The Meaning of Revelation 10:11 Explained

Revelation 10:11

KJV: And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

YLT: and he saith to me, 'It behoveth thee again to prophesy about peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings -- many.'

Darby: And it was said to me, Thou must prophesy again as to peoples and nations and tongues and many kings.

ASV: And they say unto me, Thou must prophesy again over many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  he said  unto me,  Thou  must  prophesy  again  before  many  peoples,  and  nations,  and  tongues,  and  kings. 

What does Revelation 10:11 Mean?

Verse Meaning

"They" may refer to God or Jesus Christ ( Revelation 10:4; Revelation 10:8) and the strong angel ( Revelation 10:9). Many interpreters, however, believe this is a third person plural of indefinite reference that expresses reverentially the divine prompting that John experienced (cf. Revelation 12:6; Revelation 13:16; Revelation 16:15). [1] "They" told John that he must (Gr. dei) prophesy again, as he had been doing (cf. Jeremiah 1:10; Ezekiel 4:7). They wanted him to communicate the new revelation contained in the little scroll that he had consumed. The new prophecies concerned many different peoples, nations, language groups, and kings (cf. Revelation 5:9). The specific mention of kings reflects God"s sovereignty and anticipates the judgments in Revelation 16:14; Revelation 17:10; and Revelation 17:12.
This renewed commission stresses that what follows would be more burdensome than what John had prophesied so far.

Context Summary

Revelation 10:1-11 - The Angel With The Little Book
If one of God's angels is so strong and glorious, what must the Lord of angels be! From the splendor of His retinue, we may estimate the wealth of the Prince. How exactly does this description of the little book suit the word of the Cross, that is, the message of the gospel! Things are spoken to the saints, which, as Paul says, no tongue can utter. They are sealed to the unbelieving but opened to the children of God. Notice that magnificent description of the ever-living God, the Creator, the Unfolder of the mystery of His dealings, Revelation 10:6-7. See also 1 Corinthians 2:12.
The gospel is full of sweetness and delight in its first conception. The sense of peace with God, the consciousness of pardoned sin and acceptance in the be-loved, are like the music of heaven or the dew of paradise. But the cross cuts deep into the self-life, as we carry the sentence of death in ourselves. We learn the necessity of being crucified with Christ, if we would enter into His resurrection joys; and so the Word of God, which is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrates lower and lower, dividing soul and spirit, the joints and marrow. Our Lord never concealed this from those who sought to be enrolled as His followers; but there is blessedness in the bitterness, as springs of fresh water arising amid the brine of the sea. [source]

Chapter Summary: Revelation 10

1  A mighty strong angel appears with a book open in his hand
6  He swears by him who lives forever, that there shall be no more time
9  John is commanded to take and eat the book

Greek Commentary for Revelation 10:11

They say [λεγουσιν]
Present active of vivid dramatic action and the indefinite statement in the plural as in Revelation 13:16; Revelation 16:15. It is possible that the allusion is to the heavenly voice (Revelation 10:4, Revelation 10:8) and to the angel (Revelation 10:9). [source]
Thou must prophesy again [δει σε παλιν προπητευσαι]
Not a new commission (Revelation 1:19), though now renewed. C.f. Ezekiel 4:7; Ezekiel 6:2; Jeremiah 1:10. The παλιν — palin (again) points to what has preceded and also to what is to come in Revelation 11:15. Here it is predictive prophecy In the case, in regard to as in John 12:16 (with γραπω — graphō), not in the presence of (επι — epi with genitive, Mark 13:9) nor against (επι — epi with the accusative, Luke 22:53). For this list of peoples see Revelation 5:9, occurring seven times in the Apocalypse. [source]
Over [επι]
In the case, in regard to as in John 12:16 (with γραπω — graphō), not in the presence of For this list of peoples see Revelation 5:9, occurring seven times in the Apocalypse. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Revelation 10:11

