Revelation 11:9

KJV

And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they {G991} of {G1537} the people {G2992} and {G2532} kindreds {G5443} and {G2532} tongues {G1100} and {G2532} nations {G1484} shall see {G991} their {G846} dead bodies {G4430} three {G5140} days {G2250} and {G2532} an half {G2255}, and {G2532} shall {G863} not {G3756} suffer {G863} their {G846} dead bodies {G4430} to be put {G5087} in {G1519} graves {G3418}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Some from the nations, tribes, languages and peoples see their bodies for three-and-a-half days and do not permit the corpses to be placed in a tomb.

Berean Standard Bible

For three and a half days all peoples and tribes and tongues and nations will view their bodies and will not permit them to be laid in a tomb.

American Standard Version

And from among the peoples and tribes and tongues and nations do men look upon their dead bodies three days and a half, and suffer not their dead bodies to be laid in a tomb.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 11:9 describes the global, hostile reaction to the death of God's two witnesses in the end times. Following their martyrdom by the beast, people from every tribe, language, and nation will gaze upon their unburied corpses for three and a half days, celebrating their demise and refusing them the dignity of a proper burial, an act of profound contempt and public desecration that underscores the world's intense opposition to divine truth.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of the [Two Witnesses](/revelation/11-3 "Revelation 11:3 - The Two Witnesses") in Revelation chapter 11. These mysterious figures, empowered by God, prophesy for 1,260 days (or 42 months), a period often understood as coinciding with a significant phase of tribulation. Their powerful ministry, marked by signs and plagues, is abruptly concluded when the [beast ascending from the bottomless pit](/revelation/11-7 "Revelation 11:7 - The Beast from the Abyss") makes war against them and kills them. Verse 9 details the immediate aftermath of their death, specifically the global public spectacle of their unburied bodies, serving as a stark contrast to their triumphant resurrection just a few verses later in [Revelation 11:11-12](/revelation/11-11-12 "Revelation 11:11-12 - The Resurrection and Ascension of the Witnesses").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman cultures, the proper burial of the dead was a deeply significant ritual, considered a sacred duty and a mark of respect for the deceased and their family. Denying burial was an extreme act of dishonor and contempt, often reserved for the most despised criminals or enemies, meant to humiliate them even in death and prevent their spirit from finding rest. Their bodies would be left exposed to the elements and scavengers, a public display of triumph over them. This act in [Revelation 11:9](/revelation/11-9 "Revelation 11:9 - The World's Reaction to the Witnesses' Death") would have conveyed to John's original audience the ultimate expression of hatred and defiance against God's messengers.
* **Key Themes:** [Revelation 11:9](/revelation/11-9 "Revelation 11:9 - The World's Reaction to the Witnesses' Death") powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Book of Revelation. Firstly, it highlights the **global scope of the spiritual conflict**, emphasizing that the opposition to God's truth is not localized but transcends all human divisions, as seen in the phrase "people and kindreds and tongues and nations." Secondly, it underscores the **intense animosity of the world toward God's witnesses**, portraying a profound hatred that culminates in public desecration and mockery. Thirdly, the "three days and an half" signifies the **temporary triumph of evil**, a brief period of apparent victory for the forces of darkness before God's swift and dramatic intervention, foreshadowing the ultimate vindication of His servants and the final defeat of His enemies, a theme echoed throughout the book, particularly in the [final victory of Christ](/revelation/19 "Revelation 19 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Rider on the White Horse").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tongues (Greek, _glōssa'_):** This word refers to the physical organ of the tongue, but by implication, it signifies a language, especially one naturally unacquired. In the context of Revelation, "tongues" consistently denotes distinct language groups, emphasizing the universal reach of events and messages to all linguistic communities across the earth.
* **nations (Greek, _éthnos'_):** Derived from a root suggesting "habit," this term refers to a race or tribe. Specifically, in the New Testament, it often denotes foreign, non-Jewish peoples, frequently implying pagan or Gentile populations. Its inclusion here signifies that the global audience observing the witnesses' bodies includes all non-Israelite peoples, underscoring the universal nature of the beast's dominion and the world's unified rejection of God's truth.
* **dead bodies (Greek, _ptōma'_):** This word, derived from a verb meaning "to fall," refers to a ruin or, specifically, a lifeless body, a corpse, or carrion. Its use here starkly emphasizes the physical state of the witnesses after their martyrdom, highlighting the gruesome reality of their death and the contemptuous manner in which their remains are treated.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations":** This comprehensive phrase emphasizes the universality of the audience. It signifies that the event of the witnesses' death and the subsequent desecration of their bodies will be witnessed and celebrated by every segment of humanity, transcending all ethnic, linguistic, and national boundaries, demonstrating a unified global opposition to God's messengers.
* **"shall see their dead bodies three days and an half":** This clause describes the public spectacle of the witnesses' corpses. The duration, "three days and an half," is highly symbolic, representing a divinely ordained, limited period of apparent triumph for evil, mirroring the 1,260 days (or 3.5 years) of the witnesses' prophecy and the tribulation period, but also hinting at a swift reversal. The public viewing underscores the world's gloating and mockery.
* **"and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves":** This final clause reveals the profound act of desecration. By refusing burial, the global populace expresses ultimate contempt and triumph over the witnesses. It is an act designed to dishonor them even in death, preventing any respectful remembrance and leaving their remains exposed to public shame and decay, a stark symbol of the world's open defiance against God and His servants.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **Literary Devices**. The phrase "people and kindreds and tongues and nations" is an example of **Merism** or **Synecdoche**, where a comprehensive whole is represented by listing its constituent parts, thereby emphasizing the truly global and universal nature of the event. This also functions as **Hyperbole**, exaggerating the scope to underscore the pervasive reach of the beast's influence and the world's unified hostility. The "three days and an half" is a clear instance of **Symbolism**, a precise yet short duration that signifies a limited period of evil's triumph, contrasting with the eternal reign of God. Finally, the act of refusing burial is deeply **Symbolic**, representing extreme dishonor, public humiliation, and the world's ultimate defiance against God's authority and His messengers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 11:9 profoundly illustrates the depth of the world's rebellion against God and His truth. The global celebration of the witnesses' death and the public desecration of their bodies reveal a pervasive, unified hatred for divine authority and those who faithfully proclaim it. This passage underscores the reality of spiritual warfare, where the forces of evil, empowered by the beast, achieve a temporary, but highly visible, victory over God's servants. Yet, even in this moment of apparent defeat, the precise duration of "three days and an half" subtly signals God's ultimate sovereignty and the predetermined, limited nature of evil's triumph, setting the stage for a dramatic divine intervention that will vindicate His witnesses and demonstrate His unchallengeable power.

