Verse 1 :
Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there." • "Then": in Greek
kai, meaning "and"; translated as "then" here to 'indicate the implied sequence within the narrative'.
Verse 2 :[The angel said:]
"But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months." • "Holy city": seems to refer to
Jerusalem (cf.
Luke 21:24). • "forty-two months": This is three and a half years, which is half of
the sacred number seven.
Verse 3 :
And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. • "Power": This word is not in the Greek text, but is implied; added here for clarification. • "one thousand two hundred and sixty days": Since the
Hebrew calendar is composed of twelve 30-day months, this represents three and a half years.
Verse 4 of
Pope Pius VII on which the text of Revelation 11:4 was engraved. :
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. This verse was engraved on a
papal tiara which Napoleon gave to
Pope Pius VII.
Verse 5 :
And if any man will hurt them, fire cometh out of his mouth, and devoureth his enemies; and if anyone wants to harm them, it matters that he is killed. Verse 6 :
They have the power to shut the sky, that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. • "Power": or "authority" ==Two witnesses killed and raised (11:7–14)==