12:1 ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…’

Does this mean that the redeemed in heaven observe us here on earth? Some think so (with varying degrees of clarity and conviction, Donald Guthrie, EBC).  It is noted that the imagery is that of the amphitheatre, and so it would make sense to understand these ‘witnesses’ be the spectators in the grandstand.  Even if this interpretation were correct, the text gives little encouragement to the kind of popular sentimentalism (“Grandma is looking down on us”) that operates in the absence of gospel faith.

But it is doubtful whether the text can be pushed this far:-

The language is figurative, and we should not seek to establish doctrines from the details or incidentals of figures of speech.  Barnes:

‘It cannot be fairly inferred from this that he means to say that all those ancient worthies were actually looking at the conduct of Christians, and saw their conflicts. It is a figurative representation, such as is common, and means that we ought to act as if they were in sight, and cheered us on. How far the spirits of the just who are departed from this world are permitted to behold what is done on earth—if at all—is not revealed in the Scriptures.’

The word translated ‘witness’ (martys) normally means ‘one who testifies’, and it has been used several times in this sense in the previous chapter.  (1 Tim 6:12 is one of the few places in the NT where it probably carries the meaning of ‘spectator’.  See also Heb 10:28).

There is little support to be found elsewhere in Scripture for the idea of departed saints as spectators of the living. As Lenski says,

‘The Scriptures teach that they behold the heavenly glories and say nothing about their beholding and watching earthly events.’

They are, indeed, viewed as ‘asleep’ so far as contact with this life is concerned, 1 Thess 4:13.

So,

‘it is not so much they who look at us as we who look to them – for encouragement.’ (Bruce).

Or, in the words of Moffat, it is

‘what we see in them, not what they see in us, that is the writer’s main point’.

Allen:

‘The overall context…favors the meaning to be that their lives have borne witness to their faith.’

Hagner:

‘Witnesses here does not mean observers of the present conduct of Christians but rather those who testify or give evidence of the victorious life of faith. They show that it is possible to live by faith. Motivated by the preceding catalogue of examples, the readers are themselves to live the life of faith.’

Vos:

‘Heb 12:1 does not necessarily represent the Old Testament saints as “witnesses” of our race of faith in the sense of spectators in the literal sense, but perhaps in the figurative sense, that we ought to feel, having in memory their example, as if the ages of the past and their historic figures were looking down upon us (Lk 16:29; Acts 8:9; 13:6 ff; 19:13 ff).’ (in ISBE)