Revelation 11 2

Revelation 11:2 kjv

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.

Revelation 11:2 nkjv

But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

Revelation 11:2 niv

But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.

Revelation 11:2 esv

but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.

Revelation 11:2 nlt

But do not measure the outer courtyard, for it has been turned over to the nations. They will trample the holy city for 42 months.

Revelation 11 verses

Revelation 11 2 Meaning

Revelation 11:2 describes a significant exclusion from the measurement and preservation associated with God's temple and its worshipers. While the inner sanctuary and true worshipers are divinely protected and authenticated, the outer court and the holy city itself are explicitly handed over to be defiled and oppressed by the Gentiles for a symbolic period of forty-two months. This signifies a time of persecution and spiritual compromise for a visible form of God's people or earthly representation, contrasting with the inviolable remnant.

Revelation 11 2 Context

Revelation 11:2 appears as part of a pivotal interlude in the Book of Revelation, following the seventh trumpet and before the full unveiling of the last trumpet. Chapter 10 sets the stage with the mighty angel and John's consumption of the scroll, preparing him for further prophecy. Chapter 11 then presents the vision of measuring the temple and the ministry of the two witnesses. This verse directly follows a divine command to measure "the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship there," signifying protection and authentication of God's true people and true worship. Verse 2 immediately contrasts this preservation with the abandonment of the "court outside the temple" and the "holy city" to Gentile trampling. Historically, this chapter resonates with the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70 by the Romans, which would have been a significant event for John's original audience. It also ties into Old Testament prophecies about Jerusalem's suffering and restoration, while speaking broadly to the Church's experience of both divine preservation and outward persecution under the dominion of worldly powers, typically seen as gentile nations. It may also serve as a polemic against reliance on physical structures or carnal security instead of spiritual authenticity and divine protection for God's true temple (the Church).

Revelation 11 2 Word analysis

• But: (Greek: ἀλλά, alla) - Introduces a strong contrast or exception to the preceding command. Here, it clearly marks a distinction between what is measured/protected and what is not.
• the court: (Greek: τὴν αὐλὴν, tēn aulēn) - Refers to the outer court, the Court of the Gentiles in the Jerusalem Temple complex, distinct from the inner sanctuary. Symbolically represents those who are part of the broader external, visible community but perhaps lack genuine inward devotion or are distinct from the true core of God's people. Its exclusion from measurement signifies its vulnerability or lack of divine preservation in a specific way.
• outside: (Greek: ἔξωθεν, exōthen) - Emphasizes the physical and symbolic separation. This area is external to the sacred inner space, implying a more accessible, vulnerable, and perhaps less pure segment of religious life or the visible church.
• the temple: (Greek: τοῦ ναοῦ, tou naou) - Here refers specifically to the inner sanctuary, the sacred dwelling place. Used contextually from Rev 11:1.
• do not measure: (Greek: μὴ μετρήσῃς, mē metrēsēs) - A strong prohibition. Measurement in Scripture often signifies divine ownership, protection, restoration, or preparation for judgment. To "not measure" here means it is not under divine protection in the same way, thus abandoned to a different fate, often judgment or profanation.
• give: (Greek: ἐδόθη, edothē) - "It was given." This is a divine passive, implying that God Himself is permitting or authorizing this action, even though it involves the profanation of what is called "holy." It is not a random occurrence but part of God's sovereign plan.
• to the nations: (Greek: τοῖς ἔθνεσιν, tois ethnesin) - "The Gentiles." Refers to non-Israelite peoples, often in the Old Testament context synonymous with enemies of God's people or pagan oppressors. In Revelation, these are typically worldly, unbelieving powers that persecute God's Church.
• holy city: (Greek: πόλιν τὴν ἁγίαν, polin tēn hagian) - "The Holy City." In the immediate historical context, this would refer to Jerusalem, known as God's chosen city (e.g., Isa 52:1, Neh 11:1). Symbolically, it can represent the earthly manifestation of God's people or their dwelling, perhaps the visible church that exists in the world. Its holiness is in its association with God, but it can still be subject to outward defilement and opposition.
• tread underfoot: (Greek: πατήσουσιν, patēsousin) - "They will trample." This verb implies severe oppression, subjugation, humiliation, and desecration (e.g., Lk 21:24, Dan 8:13). It's a forceful act of contempt and conquest, suggesting both physical destruction and spiritual defilement.
• forty-two months: (Greek: μῆνας τεσσεράκοντα δύο, mēnas tesserakonta dyō) - A symbolic period, equivalent to 3.5 years (1260 days or "a time, times, and half a time"). This specific duration frequently appears in apocalyptic literature (e.g., Dan 7:25, 12:7; Rev 12:6, 12:14, 13:5) and represents a divinely appointed period of intense tribulation, persecution, and distress for God's people, after which God intervenes. It signifies a limited, predetermined time of the "Gentile" power.

