These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

REVELATION 11:4KJV
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Revelation 11:4 (KJV)

What does Revelation 11:4 mean?

Revelation 11:4 describes God’s two witnesses through images of olive trees and lampstands. The images place the witnesses in God’s presence and connect their work to an earlier vision in the book of Zechariah.

After the witnesses are introduced in verse 3, the speaker calls them “the two olive trees” and “the two candlesticks.” For readers familiar with Zechariah 4, the images would recall a vision in which olive trees stand beside a lampstand. “Standing before the God of the earth” pictures the witnesses as attendants in God’s presence.

The Greek behind Revelation 11:4

  • “candlesticks” — λυχνίαι (lychniai): The word means lampstands, supports for lamps. Ancient lamps generally burned oil, so the image is not of modern candleholders.
  • “standing” — ἑστῶτες (hestōtes): The word carries the sense of being in a standing position. Here, standing before God pictures a place of attendance before a ruler.

Why Revelation 11:4 matters

  • The number two links the images directly to the witnesses in verse 3. John hears that the two witnesses “are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks.”
  • The image reaches back to Zechariah 4 without copying every detail. Zechariah describes one lampstand with two olive trees, while Revelation describes two lampstands as well as two trees.
  • “The God of the earth” gives the scene a wide setting. The witnesses stand before the God whose rule extends over the earth, not merely before a local ruler.

Where else these words appear

“candlesticks” Greek G3087 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
  • Revelation 1:13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.

“olive” Greek G1636 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:1 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
  • Mark 13:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,
  • Luke 22:39 And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

“before” Greek G1799 · used in 89 verses

  • Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
  • Acts 10:4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
  • Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

“two” Greek G1417 · used in 124 verses

  • Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
  • Mark 9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
  • John 4:43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee.