Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: Revelation 11:1 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Re 11:1 |
Strong Concordance |
And [2532] there was given [1325] me [3427] a reed [2563] like [3664] unto a rod [4464]: and [2532] the angel [32] stood [2476], saying [3004], Rise [1453], and [2532] measure [3354] the temple [3485] of God [2316], and [2532] the altar [2379], and [2532] them that worship [4352] therein [1722] [846]. |
| |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
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. (Rev. 11:1-19)
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 Rev 16:7 the altar is personified as speaking (compare Note, see on Rev 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 (Rev 2:27), unbending, destroying all error, and that "cannot be broken." Rev 2:27; Heb 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 CÆSAREA, in the end of the fifth century (compare Notes, see on Rev 11:3-4).
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 (Co1 3:16-17, where the same Greek word, "naos," occurs for "temple," as here). Literal Israel in Jerusalem, and with the temple restored (Eze 40:3, Eze 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 Act 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 Rev 11:19 naos is used in a local sense; compare also Rev 14:15, Rev 14:17; Rev 15:5, Rev 15:8. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
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 that it had any literal reference to the temple, or even that John would so understand it. Nor does the language used here prove that the temple was standing at the time when the book was written; for, as it is symbolical, it is what would be employed whether the temple were standing or not, and would be as likely to be used in the one case as in the other. It is such language as John, educated as a Jew, and familiar with the temple worship, would be likely to employ if he designed to make a representation pertaining to the church.
A reed - κάλαμος kalamos. This word properly denotes a plant with a jointed hollow stalk, growing in wet grounds. Then it refers to the stalk as cut for use - as a measuring-stick, as in this place; or a mock scepter, Mat 27:29-30; or a pen for writing, Jo3 1:13. Here it means merely a stick that could be used for measuring.
Like unto a rod - This word - ῥάβδος rabdos - means properly a "rod, wand, staff," used either for scourging, Co1 4:21; or for leaning upon in walking, Mat 10:10; or for a scepter, Heb 1:8. Here the meaning is, that the reed that was put into his hands was like such a rod or staff in respect to size, and was therefore convenient for handling. The word "rod" also is used to denote a measuring-pole, Psa 74:2; Jer 10:16; Jer 51:19.
And the angel stood, saying - The phrase, "the angel stood," is missing in many mss. and editions of the New Testament, and is rejected by Prof. Stuart as spurious. It is also rejected in the critical editions of Griesbach and Hahn, and marked as doubtful by Tittmann. The best critical authority is against it, and it appears to have been introduced from Zac 3:5. The connection does not demand it, and we may, therefore, regard the meaning to be, that the one who gave him the reed, whoever he was, at the same time addressed him, and commanded him to take a measure of the temple and the altar.
Rise, and measure the temple of God - That is, ascertain its true dimensions with the reed in your hand. Of course, this could not be understood of the literal temple - whether standing or not - for the exact measure of that was sufficiently well known. The word, then, must be used of something which the temple would denote or represent, and this would properly be the church, considered as the abode of God on the earth. Under the old dispensation, the temple at Jerusalem was that abode; under the new, that special residence was transferred to the church, and God is represented as dwelling in it. See the notes on Co1 3:16. Thus, the word is undoubtedly used here, and the simple meaning is, that he who is thus addressed is directed to take an accurate estimate of the true church of God; as accurate as if he were to apply a measuring-reed to ascertain the dimensions of the temple at Jerusalem. In doing that, if the direction had been literally to measure the temple at Jerusalem, he would ascertain its length, and breadth, and height; he would measure its rooms, its doorways, its porticoes; he would take such a measurement of it that, in a description or drawing, it could be distinguished from other edifices, or that one could be constructed like it, or that a just idea could be obtained of it if it should be destroyed.
