Devine Scripture

Revelation 11:8

What does Revelation 11:8 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 11:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 11:8 means

Their corpses lie in the street of the “great city,” called spiritually Sodom and Egypt—names that evoke moral corruption and oppressive bondage. It is also the place where their Lord was crucified, pointing to Jerusalem yet characterizing it in spiritual terms that fit any center of rebellion. The description shows that the world celebrates when truth-tellers are silenced and treats them with contempt by refusing burial. The city becomes a stage where the conflict between God and hardened humanity is displayed. By linking the witnesses’ fate to their Lord’s, the text hints that their path follows His pattern: shame before glory, death before vindication.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And their dead bodies lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And their dead bodies lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And their dead bodies will be in the open street of the great town, which in the spirit is named Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was put to death on the cross.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and their dead bodies <FI>are<Fi> upon the broad-place of the great city (that is called spiritually Sodom, and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified,)

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And their bodies shall lie in the streets of the great city which is called spiritually, Sodom and Egypt: where their Lord also was crucified.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and their body [shall be] on the street of the great city, which is called spiritually Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.

Context

After the beast kills the witnesses, the focus shifts to their humiliation in a symbolic city identified both historically and spiritually. This verse sets the geographical and theological scene for the public scorn that follows. The next verses will emphasize international attention, refusal to bury them, and global rejoicing over their demise. By recalling where their Lord suffered, the narrative prepares for a Christ-like reversal: after contempt comes resurrection and exaltation, which will in turn trigger fear, judgment, and a partial softening among the survivors.

v.7And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.

v.8This passage

v.9And from among the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations do men look upon their dead bodies three days and a half, and suffer not their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.

Cross references

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

  • Hebrews 6:6

    and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

  • Psalms 78:43

    How he set his signs in Egypt, And his wonders in the field of Zoan,

  • Exodus 3:7

    And Jehovah said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people that are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;

  • 2 Peter 2:6

    and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example unto those that should live ungodly;

  • Hebrews 13:12

    Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered without the gate.

  • Revelation 17:5

    and upon her forehead a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

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