John 12:16 Understood not [ουκ εγνωσαν]
Second aorist active indicative of γινωσκω — ginōskō Another comment by John concerning the failure of the disciples to know what was happening (cf. John 2:22; John 7:39). At the first Adverbial accusative, as in John 10:40; John 19:39. Was glorified First aorist passive indicative of δοχαζω — doxazō to glorify, used of his death already in John 7:39 and by Jesus himself of his death, resurrection, and ascension in John 12:23; John 13:31. Then remembered they First aorist passive indicative of μιμνησκω — mimnēskō It was easier to understand then and they had the Holy Spirit to help them (John 16:13-15). Were written of him Periphrastic past perfect passive of γραπω — graphō with neuter plural participle agreeing with ταυτα — tauta (these things) and singular verb, though the plural ησαν — ēsan could have been used. Note the threefold repetition of ταυτα — tauta in this verse, “clumsy” Bernard calls it, but making for clarity. The use of επ αυτωι — ep' autōi for “of him” rather than περι αυτου — peri autou is unusual, but occurs in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 22:16. They had done First aorist active indicative of ποιεω — poieō simply, “they did.” [source]
Revelation 14:6 The everlasting Gospel [εὐαγγέλιον αἰώνιον]
No article. Hence Rev., an eternal Gospel. Milligan thinks this is to be understood in the same sense as prophesying (Revelation 10:11). Αἰώνιον includes more than mere duration in time. It is applied to that of which time is not a measure. As applied to the Gospel it marks its likeness to Him whose being is not bounded by time. [source]
Revelation 11:10 Rejoice [χαιρουσιν]
Present active indicative of χαιρω — chairō them Locative (or dative) case with επι — epi as in Revelation 10:11.Make merry (ευπραινονται — euphrainontai). Present middle indicative of ευπραινω — euphrainō old verb (ευ πρην — euδωρα πεμπσουσιν αλληλοις — phrēn jolly mind), as in Luke 15:32; Revelation 12:12; Revelation 18:20. Jubilant jollification over the cessation of the activity of the two prophets.They shall send gifts to one another Future active of αλληλοις — pempō with dative εβασανισαν — allēlois Just as we see it done in Esther 9:19, Esther 9:22; Nehemiah 8:10, Nehemiah 8:12.Tormented (βασανιζω — ebasanisan). First aorist active indicative of οτι — basanizō for which see Revelation 9:5. This is the reason (hoti) of the fiendish glee of Jew and Gentile, who no longer will have to endure the prophecies (Revelation 11:3.) and dread miracles (Revelation 11:5.) of these two prophets. “Such a sense of relief is perhaps not seldom felt today by bad men when a preacher of righteousness or a signal example of goodness is removed” (Swete). [source]
Revelation 12:6 Where [οπουεκει]
Hebrew redundancy (where - there) as in Revelation 3:8; Revelation 8:9, Revelation 8:9; Revelation 13:8, Revelation 13:12; Revelation 17:9; Revelation 20:8.Prepared (ετοιμαζω — hētoimasmenon). Perfect passive predicate participle of τοπος — hetoimazō for which verb see Matthew 20:23; Revelation 8:6; Revelation 9:7, Revelation 9:15; Revelation 16:12; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2, and for its use with απο του τεου — topos John 14:2. and for the kind of fellowship meant by it (Psalm 31:21; 2 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 3:3; 1 John 1:3).Of God “From (by) God,” marking the source as God (Revelation 9:18; James 1:13). This anticipatory symbolism is repeated in Revelation 12:13.That there they may nourish her (ινα — hina ekei trephōsin autēn). Purpose clause with τρεπουσιν — hina and the present for continued action: active subjunctive according to A P though C reads τρεπεται — trephousin present active indicative, as is possible also in Revelation 13:17 and certainly so in 1 John 5:20 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 984), a solecism in late vernacular Greek. The plural is indefinite “they” as in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 11:9. One MSS. has trephetai (is nourished). The stereotyped phrase occurs here, as in Revelation 11:2., for the length of the dragon‘s power, repeated in Revelation 12:14 in more general terms and again in Revelation 13:5. [source]
Revelation 12:6 Of God [ινα εκει τρεπωσιν αυτην]
“From (by) God,” marking the source as God (Revelation 9:18; James 1:13). This anticipatory symbolism is repeated in Revelation 12:13.That there they may nourish her (ινα — hina ekei trephōsin autēn). Purpose clause with τρεπουσιν — hina and the present for continued action: active subjunctive according to A P though C reads τρεπεται — trephousin present active indicative, as is possible also in Revelation 13:17 and certainly so in 1 John 5:20 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 984), a solecism in late vernacular Greek. The plural is indefinite “they” as in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 11:9. One MSS. has trephetai (is nourished). The stereotyped phrase occurs here, as in Revelation 11:2., for the length of the dragon‘s power, repeated in Revelation 12:14 in more general terms and again in Revelation 13:5. [source]
Revelation 12:6 That there they may nourish her [ινα]
Purpose clause with τρεπουσιν — hina and the present for continued action: active subjunctive according to A P though C reads τρεπεται — trephousin present active indicative, as is possible also in Revelation 13:17 and certainly so in 1 John 5:20 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 984), a solecism in late vernacular Greek. The plural is indefinite “they” as in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 11:9. One MSS. has trephetai (is nourished). The stereotyped phrase occurs here, as in Revelation 11:2., for the length of the dragon‘s power, repeated in Revelation 12:14 in more general terms and again in Revelation 13:5. [source]
Revelation 22:16 For the churches [επι ταις εκκλησιαις]
For this use of επι — epi see Revelation 10:11; John 12:16. It is not just for the seven churches (Revelation 1:4), but for all the churches in the world then and now. [source]
Revelation 13:16 That there be given them [ινα δωσιν αυτοις]
Same use of ινα — hina after ποιεω — poieō as in Revelation 13:12, Revelation 13:15, only here with indefinite plural δωσιν — dōsin (second aorist active subjunctive), “that they give themselves,” as in Revelation 10:11; Revelation 12:6; Revelation 16:15.A mark (χαραγμα — charagma). Old word from χαρασσω — charassō to engrave, in Acts 17:29 of idolatrous images, but in Rev (Revelation 13:16, Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11; Revelation 16:2; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4) of the brand of the beast on the right hand or on the forehead or on both. Deissmann (Bible Studies, pp. 240ff.) shows that in the papyri official business documents often have the name and image of the emperor, with the date as the official stamp or seal and with χαραγμα — charagma as the name of this seal. Animals and slaves were often branded with the owner‘s name, as Paul (Galatians 6:17) bore the stigmata of Christ. Ptolemy Philadelphus compelled some Alexandrian Jews to receive the mark of Dionysus as his devotees (3 Macc. 3:29). The servants of God receive on their foreheads the stamp of the divine seal (Revelation 7:3). Charles is certain that John gets his metaphor from the τεπιλλιν — tephillin (phylacteries) which the Jew wore on his left hand and on his forehead. At any rate, this “mark of the beast” was necessary for life and all social and business relations. On the right hand, that is in plain sight.Upon their forehead Accusative with επι — epi though genitive just before with χειρος — cheiros (hand). See note on Revelation 7:3 and note on Revelation 9:4 (genitive επι των μετωπων — epi tōn metōpōn). Only in the Apocalypse in N.T. [source]
Revelation 22:16 Have sent [επεμπσα]
First aorist active indicative of πεμπω — pempō used here in the same sense as αποστειλας — aposteilas in Revelation 1:1 as his personal messenger. It is the Jesus of history here speaking, who is also the Christ of theology and the Lamb of God.For the churches (επι ταις εκκλησιαις — epi tais ekklēsiais). For this use of επι — epi see Revelation 10:11; John 12:16. It is not just for the seven churches (Revelation 1:4), but for all the churches in the world then and now.I am the root and the offspring of David See Revelation 5:5 for “the root of David,” to which John now adds το γενος — to genos in the sense of “offspring” (Acts 17:28.), not of family or race (Acts 4:6; Acts 7:13). Cf. Matthew 22:42-45.The bright, the morning star (ο αστηρ ο λαμπρος ο πρωινος — ho astēr ho lampros ho prōinos). The Davidic King is called a star in Numbers 24:17; Luke 1:78. This “day-star” (πωσπορος — phōsphoros) is interpreted as Christ (2 Peter 1:19). In Revelation 2:28 the phrase “the morning star” occurs in Christ‘s words, which is here interpreted. Christ is the Light that was coming into the world (John 1:9; John 8:12). [source]

