of his mouth: and Christ is said to overcome most gloriously until he shall slay Antichrist by the appearance of his coming, as the apostle teaches in (2 Thessalonians 2:8). So this history has two parts: One of the state of the Church conflicting with temptations until Chapter 16. The other of the state of the same church obtaining victory, thence to Chapter 20. The first part has two sections most conveniently distributed into their times, of which the first contains a history of the Christian Church for 1260 years, what time the gospel of Christ was as it were taken up from among men into heaven: the second contains a history of the same Church to the victory perfected. These two sections are briefly, though distinctly propounded in this chapter, but both of them are discoursed after in due order. For we understand the state of the Church conflicting, out of Chapters 12 and 13, and of the same growing out of afflictions, out of Chapters 14 to 16. Neither did John unknowingly join together the history of these two times in this chapter, because here is spoken of prophecy, which all confess to be but one just and immutable in the Church, and which Christ commanded to be continual. The history of the former time reaches to (Revelation 11:2-14), the latter is set down in the rest of this chapter (Revelation 11:15-19). In the former are shown these things: the calling of the servants of God in (Revelation 11:4) the conflicts which the faithful must undergo in their calling, for Christ and his Church, thence to (Revelation 11:5-10) and their resurrection, and receiving up into heaven to (Revelation 11:11-14). In the calling of the servants of God, two things are mentioned: the begetting and settling of the Church in two verses, and the education of it in two verses. The begetting of the Church is here commended to John by sign and by speech: the sign is a measuring rod, and the speech a commandment to measure the Temple of God, that is, to reduce the same to a new form: because the Gentiles are already entered into the Temple of Jerusalem, and shall shortly defile and overthrow it completely.
(2) Either that of Jerusalem's, which was a figure of the Church of Christ, or that heavenly model in (Revelation 11:19) but I like the first better, and the things following all agree to it. The sense therefore is, you see all things in God's house, almost from the passion of Christ, to be disordered: and not only the city of Jerusalem, but also the court of the Temple is trampled under foot by the nations, and by profane men whether Jews or strangers: and that only this Temple, that is, the body of the Temple, with the altar, and a small company of good men who truly worship God, do now remain, whom God sanctifies and confirms by his presence. Measure therefore this, even this true Church, or rather the true type of the true Church, omitting the rest, and so describe all things from me, that the true Church of Christ may be as it were a very little centre, and the Church of Antichrist as the circle of the centre, every way in length and breadth compassing about the same, that by way of prophecy you may so declare openly, that the state of the Temple of God, and the faithful who worship him, that is, of the Church, is much more upright than the Church of Antichrist. |
- a reed:
Revelation 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
Isaiah 28:17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Ezekiel 40:3-5 And he brought me thither, and, behold, [there was] a man, whose appearance [was] like the appearance of brass, with a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed; and he stood in the gate. ... And behold a wall on the outside of the house round about, and in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits [long] by the cubit and an hand breadth: so he measured the breadth of the building, one reed; and the height, one reed.
Ezekiel 42:15-20 Now when he had made an end of measuring the inner house, he brought me forth toward the gate whose prospect [is] toward the east, and measured it round about. ... He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred [reeds] long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.
Zechariah 2:1-2 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand. ... Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what [is] the breadth thereof, and what [is] the length thereof.
Galatians 6:14-16 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. ... And as many as walk according to this rule, peace [be] on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
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- and the:
Revelation 10:1-5 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow [was] upon his head, and his face [was] as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: ... And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,
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- Rise:
Numbers 33:18 And they departed from Hazeroth, and pitched in Rithmah.
Ezekiel 40:1-48:35 In the five and twentieth year of our captivity, in the beginning of the year, in the tenth [day] of the month, in the fourteenth year after that the city was smitten, in the selfsame day the hand of the LORD was upon me, and brought me thither. ... [It was] round about eighteen thousand [measures]: and the name of the city from [that] day [shall be], The LORD [is] there.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? ... If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.
2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Ephesians 2:20-22 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; ... In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
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