Revelation 11:8
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The "great city" isn't just a geographical location, but a symbolic representation of a place deeply opposed to God, so wicked it's compared to both Sodom (for its immorality) and Egypt (for its oppressive tyranny). The fact that their "Lord was crucified" there highlights that the same anti-God spirit that killed Jesus is alive and well, now attacking His followers.
and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the two prophetic witnesses have completed their testimony, they are killed by a beast rising from the abyss, and their bodies lie unburied in the street of a great symbolic city. This city is identified with ancient Sodom for its immorality and Egypt for its oppressive spiritual tyranny, serving as a place where Christ himself was also metaphorically "crucified" through the persecution of his followers. The world rejoices over the silencing of God's witnesses, celebrating their demise as a victory for evil.
Imagine your most important message, delivered with all your heart, being silenced and then treated with utter disrespect. That's the picture painted here.
The verse describes the 'dead bodies' of the two witnesses lying in the 'street' of the great city. This isn't just about physical death; it's a powerful symbol.
Public Shame and Disgrace
In ancient times, leaving a body unburied was the ultimate sign of contempt and dishonor. It meant being denied the dignity of a proper burial and left exposed to the elements and scavengers.
Silenced but Not Forgotten
This imagery highlights how the world treats God's faithful messengers when it can no longer stand their message. Their voices are silenced, their ministries are publicly disgraced, and their very existence is treated as something vile and worthless. Yet, even in this state, they remain exposed, a silent testament to the power they once held.
The city where this happens isn't just any place. It's described with names that reveal its true, wicked character.
The text calls this place the 'great city' and then identifies it by three symbolic names: Sodom, Egypt, and the place where their Lord was crucified.
Sodom: Immorality and Wickedness
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Sodom is infamous for its extreme immorality and wickedness (Genesis 13:13; 18:20-21). Calling the city 'spiritually' Sodom means it shares these characteristics – rampant sin, corruption, and rebellion against God's standards.
Egypt: Oppression and Bondage
Egypt represents tyranny, oppression, and the refusal to let God's people go (Exodus 1-15). Spiritually, this city embodies a system that enslaves people through its corrupt ideologies, oppressive systems, or false religion.
Where the Lord Was Crucified: Rejection of Christ
This is the most chilling descriptor. Whether it literally refers to Jerusalem or symbolically to any place that rejects and crucifies Christ's followers, it signifies a deep-seated hatred for God and His representatives. It's a place that embodies the same spirit that put Jesus to death.
These names are not random; they paint a picture of a city that is the epitome of evil, a spiritual enemy of God and His people.
When God's messengers are silenced and disgraced, how does the corrupt world respond? With celebration.
The immediate context in Revelation 11:10 reveals the reaction of the inhabitants of this 'great city' to the death of the two witnesses:
A Celebration of Wickedness
Instead of mourning or showing respect, the people of the earth rejoice and make merry. They 'send gifts to one another' – a sign of great festivity.
The Tormentors Tormented No More
Their joy stems from the cessation of the witnesses' ministry. For 1260 days, these two prophets had 'tormented' them with their message of truth and warning. Now that they are silenced, the wicked feel liberated and celebrate their temporary 'victory.'
This reaction underscores the deep enmity between God's truth and the fallen world. The world despises the messengers of God and rejoices when their influence is removed, seeing it as a triumph of their own corrupt ways.
Understand the original words
polis · Greek Noun
A prominent, often vast, and corrupt urban center that opposes God and is characterized by idolatry, pride, and rebellion.
Sodom · Hebrew Proper Noun
Refers to a place synonymous with extreme immorality, wickedness, and divine judgment.
Mitsrayim · Hebrew Proper Noun
Symbolically associated with slavery, oppression, and hostility toward God's people.
stauroō · Greek Verb
The death of Jesus on the cross, the atoning sacrifice that provides salvation but is often rejected by the world.