If the direction be understood figuratively, as applicable to the Christian church, the work to be done would be to obtain an exact estimate or measurement of what the true church was - as distinguished from all other bodies of people, and as constituted and appointed by the direction of God; such a measurement that its characteristics could be made known; that a church could be organized according to this, and that the accurate description could be transmitted to future times. John has not, indeed, preserved the measurement; for the main idea here is not that he was to preserve such a model, but that, in the circumstances, and at the time referred to, the proper business would be to engage in such a measurement of the church that its true dimensions or character might be known. There would be, therefore, a fulfillment of this, if at the time here referred to there should be occasions, from any cause, to inquire what constituted the true church; if it was necessary to separate and distinguish it from all other bodies; and if there should be any such prevailing uncertainty as to make an accurate investigation necessary.
And the altar - On the form, situation, and uses of the altar, see the Mat 5:23-24; Mat 21:12. The altar here referred to was, undoubtedly, the altar situated in front of the temple, where the daily sacrifice was offered. To measure that literally, would be to take its dimensions of length, breadth, and height; but it is plain that that cannot be intended here, for there was no such altar where John was, and, if the reference were to the altar at Jerusalem, its dimensions were sufficiently known. This language, then, like the former, must be understood metaphorically, and then it must mean - as the altar was the place of sacrifice - to take an estimate of the church considered with reference to its notions of sacrifice, or of the prevailing views respecting the sacrifice to be made for sin, and the method of reconciliation with God. It is by sacrifice that a method is provided for reconciliation with God; by sacrifice that sin is pardoned; by sacrifice that man is justified; and the direction here is equivalent, therefore, to a command to make an investigation on these subjects, and all that is implied would be fulfilled if a state of things should exist where it would be necessary to institute an examination into the prevailing views in the church on the subject of the atonement, and the true method of justification before God.
And them that worship therein - In the temple, or, as the temple is the representation here of the church, of those who are in the church as professed worshippers of God. There is some apparent incongruity in directing him to "measure" those who were engaged in worship; but the obvious meaning is, that he was to take a correct estimate of their character; of what they professed; of the reality of their piety; of their lives, and of the general state of the church considered as professedly worshipping God. This would receive its fulfillment if a state of things should arise in the church which would make it necessary to go into a close and searching examination on all these points, in order to ascertain what was the true church, and what was necessary to constitute true membership in it. There were, therefore, three things, as indicated by this verse, which John was directed to do, so far as the use of the measuring-rod was concerned:
(a) to take a just estimate of what constitutes the true church, as distinguished from all other associations of people;
(b) to institute a careful examination into the opinions in the church on the subject of sacrifice or atonement - involving the whole question about the method of justification before God; and,
(c) to take a correct estimate of what constitutes true membership in the church; or to investigate with care the prevailing opinions about the qualifications for membership. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
A rod
See on Rev 2:27.
And the angel stood
Omit. The insertion of these words furnishes a subject for the agreement of the participle λέγων, which is irregular an construction. Literally the correct text reads, "there was given me a reed, saying." Accordingly Wordsworth refers the speech to the reed as an inspired medium of speech. Rev., better, and one said.
The temple (τὸν ναὸν)
See on Mat 4:5.
The altar
Of incense, as that alone stood in the sacred place.
Them that worship
Note the peculiar expressed, measuring the worshippers with a reed. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
And there was given me a reed - See Eze 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. |
8 And [2532] the temple [3485] was filled [1072] with smoke [2586] from [1537] the glory [1391] of God [2316], and [2532] from [1537] his [846] power [1411]; and [2532] no man [3762] was able [1410] to enter [1525] into [1519] the temple [3485], till [891] the seven [2033] plagues [4127] of the seven [2033] angels [32] were fulfilled [5055].
5 And [2532] after [3326] that [5023] I looked [1492], and [2532], behold [2400], the temple [3485] of the tabernacle [4633] of the testimony [3142] in [1722] heaven [3772] was opened [455]:
17 And [2532] another [243] angel [32] came [1831] out of [1537] the temple [3485] which [3588] is in [1722] heaven [3772], he [846] also [2532] having [2192] a sharp [3691] sickle [1407].
