Revelation 11:11

What does Revelation 11:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 11:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 11:11 means

After the three and a half days, God breathes life into the witnesses; they stand up, and terror grips all who see them. The resurrection is God’s unmistakable answer to the world’s verdict. The language recalls the life-giving breath that raises dry bones, showing divine initiative and creative power. Public death is followed by public restoration, turning mockery into fear. This act vindicates their message and their God, proving that death cannot cancel the testimony God wills to continue. The fear that falls is not mere surprise; it is recognition that a holy power has intruded, overturning human control and exposing the futility of persecuting God’s servants.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that beheld them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And after the three days and a half the breath of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them that beheld them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And after three days and a half the breath of life from God went into them, and they got up on their feet; and great fear came on those who saw them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And after the three days and a half, a spirit of life from God did enter into them, and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon those beholding them,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And after three days and a half, the spirit of life from God entered into them. And they stood upon their feet: and great fear fell upon them that saw them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And after the three days and a half [the] spirit of life fromGod came into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon those beholding them.

Context

At the height of the world’s celebration, the reversal comes: life from God enters the fallen witnesses. This prepares for the next step—heaven’s voice summoning them upward. The flow moves quickly now: resurrection, ascension, and then immediate earthly judgment through an earthquake. Each stage escalates the revelation of God’s sovereignty and presses the watching world from glee to dread to a constrained acknowledgment of the God of heaven, setting the scene for the transition to the seventh trumpet.

v.10And they that dwell on the earth rejoice over them, and make merry; and they shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwell on the earth.

v.11This passage

v.12And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they went up into heaven in the cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 5:11

    And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.

  • Romans 8:11

    But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

  • Ezekiel 37:5

    Thus saith the Lord Jehovah unto these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.

  • Acts 5:5

    And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up the ghost: and great fear came upon all that heard it.

  • Hosea 3:5

    afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek Jehovah their God, and David their king, and shall come with fear unto Jehovah and to his goodness in the latter days.

  • Joshua 2:9

    and she said unto the men, I know that Jehovah hath given you the land, and that the fear of you is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.

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