Revelation 11:8

Authorized King James Version

And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#2
τὰ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#3
πτῶματα
G4430
dead bodies
a ruin, i.e., (specially), lifeless body (corpse, carrion)
#4
αὐτῶν
G846
their
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
#5
ἐπὶ
G1909
shall lie in
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
#6
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
πλατείας
G4113
the street
a wide "plat" or "place", i.e., open square
#8
πόλεως
G4172
city
a town (properly, with walls, of greater or less size)
#9
τῆς
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#10
μεγάλης
G3173
of the great
big (literally or figuratively, in a very wide application)
#11
ἥτις
G3748
which
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
#12
καλεῖται
G2564
is called
to "call" (properly, aloud, but used in a variety of applications, directly or otherwise)
#13
πνευματικῶς
G4153
spiritually
non-physically, i.e., divinely, figuratively
#14
Σόδομα
G4670
Sodom
sodoma (i.e., sedom), a place in palestine
#15
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#16
Αἴγυπτος
G125
Egypt
aegyptus, the land of the nile
#17
ὅπου
G3699
where
what(-ever) where, i.e., at whichever spot
#18
καὶ
G2532
And
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
#19
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#20
κύριος
G2962
Lord
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
#21
ἡμῶν
G2257
our
of (or from) us
#22
ἐσταυρώθη
G4717
was crucified
to impale on the cross; figuratively, to extinguish (subdue) passion or selfishness

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of Jewish apocalyptic literature using symbolic imagery to convey hope shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Revelation Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection