Rev 11:1 | RWP | e4.org | A reed ( καλαμος ). Old word for a growing reed ( ) which grew in immense brakes in the Jordan valley, a writer's reed ( ), a measuring-rod (here, .; ; ). Like a rod ( ομοιος ραβδω ). See ; for ραβδος . And one said ( λεγων ). "Saying" (present active masculine participle of λεγω ) is all that the Greek has. The participle implies εδωκεν (he gave), not εδοθη , a harsh construction seen in ; , etc. Rise and measure ( εγειρε κα μετρησον ). Present active imperative of εγειρω (intransitive, exclamatory use as in ) and first aorist active imperative of μετρεω . In . the prophet measures the temple and that passage is probably in mind here. But modern scholars do not know how to interpret this interlude ( ) before the seventh trumpet ( ). Some (Wellhausen) take it to be a scrap from the Zealot party before the destruction of Jerusalem, which event Christ also foretold ( ; ; ) and which was also attributed to Stephen ( ). Charles denies any possible literal interpretation and takes the language in a wholly eschatological sense. There are three points in the interlude, however understood: the chastisement of Jerusalem or Israel (verses , ), the mission of the two witnesses ( ), the rescue of the remnant ( ). There is a heavenly sanctuary ( ; ; , etc.), but here ναος is on earth and yet not the actual temple in Jerusalem (unless so interpreted). Perhaps here it is the spiritual ( ; ; .; ; .). For altar ( θυσιαστηριον ) see . Perhaps measuring as applied to "them that worship therein" ( τους προσκυνουντας εν αυτω ) implies a word like numbering, with an allusion to the 144,000 in chapter 7 (a zeugma).

‏ Revelation of John 11:1

A reed ( καλαμος ). Old word for a growing reed (Mt 11:7) which grew in immense brakes in the Jordan valley, a writer's reed (3Jo 1:7), a measuring-rod (here, 21:15f.; Eze 40:3-6; 42:16-19).

Like a rod ( ομοιος ραβδω ). See 2:27; Mr 6:8 for ραβδος.

And one said ( λεγων ). "Saying" (present active masculine participle of λεγω ) is all that the Greek has. The participle implies εδωκεν (he gave), not εδοθη, a harsh construction seen in Ge 22:20; 38:24, etc.

Rise and measure ( εγειρε κα μετρησον ). Present active imperative of εγειρω (intransitive, exclamatory use as in Mr 2:11) and first aorist active imperative of μετρεω. In Eze 42:2ff. the prophet measures the temple and that passage is probably in mind here. But modern scholars do not know how to interpret this interlude (11:1-13) before the seventh trumpet (11:15). Some (Wellhausen) take it to be a scrap from the Zealot party before the destruction of Jerusalem, which event Christ also foretold (Mr 13:2; Mt 24:2; Lu 21:6) and which was also attributed to Stephen (Ac 6:14). Charles denies any possible literal interpretation and takes the language in a wholly eschatological sense. There are three points in the interlude, however understood: the chastisement of Jerusalem or Israel (verses 1, 2), the mission of the two witnesses (3-12), the rescue of the remnant (13). There is a heavenly sanctuary (7:15; 11:19; 14:15, etc.), but here ναος is on earth and yet not the actual temple in Jerusalem (unless so interpreted). Perhaps here it is the spiritual (3:12; 2Th 2:4; 1Co 3:16f.; 2Co 6:16; Eph 2:19ff.). For altar ( θυσιαστηριον ) see 8:3. Perhaps measuring as applied to "them that worship therein" ( τους προσκυνουντας εν αυτω ) implies a word like numbering, with an allusion to the 144,000 in chapter 7 (a zeugma).