Devine Scripture

Revelation 11:3

What does Revelation 11:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 11:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 11:3 means

God Himself authorizes “my two witnesses” to prophesy for one thousand two hundred and sixty days—another expression of the same three-and-a-half-year span. Clothed in sackcloth, they embody grief over sin and call for repentance. Their office is prophetic: speaking God’s truth into a hostile world during a measured season of turmoil. The number two evokes the requirement for valid testimony, showing their message is established and reliable. Their authority and duration are gifts from God, not self-appointed. Their attire and time frame indicate that their ministry is urgent, sober, and countercultural, confronting hard hearts with the reality of God’s coming reign and the need to turn while there is time.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I will give orders to my two witnesses, and they will be prophets for a thousand, two hundred and sixty days, clothed with haircloth.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I will give to My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy days, a thousand, two hundred, sixty, arrayed with sackcloth;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I will give [power] to my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.

Context

After announcing the trampling of the holy city for forty-two months, the narrative introduces two divinely empowered prophets who minister for one thousand two hundred and sixty days—the same period in days. Their mission unfolds within the setting of pressure on the city and the exposure of outer space to the nations. The witnesses’ identity and role are then clarified by symbolic imagery in the next verse. Their protective authority and judgments will be described before the permitted attack by the beast, creating a dramatic arc from ministry to apparent defeat and then surprising vindication.

v.2And 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.

v.3This passage

v.4These are the two olive trees and the two candlesticks, standing before the Lord of the earth.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 37:34

    And Jacob rent his garments, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.

  • John 3:27

    John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven.

  • Daniel 12:7

    And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

  • Revelation 20:4

    And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

  • Deuteronomy 17:6

    At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

  • Acts 2:32

    This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we all are witnesses.

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