Revelation 11:9

“And they of the people, and kindreds, and tongues, and nations, etc.] These are either the enemies of the witnesses, who consisted of the people, kindred, tongues, and nations, out from among whom they were chosen, redeemed, and called; and before or against whom John, representing these witnesses, prophesied; and over whom the Romish antichrist sits and rules, (<660509>Revelation 5:9 10:11 13:7 17:15); or else their friends, either real or pretended; since it is not said “the people”, nor “all the people, kindred, tongues, and nations”, as it is when the antichristian party are spoken of; and seeing “they that dwell upon the earth”, in (<661110>Revelation 11:10), are mentioned as a distinct…”

“they--rather, "(some) of the peoples." people--Greek, "peoples." kindreds--Greek, "tribes"; all save the elect (whence it is not said, The peoples . . . but [some] of the peoples . . . , or, some of the peoples . . . may refer to those of the nations . . ., who at the time shall hold possession of Palestine and Jerusalem). shall see--So Vulgate, Syriac, and Coptic. But A, B, C, and ANDREAS, the present, "see," or rather (Greek, "blepousin"), "look upon." The prophetic present. dead bodies--So Vulgate, Syriac, and ANDREAS. But A, B, C, and Coptic, singular, as in Rev 11:8, "dead body." Three and a half days answer to the three and a half years (see on Rev 11:2-3), the half of seven, the full…”

“And they of the people - Some of the people; a part of the people - ἐκ τῶν λαῶν ek tōn laōn. The language is such as would be employed to describe a scene where a considerable portion of a company of people should be referred to, without intending to include all. The essential idea is, that there would be an assemblage of different classes of people to whom their carcasses would be exposed, and that they would come and look upon them. We should expect to find the fulfillment of this in some place where, from any cause, a variety of people should be assembled - as in some capital, or some commercial city, to which they would be naturally attracted. Shall see their dead bodies - That is,…”

“Three days and a half - So exactly are the times set down in this prophecy. If we suppose this time began in the evening, and ended in the morning, and included (which is no way impossible) Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the weekly festival of the Turkish people, the Jewish tribes, and the Christian tongues; then all these together, with the heathen nations, would have full leisure to gaze upon and rejoice over them. Revelation 11:10”

“11:9 Leaving people’s bodies out for public display was a way to dishonor them after their death (see 1 Sam 31:10; the usual Roman custom was to leave bodies hanging after crucifixion). • peoples, tribes, languages, and nations: All the peoples of the world are represented in this exhibition.”

“the people: Rev 10:11, Rev 13:7, Rev 17:15 three: Rev 11:2, Rev 11:3, Rev 11:11 and shall not: Rev 5:8, Rev 19:17, Rev 19:18; Psa 79:2, Psa 79:3; Ecc 6:3; Isa 33:1; Jer 7:33; Mat 7:2 Revelation 11:10”