Devine Scripture

Revelation 11:2

What does Revelation 11:2 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 11:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 11:2 means

John must leave the outer court unmeasured because it is given over to the nations. The “holy city” will be trampled for forty-two months, a limited but intense period. This time marker—three and a half years—appears in different forms and signals restraint: evil rages, yet only within God’s set bounds. The unmeasured court portrays exposure and desecration, contrasting with the guarded inner worship. The trampling of the city echoes past and future seasons when God’s people and place are pressured, but not finally destroyed. The verse assures that suffering is real, public, and painful, yet it is neither random nor endless; it is fenced by God’s decree.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it hath been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the court which is without the temple leave without, and measure it not; for it hath been given unto the nations: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But do not take the measure of the space outside the house; because it has been given to the nations: and the holy town will be under their feet for forty-two months.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the court that is without the sanctuary leave out, and thou mayest not measure it, because it was given to the nations, and the holy city they shall tread down forty-two months;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the court which is without the temple, cast out and measure it not: because it is given unto the Gentiles. And the holy city they shall tread under foot, two and forty months:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the court which [is] without the temple cast out, and measure it not; because it has been given [up] to the nations, and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty-two months.

Context

Following the measuring of the inner precincts, this verse explains what is left outside: the nations will dominate the outer court and the holy city for a fixed term. This provides the historical and symbolic backdrop for the next scene—the appearance of the two witnesses—whose ministry spans the same basic duration. The contrast between preserved worshipers and a trampled city interprets the witnesses’ role as God’s voice amid oppression. The time limit also prepares the reader for the witnesses’ eventual death, resurrection, and the swift approach of the seventh trumpet.

v.1And 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.

v.2This passage

v.3And I will give unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:3

    let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,

  • Hebrews 10:29

    of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

  • Luke 21:24

    And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led captive into all the nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

  • Matthew 5:13

    Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.

  • Daniel 12:11

    And from the time that the continual burnt-offering shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

  • Daniel 8:10

    And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and some of the host and of the stars it cast down to the ground, and trampled upon them.

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