* [Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation") - A contrasting image of a multitude from "all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" standing before the throne, worshipping God, highlighting the ultimate redemption of humanity despite global rebellion.
* [Revelation 13:7](/revelation/13-7 "Revelation 13:7 - The Beast's Authority Over All Nations") - Describes the beast's authority being given "over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations," reinforcing the global reach of its power and the universal nature of the opposition to God.
* [Matthew 24:9](/matthew/24-9 "Matthew 24:9 - Persecution of Believers") - Jesus warns His disciples that they "shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake," foreshadowing the global animosity faced by God's people, including the Two Witnesses.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 11:9, while describing a future prophetic event, offers profound insights for believers today. It serves as a stark reminder that faithfulness to God and His truth can evoke intense hostility from a world that often rejects divine authority. The global celebration of the witnesses' death underscores the pervasive nature of spiritual opposition, urging us to be prepared for potential rejection, mockery, and even persecution for our faith. However, the verse also subtly points to the limited nature of evil's triumph; the "three days and an half" signifies that God's enemies will only experience a temporary victory. This should instill in us a deep trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and His perfect timing, knowing that He is always in control, even when circumstances seem dire. Our call, then, is to maintain unwavering faithfulness, to continue bearing witness to Christ's truth, and to find strength in the assurance that our ultimate vindication and reward come from God alone, not from worldly approval.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the global opposition to the Two Witnesses challenge my understanding of what it means to be a faithful witness in a world often hostile to Christian truth?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to seek worldly approval or avoid conflict, rather than boldly proclaiming God's truth, even if it means facing rejection?**
* **How does the temporary nature of evil's triumph, symbolized by the "three days and an half," strengthen my faith and hope in God's ultimate victory?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "three days and an half" in this verse?**

Answer: The "three days and an half" (or 3.5 days) is a highly symbolic duration in biblical prophecy, particularly in the Book of Revelation and Daniel. It represents a precise, divinely appointed, and limited period of time during which evil appears to triumph. This specific duration is half of a "seven" (a number often signifying completeness or perfection in biblical numerology), suggesting an incomplete or truncated period of suffering or dominion for God's people. In the context of [Revelation 11](/revelation/11 "Revelation 11 - The Two Witnesses"), it directly contrasts with the 1,260 days (or 3.5 years) of the witnesses' prophecy, signifying a brief interlude of public desecration before their dramatic resurrection. Theologically, it assures believers that even when evil seems to prevail, its victory is always temporary and subject to God's sovereign timetable, ultimately leading to His decisive intervention and the vindication of His faithful servants.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [Revelation 11:9](/revelation/11-9 "Revelation 11:9 - The World's Reaction to the Witnesses' Death") describes the future fate of the Two Witnesses, their experience profoundly foreshadows and reflects the ultimate suffering and vindication of Jesus Christ. Just as the witnesses are publicly despised and their bodies left unburied, so too was Christ "despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Despised and Rejected")). His crucifixion was a public spectacle, a moment of apparent triumph for His enemies, where He was exposed to the scorn and mockery of the crowds, dying outside the city gates, a place of shame and dishonor ([Hebrews 13:12](/hebrews/13-12 "Hebrews 13:12 - Jesus Suffered Outside the Gate")). The world rejoiced in His death, believing they had silenced God's ultimate Witness. However, just as the witnesses' public desecration lasts for a mere "three days and an half" before their resurrection, Christ's death was followed by His glorious resurrection on the third day ([Luke 24:46](/luke/24-46 "Luke 24:46 - Christ's Suffering and Resurrection")), turning apparent defeat into ultimate victory. He is the Lamb "slain from the foundation of the world" ([Revelation 13:8](/revelation/13-8 "Revelation 13:8 - The Lamb Slain")), whose suffering and resurrection set the pattern for all who would faithfully bear witness to God, promising that even in death, vindication and eternal life await those who belong to Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 79:2

The dead bodies of thy servants have they given [to be] meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.

Psalms 79:3

Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and [there was] none to bury [them].

Revelation 17:15

And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Revelation 11:2

But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

Revelation 11:3

¶ And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Revelation 11:11

And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

Revelation 10:11

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