Revelation 11:6
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Original Language Analysis
οὗτοι
These
G3778
οὗτοι
These
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
1 of 34
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
ἔχουσιν
have
G2192
ἔχουσιν
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
2 of 34
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἐξουσίαν
power
G1849
ἐξουσίαν
power
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
3 of 34
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
οὐρανόν
heaven
G3772
οὐρανόν
heaven
Strong's:
G3772
Word #:
6 of 34
the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of god); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the gospel (christianity)
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
8 of 34
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἡμέραις
the days
G2250
ἡμέραις
the days
Strong's:
G2250
Word #:
12 of 34
day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of
αὐτὰ
of their
G846
αὐτὰ
of their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξουσίαν
power
G1849
ἐξουσίαν
power
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
17 of 34
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
ἔχουσιν
have
G2192
ἔχουσιν
have
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
18 of 34
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἐπὶ
over
G1909
ἐπὶ
over
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
19 of 34
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
στρέφειν
to turn
G4762
στρέφειν
to turn
Strong's:
G4762
Word #:
22 of 34
to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)
αὐτὰ
of their
G846
αὐτὰ
of their
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
23 of 34
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
24 of 34
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
αἷμα
blood
G129
αἷμα
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
25 of 34
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
26 of 34
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 34
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γῆν
the earth
G1093
γῆν
the earth
Strong's:
G1093
Word #:
29 of 34
soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe (including the occupants in each application)
πληγῇ
plagues
G4127
πληγῇ
plagues
Strong's:
G4127
Word #:
31 of 34
a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity
Cross References
Luke 4:25But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;1 Kings 17:1And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.1 Samuel 4:8Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness.
Historical Context
Moses and Elijah appeared with Christ at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3), representing Law and Prophets testifying to Him. First-century Jewish expectation anticipated their return before Messiah. This vision asserts the church continues their prophetic function—testifying to Christ and pronouncing judgment on rejection. The plagues recall Egypt's judgment, warning of similar consequences for gospel rejection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the church today continue the prophetic ministry of declaring both God's invitation and warning?
- What does the combination of Moses and Elijah's powers teach about the unity of Law and Prophets in testifying to Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The witnesses' powers parallel Moses (turning water to blood, Exodus 7:19) and Elijah (shutting heaven from rain, 1 Kings 17:1), identifying them as prophet-figures representing the church's testimony. Power to 'smite the earth with all plagues' demonstrates their authority in declaring God's judgments. Reformed theology sees the church as prophetic witness, proclaiming both salvation and judgment. The accumulation of these powers emphasizes the witnesses' complete authority during their testimony period. Their ministry combines Law (Moses) and Prophets (Elijah), pointing to Christ's fulfillment of both.