Revelation 11 11

Revelation 11:11 kjv

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.

Revelation 11:11 nkjv

Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.

Revelation 11:11 niv

But after the three and a half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.

Revelation 11:11 esv

But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.

Revelation 11:11 nlt

But after three and a half days, God breathed life into them, and they stood up! Terror struck all who were staring at them.

Revelation 11 11 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Gen 2:7And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.God is the source of all life.
Deut 32:39See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.God's absolute power over life and death.
1 Sam 2:6The Lord killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.God's sovereign control over life.
2 Ki 13:21...as soon as the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.Bones/dead body receiving life.
Psa 30:3O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.God delivers from death.
Psa 71:20Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.Divine quickening and resurrection.
Isa 26:19Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs...Prophecy of bodily resurrection.
Ezek 37:5-10Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live... So I prophesied as he commanded me...Valley of dry bones; spirit of life causing standing.
Dan 12:2And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.Future general resurrection.
Matt 27:52-53And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city...Resurrection of saints at Christ's death.
Lk 8:54-55And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway...Jesus raising the dead by restoring spirit.
Jn 5:21For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.God (Father & Son) gives life to the dead.
Jn 6:63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.The Spirit is the source of life.
Acts 2:24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.God's power to overcome death.
Acts 26:23That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.Christ's resurrection as the firstfruits.
Rom 8:11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies...Holy Spirit's power to give life.
1 Cor 15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.Christ as the assurance of resurrection.
1 Cor 15:52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible...Future resurrection at the last trumpet.
1 Thes 4:16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:Resurrection of believers at Christ's return.
Heb 11:19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.Faith in God's power to resurrect.
Rev 1:18I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.Christ's victory over death.
Lk 5:26And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day.Fear and awe as a response to divine power.
Rev 14:13And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.Blessedness of those who die in the Lord.
Rom 1:4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:Christ's resurrection demonstrates power.
Acts 9:40-41But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes...Apostlic power to raise the dead.

Revelation 11 verses

Revelation 11 11 Meaning

Revelation 11:11 describes the miraculous resurrection of God's two witnesses after they had been publicly killed and lay dead in the streets for three and a half days. This divine act is portrayed as an immediate, supernatural infusion of life from God, causing them to stand upright and instilling great fear in their enemies who witnessed it. It signifies God's absolute sovereignty over life and death, the vindication of His servants, and a dramatic reversal of apparent defeat.

Revelation 11 11 Context

Revelation 11:11 immediately follows the account of the two witnesses being killed by the beast from the bottomless pit (Rev 11:7). For three and a half days, their dead bodies lie in the street of the "great city," symbolically identified with Jerusalem where Christ was crucified. The peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations celebrate their demise, rejoicing over these prophets who had tormented them with their prophetic testimony and judgments. Gifts are exchanged, highlighting the widespread joy at the cessation of the witnesses' challenging message. This verse dramatically reverses that situation, showcasing God's undeniable power in the face of human and demonic triumph. It sets the stage for God's ultimate judgment on the persecutors, preceding the sounding of the seventh trumpet, which brings in the full revelation of God's kingdom. Historically, such public displays of executed enemies were intended to terrorize and exert dominance; here, God's reversal demonstrates His supreme authority over all earthly powers.

