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Rev_11:3. κ . δώσω τοῖς δυσὶν μάρτυσίν μου . The object of δώσω follows here, not in the form of the infin.,[2820] but is described, according to the Hebrew way, in the succeeding clause, καὶ προφητ . Formally and materially incorrect are the additions to δώσω , “constancy and wisdom,”[2821] “the holy city,”[2822] which are expressly rejected already by Vitr. Unnecessarily, although in fact not unsuitably, De Wette supplies “direction and power.”
The art. τοῖς allows us to think only of two definite witnesses, otherwise known already, who, as the entire description until Rev_11:12 establishes, are personal individuals, but not “allegories of potencies.”[2823] The witnesses are meant[2824] to be witnesses of Christ ( μάρτ . μου ),[2825] which accordingly is understood in general of itself, because, as all true ΠΡΟΦΗΤΕΊΑ proceeds from Christ,[2826] so also is it actually directed to Christ;[2827] but here it is especially applicable, because the witnesses come forth as preachers of repentance during an essentially Messianic visitation of judgment, and, besides, have to suffer from the same hostility as that by which the Lord himself is brought to the cross, Rev_11:8. But from this it does not follow[2828] that Christ himself is to be regarded as speaking;[2829] but the heavenly voice[2830] speaks only in Christ’s name.
ἡμέρας χιλίας διακοσίας ἑξήκοντα . The specification of the forty-two months, Rev_11:2, after the days, shows that daily, during this whole time, the prophetic speech of the two witnesses is heard.
περιβ -g0-. σάκκους -g0-. They are thus, above all things, preachers of repentance; for the penitential garb,[2831] which they themselves have adopted,[2832] puts before the eyes of the hearers what the prophetic testimony demands.
[2820] As Rev_6:4, Rev_7:2.
[2821] N. de Lyra, C. a Lap.
[2822] Beza.
[2823] Ebrard, who will in no way concede that they are symbols of individuals.
[2824] Ewald, De Wette, etc.
[2825] Cf. Rev_11:8 : ὁ κύριος αὐτων .
[2826] Cf. Rev_19:10.
[2827] Cf. Rev_10:7.
[2828] Beng., Hengstenb., Ebrard.
[2829] Cf., on the other hand, the ὁ κύρ . αὐτῶν (Rev_11:8).
[2830] Cf. Rev_22:7.
[2831] Jer_4:8; Jon_3:5; Mat_11:21.
[2832] Cf. Mat_3:4.