Words-group Analysis:

• The court outside the temple: This specific demarcation highlights a crucial theological distinction. While the naos (inner sanctuary/spiritual essence) is preserved, the outer court—which in a literal Temple housed those considered less holy or even non-Jews—is exposed. This can symbolize a segment of the visible church, or its outward expression, that experiences tribulation and apparent defeat, in contrast to the inner spiritual core (the truly faithful measured and protected).
• Do not measure it, for it has been given: The act of not measuring, paired with "it has been given," signifies divine judgment or sovereign allowance of an external power's action. God hands over this visible part to His enemies, allowing suffering and desecration for a predetermined purpose, perhaps as discipline or a sifting process to purify the true people.
• The nations will tread underfoot the holy city: This phrase depicts profound subjugation and desecration. It points to a period when worldly, hostile powers have dominion over the very place or people called "holy." It directly links to Daniel's prophecies and Jesus' prediction of Jerusalem's fate, but in Revelation, it takes on a broader symbolic meaning, often referring to the oppression faced by the Church (the new spiritual Jerusalem) during a time of tribulation. The duration ensures this suffering is temporary and divinely limited.

Revelation 11 2 Bonus section

This verse is central to differing interpretations of Revelation's eschatology:

• Futurist views often see a literal rebuilt Temple in Jerusalem and a future literal trampling by nations before Christ's return, specifically focusing on the Tribulation period.
• Preterist views tend to connect this verse to the Roman siege and destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in AD 70, seeing the "42 months" as the lead-up or specific period of this historical event.
• Historicist views interpret it as long periods of Gentile domination over the visible Church or actual Jerusalem throughout Church history, sometimes associating the 42 months with specific historical epochs.
• Idealist/Symbolic views emphasize that the "temple" and "holy city" represent the Church's spiritual realities and its suffering through various periods of persecution, not necessarily tied to a single literal event or building, but reflecting the ongoing conflict between God's kingdom and worldly powers.

The precise identity of "the nations" can vary between a literal pagan Roman Empire, subsequent empires oppressing believers, or simply unbelieving worldly systems in general. The underlying theological point across all interpretations remains that God's true spiritual sanctuary (His elect) is preserved, even while His visible people or institutions face suffering and apparent defeat for a divinely limited time. This period of Gentile "trampling" is explicitly set against God's ultimate reign, offering a message of both realism about persecution and hope in God's sovereignty.

Revelation 11 2 Commentary

Revelation 11:2 presents a profound statement about divine sovereignty over both preservation and permissive judgment. The contrast between the measured (protected) inner temple and the unmeasured (abandoned) outer court and Holy City highlights God's selective preservation. The "inner temple" (11:1) typically symbolizes the true, spiritual Church—those genuine believers united in Christ, who are secure in God's eyes regardless of external circumstances. The "outer court" and "holy city" handed over to the Gentiles symbolize the visible, earthly manifestation of God's people or the broad realm of their influence. This realm, which may include nominal believers or even the physical land/city associated with God's people, is permitted to endure persecution and desecration by unbelieving "nations." The act of "trampling" is a biblical motif for humiliation and subjugation by enemies, but critically, it occurs for a fixed, divinely ordained period of "forty-two months." This precise duration reassures that the tribulation is finite and under God's control, serving His ultimate purposes—perhaps to refine His people or fulfill His plan of judgment before ultimate redemption.