15 And [2532] another [243] angel [32] came [1831] out of [1537] the temple [3485], crying [2896] with [1722] a loud [3173] voice [5456] to him that sat [2521] on [1909] the cloud [3507], Thrust in [3992] thy [4675] sickle [1407], and [2532] reap [2325]: for [3754] the time [5610] is come [2064] for thee [4671] to reap [2325]; for [3754] the harvest [2326] of the earth [1093] is ripe [3583].
19 And [2532] the temple [3485] of God [2316] was opened [455] in [1722] heaven [3772], and [2532] there was seen [3700] in [1722] his [846] temple [3485] the ark [2787] of his [846] testament [1242]: and [2532] there were [1096] lightnings [796], and [2532] voices [5456], and [2532] thunderings [1027], and [2532] an earthquake [4578], and [2532] great [3173] hail [5464].
48 Howbeit [235] the most High [5310] dwelleth [2730] not [3756] in [1722] temples [3485] made with hands [5499]; as [2531] saith [3004] the prophet [4396],
5 And behold a wall [02346] on the outside [02351] of the house [01004] round about [05439], and in the man's [0376] hand [03027] a measuring [04060] reed [07070] of six [08337] cubits [0520] long by the cubit [0520] and an hand breadth [02948]: so he measured [04058] the breadth [07341] of the building [01146], one [0259] reed [07070]; and the height [06967], one [0259] reed [07070].
3 And he brought [0935] me thither, and, behold, there was a man [0376], whose appearance [04758] was like the appearance [04758] of brass [05178], with a line [06616] of flax [06593] in his hand [03027], and a measuring [04060] reed [07070]; and he stood [05975] in the gate [08179].
16 Know ye [1492] not [3756] that [3754] ye are [2075] the temple [3485] of God [2316], and [2532] that the Spirit [4151] of God [2316] dwelleth [3611] in [1722] you [5213]?
17 If any man [1536] defile [5351] the temple [3485] of God [2316], him [5126] shall [5351] God [2316] destroy [5351]; for [1063] the temple [3485] of God [2316] is [2076] holy [40], which [3748] temple ye [5210] are [2075].
3 And [2532] I will give [1325] power unto my [3450] two [1417] witnesses [3144], and [2532] they shall prophesy [4395] a thousand [5507] two hundred [1250] and threescore [1835] days [2250], clothed in [4016] sackcloth [4526].
4 These [3778] are [1526] the two [1417] olive [1636] trees, and [2532] the two [1417] candlesticks [3087] standing [2476] before [1799] the God [2316] of the earth [1093].
8 But [1161] unto [4314] the Son [5207] he saith, Thy [4675] throne [2362], O God [2316], is for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]: a sceptre [4464] of righteousness [2118] is the sceptre [4464] of thy [4675] kingdom [932].
27 And [2532] he shall rule [4165] them [846] with [1722] a rod [4464] of iron [4603]; as [5613] the vessels [4632] of a potter [2764] shall they be broken to shivers [4937]: even [2504] as [5613] I [2504] received [2983] of [3844] my [3450] Father [3962].
27 And [2532] he shall rule [4165] them [846] with [1722] a rod [4464] of iron [4603]; as [5613] the vessels [4632] of a potter [2764] shall they be broken to shivers [4937]: even [2504] as [5613] I [2504] received [2983] of [3844] my [3450] Father [3962].
7 And [2532] I heard [191] another [243] out of [1537] the altar [2379] say [3004], Even so [3483], Lord [2962] God [2316] Almighty [3841], true [228] and [2532] righteous [1342] are thy [4675] judgments [2920].
7 And [2532] I heard [191] another [243] out of [1537] the altar [2379] say [3004], Even so [3483], Lord [2962] God [2316] Almighty [3841], true [228] and [2532] righteous [1342] are thy [4675] judgments [2920].