The verse powerfully blends historical and symbolic locations. While Jesus was literally crucified in Jerusalem, the 'great city' described here is a symbolic representation of a place embodying extreme wickedness (Sodom), oppressive cruelty (Egypt), and a renewed rejection of Christ, suggesting a future or ongoing center of opposition to God's people.
c. 30 AD
Crucifixion of Jesus
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem under the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, fulfilling prophecies and marking a pivotal moment in salvation history.
c. 70 AD
Destruction of Jerusalem
The Roman army destroys Jerusalem and the Second Temple, a catastrophic event for the Jewish people and a sign of judgment.
c. 1st-2nd Century AD
Early Roman Persecutions
The Roman Empire begins a period of sporadic but often brutal persecution against Christians, viewing them as a threat to Roman authority and pagan gods.
c. 110 AD— this verse
City Symbolically Called Sodom and Egypt
The spiritual character of the 'great city' is described. It is likened to Sodom for its rampant immorality and Egypt for its oppressive tyranny against God's people.
c. 313 AD
Edict of Milan
Emperor Constantine issues the Edict of Milan, granting religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire and effectively ending widespread state-sponsored persecution of Christians.
c. 4th-5th Century AD
Rise of the Papacy
The Bishop of Rome (the Pope) gains increasing authority, leading to the development of the Roman Catholic Church and its significant influence over Western Europe.
c. 6th-7th Century AD
Emergence of Antichristian Power
Scholars identify this period with the rise of the power referred to as 'antichrist,' which would wage war against God's witnesses.
This passage describes a similar fate for the leaders of Judah, left as corpses in the street as a sign of God's judgment. It highlights the theme of public disgrace and judgment for those who oppose God's people.
Ezekiel 37:1-14This vision of dry bones coming to life parallels the resurrection of the two witnesses, emphasizing God's power to restore His seemingly defeated servants and bring them back to life and influence.
Galatians 3:10This verse speaks of the curse that falls upon those who try to live by the law rather than by faith, connecting to the 'Sodom and Egypt' imagery which represents sinfulness and bondage. It reflects the idea that the city's spiritual state is one of rebellion against God.
Hebrews 6:6This passage speaks of those who 'crucify the Son of God on their own account.' It provides a conceptual parallel to the idea in Revelation that the great city is a place where Christ is metaphorically 'crucified' again through the persecution of His followers.
Zechariah 1:4This verse warns against turning away from God's words and prophets, which is a theme echoed in Revelation. The 'great city' represents a place that has rejected God's messengers, leading to judgment and their bodies being left exposed.
barnesRevelation 11:8: "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."
And their dead bodies shall lie in the street - Prof. Stuart, "Shall be in the street." The words "shall lie" are supplied by the translators, but not improperly. The literal rendering would be, "and their corpses upon the street of the great city"; and the meaning is, that there would be a state of things in regard to them which wou…
clarkeRevelation 11:8: "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."
The great city - Some say Rome, which may be spiritually called Sodom for its abominations, Egypt for its tyrannous cruelty, and the place where our Lord was crucified, because of its persecution of the members of Christ; but Jerusalem itself may be intended. All these things I must leave to others.
The "great city" isn't just a geographical location, but a symbolic representation of a place deeply opposed to God, so wicked it's compared to both Sodom (for its immorality) and Egypt (for its oppressive tyranny). The fact that their "Lord was crucified" there highlights that the same anti-God spirit that killed Jesus is alive and well, now attacking His followers.
After the two prophetic witnesses have completed their testimony, they are killed by a beast rising from the abyss, and their bodies lie unburied in the street of a great symbolic city. This city is identified with ancient Sodom for its immorality and Egypt for its oppressive spiritual tyranny, serving as a place where Christ himself was also metaphorically "crucified" through the persecution of his followers. The world rejoices over the silencing of God's witnesses, celebrating their demise as a victory for evil.
After the two prophetic witnesses have completed their testimony, they are killed by a beast rising from the abyss, and their bodies lie unburied in the street of a great symbolic city. This city is identified with ancient Sodom for its immorality and Egypt for its oppressive spiritual tyranny, serving as a place where Christ himself was also metaphorically "crucified" through the persecution of his followers. The world rejoices over the silencing of God's witnesses, celebrating their demise as a victory for evil.
"and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified." — The "great city" isn't just a geographical location, but a symbolic representation of a place deeply opposed to God, so wicked it's compared to both Sodom (for its immorality) and Egypt (for its oppr…
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Last reviewed October 2026