Revelation 11 11 Word analysis

  • And after three days and an half: This specific timeframe (three and a half days) mirrors the "three days and a half" of their death, linking their resurrection to the brief but total apparent triumph of evil, which ultimately proves futile against divine power. It symbolically echoes Christ's resurrection after three days. This period corresponds to Daniel's prophetic "time, times, and an half" (Dan 7:25, 12:7), or 1260 days (Rev 11:3), emphasizing a precise, divinely ordained period of tribulation.
  • the Spirit of life (Πνεῦμα ζωῆς - Pneuma zōēs):
    • Spirit (Πνεῦμα - Pneuma): Denotes breath, wind, or the Holy Spirit. Here, it refers to the very essence and power of life.
    • of life (ζωῆς - zōēs): The genitive "of life" specifies the nature of the Pneuma as that which quickens and animates. It highlights that the life comes supernaturally, directly from the divine source, contrasting with natural biological processes. It emphasizes dynamic, spiritual life, not mere physical animation. This term is deeply rooted in the Old Testament concept of God's "breath" (ruach) that imparts life, as seen in Gen 2:7 and Ezek 37.
  • from God (ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ - ek tou Theou):
    • from (ἐκ - ek): Implies origin or source. It underscores that this resurrection power does not come from the witnesses themselves, nor from any human agency or demonic force, but solely from God.
    • God (τοῦ Θεοῦ - tou Theou): Specifies the divine origin, emphasizing that the resurrection is an undeniable act of the Almighty, displaying His unique power. It is an affirmation of divine omnipotence and a direct intervention in the earthly sphere.
  • entered into them (εἰσῆλθεν εἰς αὐτούς - eisēlthen eis autous):
    • entered (εἰσῆλθεν - eisēlthen): Implies a definitive, purposeful entrance. It suggests an invasive and immediate infusion, not a gradual reanimation. This direct entry highlights the supernatural and undeniable nature of the event.
    • into them (εἰς αὐτούς - eis autous): The directness signifies the targeted action of God's life-giving Spirit upon the lifeless bodies, causing an instantaneous restoration of vital energy and consciousness.
  • and they stood upon their feet:
    • This is a vivid picture of full restoration, power, and readiness. It indicates not merely resuscitation but full physical and spiritual renewal, preparedness for God's further plans. The act of standing signifies strength, triumph over weakness, and vindication. It powerfully echoes the resurrection scene in Ezekiel 37:10 where the dry bones "stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army," indicating full restoration and readiness for service.
  • and great fear (φόβος μέγας - phobos megas):
    • great (μέγας - megas): Amplifies the intensity of the fear.
    • fear (φόβος - phobos): This is a profound and overwhelming terror or awe. It is the appropriate human response when faced with the supernatural and the display of divine power. This fear is not necessarily repentance, but rather a realization of God's absolute authority, an undeniable witness to His presence and action, leading to consternation among His enemies.
  • fell upon them which saw them:
    • The fear fell upon them, indicating an overpowering and unavoidable experience. It suggests an imposed, involuntary recognition of God's terrifying might. Those who had rejoiced are now gripped with terror, having seen firsthand that human triumph over God's anointed is temporary and ultimately impossible.

Words-group Analysis

  • "And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them": This phrase underlines God's precise timing and the ultimate divine origin of life and resurrection. It reveals that the period of human celebration over God's witnesses is strictly limited by God's plan, setting a boundary for the perceived victory of evil.
  • "they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them": This entire phrase encapsulates the dramatic reversal: from humiliation to vindication, and from exultant mockery by the world to terrified acknowledgment of divine power. It vividly demonstrates the irrefutable proof of God's omnipotence and righteous judgment.

Revelation 11 11 Bonus section

The instantaneous nature of the resurrection in Revelation 11:11, coupled with the immediate fear it produces, serves as a mini-preview of God's final, overwhelming triumph. It reminds us that no matter how pervasive evil or how complete suffering may seem, God holds the ultimate key to life and deliverance. This resurrection is not just about the two witnesses; it is a profound declaration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, a demonstration of His power to fulfill prophecy, and a foretaste of the future resurrection of all who believe. It underscores that martyrdom is never the final word for God's faithful. The terror gripping the onlookers is not necessarily repentance but rather an experience of the dreadful holiness and power of God, foreshadowing the great fear that will ultimately fall upon those who stand against Christ when He returns in glory.

Revelation 11 11 Commentary

Revelation 11:11 is a pivotal moment in the apocalyptic narrative, marking a sudden and decisive divine intervention. After a public display of power by the beast resulting in the death of the two witnesses, this verse illustrates God's unassailable authority over life and death. The "three days and an half" of their lying dead not only emphasize the brief nature of evil's apparent victory but also symbolically link their fate to Christ's resurrection. The "Spirit of life from God" highlights that only God can impart true, revivifying power, directly countering any claims of absolute authority by earthly or demonic forces.

Their "standing upon their feet" is a powerful image of full restoration, vindication, and readiness for divine service, echoing prophetic scenes like Ezekiel's dry bones vision. This is not merely reanimation but a divine act that demonstrates the power of resurrection as a foundational truth of God's character and plan. The response of "great fear" among those who witnessed the event underscores the overwhelming, undeniable nature of God's intervention. It's a testament to the fact that while God's servants may face tribulation and apparent defeat, ultimate victory and vindication rest solely with the sovereign Creator, inspiring terror in those who oppose His will and bringing glory to His name. It provides immense hope for believers, assuring them that God will never abandon His own, even in death, and that His timing is perfect for justice and restoration.