John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Then said I, Whither goest thou ? etc.] As it showed great freedom and boldness in the prophet to put such a question to the man with the measuring reed, it was great condescension in him to return him an answer, as follows: and he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem ; not literally understood, which was not yet thoroughly built; but the Gospel church, often so called; (see Hebrews 12:22) and this measuring of it denotes the conformity of it to the rule of God’s word; a profession of the true doctrines of it, and an observance of the ordinances of it, as delivered in it; and an agreement of the walk, life, and conversation of its members with it: to see what [is] the breadth thereof, and what [is] the length thereof ; the length of the New Jerusalem is as large as the breadth; its length, breadth, and height, are equal, ( Revelation 21:16).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - The Son of David, even the Man Christ Jesus, whom the prophet sees with a measuring line in his hand, is the Master-Builder of his church. God notices the extent of his church, and will take care that whateve number of guests are brought to the wedding-supper, there shall be room. This vision means well to Jerusalem. The walls of a city, as the defend it, so they straiten its inhabitants; but Jerusalem shall be extended as freely as if it had no walls at all, yet shall be as saf as if it had the strongest walls. In the church of God there yet in room for other multitudes, more than man can number. None shall be refused who trust in Christ; and He never shuts out from heaven on true member of the church on earth. God will be a Wall of fire roun them, which can neither be broken through nor undermined, nor can it be assailed without danger to those who attack. This vision was to have its full accomplishment in the gospel church, which is extended by admitting the Gentiles into it; and which has the Son of God for it Prince and Protector; especially in the glorious times yet to come.
Original Hebrew ואמר559 אנה575 אתה859 הלך1980 ויאמר559 אלי413 למד4058 את853 ירושׁלם3389 לראות7200 כמה4100 רחבה7341 וכמה4100 ארכה׃753