What do the individual words in Revelation 10:11 mean?

And they say to me It is necessary for you again to prophesy concerning peoples nations tongues kings many
Καὶ λέγουσίν μοι Δεῖ σε πάλιν προφητεῦσαι ἐπὶ λαοῖς ἔθνεσιν γλώσσαις βασιλεῦσιν πολλοῖς

λέγουσίν  they  say 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
μοι  to  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
Δεῖ  It  is  necessary 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: δεῖ  
Sense: it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper.
σε  for  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
πάλιν  again 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πάλιν  
Sense: anew, again.
προφητεῦσαι  to  prophesy 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Infinitive Active
Root: προφητεύω  
Sense: to prophesy, to be a prophet, speak forth by divine inspirations, to predict.
ἐπὶ  concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
λαοῖς  peoples 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: λαός  
Sense: a people, people group, tribe, nation, all those who are of the same stock and language.
ἔθνεσιν  nations 
Parse: Noun, Dative Neuter Plural
Root: ἔθνος  
Sense: a multitude (whether of men or of beasts) associated or living together.
γλώσσαις  tongues 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: γλῶσσα  
Sense: the tongue, a member of the body, an organ of speech. 2 a tongue.
βασιλεῦσιν  kings 
Parse: Noun, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: βασιλεύς  
Sense: leader of the people, prince, commander, lord of the land, king.
πολλοῖς  many 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: πολύς  
Sense: many, much, large.