“But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.”
But do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months — the outer court (aule, outer court of the temple) is excluded from measuring and is surrendered to the nations (ethnē), who will trample (pateo) the holy city for forty-two months (triton, a three-and-a-half-year period, compare Daniel 7:25, 12:7). The trampling suggests gentile dominion and persecution; the duration is limited, indicating divine control.
Church Fathers on Revelation 11:2
“The court which is within the temple leave out.” The space which is called the court is the empty altar within the walls: these being such as were not necessary, he commanded to be ejected from the Church. “It is given to be trodden down by the Gentiles.” That is, to the men of this world, that it may be trodden under foot by the nations, or with the nations. Then he repeats about the destruction and slaughter of the last time, and says:—
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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