Revelation 11:1 Meaning and Explanation
“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →John is handed a measuring reed and told to measure the temple, the altar, and the worshipers, marking out what belongs to God.
What Does Revelation 11:1 Mean?
After eating the little scroll in the previous chapter, John is given a new task. A reed shaped like a measuring rod is placed in his hand, and the angelic voice commands him to rise and measure the temple of God, its altar, and those who worship there. To measure something in Scripture is often to claim it, to set it apart and guard it as one's own.
God does not merely observe His people; He measures them, counting them as His treasured possession. The temple, the altar, and the worshipers are marked out for protection and preservation even as judgment unfolds around them. For every believer this is quiet assurance: the Lord knows those who are His, and He keeps careful watch over the place where they meet Him in worship and seek atonement at the altar.
Revelation 11:1 in the Original Language
naos (ναός), 'temple' -- the inner sanctuary where God dwells, not the whole temple complex.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 11:1
What does Revelation 11:1 mean?
John is handed a measuring reed and told to measure the temple, the altar, and the worshipers, marking out what belongs to God.