What Does Revelation 11:3 Mean in the King James?
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Here, testimony is a received power that speaks openly while grief is still worn on the body.
THE MEANING
The verse presents witness as something entrusted: these voices receive power to speak rather than manufacturing it themselves. They prophesy through a long, measured span while sackcloth keeps grief visible beside their speech. In the reader’s present, sorrow does not by itself cancel a voice’s capacity to testify.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that grief makes truthful witness impossible: here, the witnesses speak while clothed in mourning.
THE ROOT
μάρτυσίν
martysin
GROWS FROM
μαρτυρ-
martyr-
The Greek word family for witness and testimony.
“witnesses” in this verse is martysin. The word family joins the witness, the testimony, and the act of testifying, making these figures more than observers: they are voices bearing a message. English “martyr” descends from μάρτυς (martys, witness), preserving the connection between testimony and bearing witness at great cost.
ALSO GROWS
martyria: testimony
μαρτυρία
The witnesses’ speech is testimony made public.
martyreō: to testify, bear witness
μαρτυρέω
This verb names the act these witnesses carry out by prophesying.
δώσω
dōsō
GROWS FROM
δίδω-
didō-
To give, grant, or place something in another’s hands.
“give power” in this verse is dōsō. The verse presents their capacity as received: the speaker says, “I will give” to the witnesses. The power in the KJV is therefore something granted to them, not a force they generate on their own.
ALSO GROWS
dosis: giving, gift
δόσις
It keeps the focus on what is given to the witnesses.
doma: gift
δόμα
It echoes the verse’s picture of authority as something bestowed.
προφητεύσουσιν
prophēteusousin
GROWS FROM
προφητ-
prophēt-
Prophetic speech: speaking as a prophet.
“prophesy” in this verse is prophēteusousin. The word family keeps the prophet, the act of prophesying, and prophecy together. These witnesses are not merely signs to look at; their work is spoken proclamation, even as their sackcloth makes grief visible.
ALSO GROWS
prophētēs: prophet
προφήτης
It names the speaker whose role is expressed by their prophesying.
prophēteia: prophecy, prophetic speech
προφητεία
It names the message or utterance that the witnesses speak.
THE PATTERN
Public testimony is established and recognized through more than one witness.
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.THE THREAD
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,Revelation 1:5 uses μάρτυς (martys, witness) for Jesus as “the faithful witness.” The shared Greek word connects the two witnesses’ public speech with a testimony that Revelation also names as part of Jesus’ character.
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