12 And [2532] Jesus [2424] went [1525] into [1519] the temple [2411] of God [2316], and [2532] cast out [1544] all them [3956] that sold [4453] and [2532] bought [59] in [1722] the temple [2411], and [2532] overthrew [2690] the tables [5132] of the moneychangers [2855], and [2532] the seats [2515] of them that sold [4453] doves [4058],
23 Therefore [3767] if [1437] thou bring [4374] thy [4675] gift [1435] to [1909] the altar [2379], and there [2546] rememberest [3415] that [3754] thy [4675] brother [80] hath [2192] ought [5100] against [2596] thee [4675];
24 Leave [863] there [1563] thy [4675] gift [1435] before [1715] the altar [2379], and [2532] go thy way [5217]; first [4412] be reconciled [1259] to thy [4675] brother [80], and [2532] then [5119] come [2064] and offer [4374] thy [4675] gift [1435].
16 Know ye [1492] not [3756] that [3754] ye are [2075] the temple [3485] of God [2316], and [2532] that the Spirit [4151] of God [2316] dwelleth [3611] in [1722] you [5213]?
5 And I said [0559], Let them set [07760] a fair [02889] mitre [06797] upon his head [07218]. So they set [07760] a fair [02889] mitre [06797] upon his head [07218], and clothed [03847] him with garments [0899]. And the angel [04397] of the LORD [03068] stood by [05975].
19 The portion [02506] of Jacob [03290] is not like them; for he is the former [03335] of all things: and Israel is the rod [07626] of his inheritance [05159]: the LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] is his name [08034].
16 The portion [02506] of Jacob [03290] is not like them: for he is the former [03335] of all things; and Israel [03478] is the rod [07626] of his inheritance [05159]: The LORD [03068] of hosts [06635] is his name [08034].
2 Remember [02142] thy congregation [05712], which thou hast purchased [07069] of old [06924]; the rod [07626] of thine inheritance [05159], which thou hast redeemed [01350]; this mount [02022] Zion [06726], wherein thou hast dwelt [07931].
8 But [1161] unto [4314] the Son [5207] he saith, Thy [4675] throne [2362], O God [2316], is for [1519] ever [165] and ever [165]: a sceptre [4464] of righteousness [2118] is the sceptre [4464] of thy [4675] kingdom [932].
10 Nor [3361] scrip [4082] for [1519] your journey [3598], neither [3366] two [1417] coats [5509], neither [3366] shoes [5266], nor [3366] yet staves [4464]: for [1063] the workman [2040] is [2076] worthy [514] of his [846] meat [5160].
21 What [5101] will ye [2309]? shall I come [2064] unto [4314] you [5209] with [1722] a rod [4464], or [2228] in [1722] love [26], and [5037] in the spirit [4151] of meekness [4236]?
13 I had [2192] many things [4183] to write [1125], but [235] I will [2309] not [3756] with [1223] ink [3188] and [2532] pen [2563] write [1125] unto thee [4671]:
29 And [2532] when they had platted [4120] a crown [4735] of [1537] thorns [173], they put [2007] it upon [1909] his [846] head [2776], and [2532] a reed [2563] in [1909] his [846] right hand [1188]: and [2532] they bowed the knee [1120] before [1715] him [846], and mocked [1702] him [846], saying [3004], Hail [5463], King [935] of the Jews [2453]!
30 And [2532] they spit [1716] upon [1519] him [846], and took [2983] the reed [2563], and [2532] smote [5180] him [846] on [1519] the head [2776].
5 Then [5119] the devil [1228] taketh [3880] him [846] up [3880] into [1519] the holy [40] city [4172], and [2532] setteth [2476] him [846] on [1909] a pinnacle [4419] of the temple [2411],
27 And [2532] he shall rule [4165] them [846] with [1722] a rod [4464] of iron [4603]; as [5613] the vessels [4632] of a potter [2764] shall they be broken to shivers [4937]: even [2504] as [5613] I [2504] received [2983] of [3844] my [3450] Father [3962].
3 And he brought [0935] me thither, and, behold, there was a man [0376], whose appearance [04758] was like the appearance [04758] of brass [05178], with a line [06616] of flax [06593] in his hand [03027], and a measuring [04060] reed [07070]; and he stood [05975] in the gate [08179].