The Two Witnesses in Revelation 11:3-14 Explained
Revelation 11:3-14 describes the ministry, death, and resurrection of two witnesses during a period of intense tribulation. The passage begins with God empowering these two witnesses to "prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth" [3]. This period of 1,260 days, or 42 months, is a recurring symbolic timeframe in Revelation, often associated with the trampling of the holy city by Gentiles and the persecution of the saints [6].
The identity of these two witnesses has been a subject of varied interpretation. The text itself states, "These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth" [1]. This imagery directly alludes to Zechariah 4:3, 12, where two anointed ones stand by the Lord of the whole earth [8, 10]. Some commentators suggest that the "two olive trees" and "two candlesticks" represent the Church, or its representatives, rather than the Church itself [10].
Many attempts have been made to identify the specific individuals represented by the two witnesses [7]. Moses and Elijah are frequently considered strong candidates because they appeared with Jesus at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3) and represent the Law and the Prophets [7]. Furthermore, the powers attributed to the two witnesses in Revelation 11:6—to stop the rain and bring down plagues—are reminiscent of the miracles performed by Elijah (1 Kings 17:1) and Moses (Exodus 7-11) [11]. Another suggestion is Enoch and Elijah, as neither experienced death in the traditional sense (Genesis 5:21-24; 2 Kings 2:11-12) [7]. Other possibilities include Peter and Paul, or a symbolic representation of the faithful remnant of God's people [7, 9]. Matthew Henry notes that while their number is small, "it is a sufficient number; for in the mouth of two witnesses every cause shall" be established [9].
The ministry of these witnesses is characterized by their prophetic proclamation, delivered in sackcloth, symbolizing mourning and repentance [3]. Their testimony is met with opposition, and they are eventually overcome and killed by "the beast that comes up from the abyss" [7]. Their bodies lie in the street of "the great city that is symbolically called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified" [7]. After three and a half days, "the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them" [4]. This resurrection is followed by their ascension into heaven in a cloud, witnessed by their enemies [7].
The narrative of the two witnesses concludes with a great earthquake, which destroys a tenth of the city and kills seven thousand people. The survivors are terrified and give glory to the God of heaven [7]. This event marks the end of the second woe, with the third woe quickly approaching [2, 5]. The entire section, Revelation 11:1-13, is seen by some as depicting the willful rejection of God’s continuing call for repentance, ultimately failing to silence His witnesses, leading to God's triumph [7]. The chapter then transitions to the sounding of the seventh trumpet and subsequent events [12].
Sources
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 11:4 (BSB) — These witnesses are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.”
- Revelation “The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly. -- Revelation 11:14”
- Revelation “I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” -- Revelation 11:3”
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 11:11 (BSB) — But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered the two witnesses, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell upon those who saw them.”
- Revelation of John “Revelation of John 11:14 (LEB) — The second woe has passed. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly!”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Revelation 11:2 cross-references: Numbers 14:34, Psalms 79:1, Isaiah 48:2, Isaiah 52:1, Lamentations 1:10, Ezekiel 40:17, Ezekiel 42:20, Daniel 7:19, Daniel 7:25, Daniel 8:10, Daniel 8:24, Daniel 12:7, Daniel 12:11, Matthew 4:5, Matthew 5:13, Matthew 27:53, Luke 21:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 3:1, Hebrews 10:29, Revelation 11:3, Revelation 11:11, Revelation 12:6, Revelation 13:1, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 22:19”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 11:1: 11:1-13 This section pictures the willful rejection of God’s continuing call for repentance. The many attempts to silence his witnesses ultimately fail, and God triumphs. • Many attempts have been made to identify the two witnesses of this chapter. Moses and Elijah, who appeared with Jesus at the transfiguration (Matt 17:3; Mark 9:4; Luke 9:30), are likely candidates (see Rev 11:6); they represent the law and the prophets. Others have suggested Enoch and Elijah because they did not die (see Gen 5:21-24; 2 Kgs 2:11-12). Other possibilities include Peter and Pau”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 11:3: I will give power--There is no "power" in the Greek, so that "give" must mean "give commission," or some such word. my two witnesses--Greek, "the two witnesses of me." The article implies that the two were well known at least to John. prophesy--preach under the inspiration of the Spirit, denouncing judgments against the apostate. They are described by symbol as "the two olive trees" and "the two candlesticks," or lamp-stands, "standing before the God of the earth." The reference is to Zac 4:3, Zac 4:12, where two individuals are meant, Joshua a”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 11:3: In this time of treading down, God has reserved to himself his faithful witnesses, who will not fail to attest the truth of his word and worship, and the excellency of his ways. Here observe, I. The number of these witnesses: it is but a small number and yet it is sufficient. 1. It is but small. Many will own and acknowledge Christ in times of prosperity who will desert and deny him in times of persecution; one witness, when the cause is upon trial, is worth many at other times. 2. It is a sufficient number; for in the mouth of two witnesses every cause shall ”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 11:4: standing before the God of the earth--A, B, C, Vulgate, Syriac, Coptic, and ANDREAS read "Lord" for "God": so Zac 4:14. Ministering to (Luk 1:19), and as in the sight of Him, who, though now so widely disowned on "earth," is its rightful King, and shall at last be openly recognized as such (Rev 11:15). The phrase alludes to Zac 4:10, Zac 4:14, "the two anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." The article "the" marks this allusion. They are "the two candlesticks," not that they are the Church, the one candlestick, but as its represe”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 11:6: 11:6 These two witnesses were given power to stop the rain and bring down plagues, as were Elijah (see 1 Kgs 17:1; 18:41-46) and Moses (see Exod 7:14-24; 8:1–11:10).”
- Revelation (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Revelation 11 (introduction): In this chapter we have an account, I. Of the measuring - reed given to the apostle, to take the dimensions of the temple (Rev 11:1, Rev 11:2). II. Of the two witnesses of God (Rev 11:3-13). III. Of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, and what followed upon it (Rev 11:14, etc.).”