Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 8:18-23

These verses contain two precious promises, for the further encouragement of those pious Jews that were hearty in building the temple. I. That a happy period should be put to their fasts, and there should be no more occasion for them, but they should be converted into thanksgiving days, Zech. 8:19. This is a direct answer to the enquiry concerning their fasts, Zech. 7:3. Those of them that fasted in hypocrisy had their doom in the foregoing chapter, but those that in sincerity humbled... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:19

Thus saith the Lord of hosts ,.... What follows is a full answer to the question in Zechariah 7:3 , The fast of the fourth month ; the month Tammuz, which answers to June: this fast was kept on the ninth day of the month, on account of the city of Jerusalem being broken up on that day F15 T. Bab. Roshhashanah, fol. 18. 2. , as it is said, 2 Kings 25:3 though Kimchi says this was on the seventeenth day of that month, as also says the Misna F16 Taanith, c. 4. sect. 7. ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:20

Thus saith the Lord of hosts, It shall yet come to pass ,.... This is another thing that shall certainly be accomplished: that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities ; in the Gentile world; they shall come and hear the word, believe in Christ, and join together in a Gospel church state; as they did at Antioch, Thessalonica, Corinth, and many other places: Ben Melech says this shall be in the days of the Messiah; and so it has been in the days of the true Messiah... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:19

The fast of the fourth month - To commemorate the taking of Jerusalem; 2 Kings 25:3 ; Jeremiah 39:2 ; Jeremiah 52:6 , Jeremiah 52:7 . The fast of the fifth - In memory of the ruin of the temple, 2 Kings 25:8 ; Jeremiah 52:12 , Jeremiah 52:13 . The fast of the seventh - For the murder of Gedaliah, Jeremiah 41:1-17. The fast of the tenth - In commemoration of the siege of Jerusalem, which began on the tenth day of the tenth month; 2 Kings 25:1 ; Jeremiah 52:4 ; ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:20

There shall come people - Similar promises to those in Isaiah 2:3 ; and in Micah 4:1 , Micah 4:2 . Many Gentiles, as well as Jews, will then be found devoting themselves to the Lord. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:19

Verse 19 He confirms the same truth, that such would be the restoration of the Church that all the memory of their sorrows would be obliterated. We have already said, that some fasts were observed by the Jews after the destruction of their city. Before two only were mentioned, but now the Prophet names four. In the fourth month the city was taken, and in the fifth the temple was destroyed and burnt down; in the seventh was Gedaliah slain, who had remained with the residue of the people who had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:20

Verse 20 The Prophet here extends his discourse still farther; for he promises not only the complete restoration of his chosen people, but also the propagation of the Church; for God, he says, will gather a Church for himself from many and remote nations, and unite many nations in one body. And this ought to have availed especially to animate the Jews, as they were thus taught that the temple was built, not only that God might be worshipped by one nation, but by all nations. Moreover, as before... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:1-23

The future glory of the Church. God speaks. Formerly stern rebuke; here sweet encouragement. Glowing picture of the good time coming. I. GOD 'S ABIDING LOVE TO HIS CHURCH . There are times when it would seem as if God had cast off his people. "Has God forgotten to be gracious?" Here is the answer. "I am jealous," etc. There is real, intense, and abiding attachment. Words of good cheer verified by facts. "I am returned," etc. II. GOD 'S GRACIOUS PURPOSE TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:16-23

A universal revival of genuine religion. "These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour," etc. The whole of this paragraph may be taken as setting forth a universal revival of genuine religion; and, looking at it in this light, we have here two things: the essential prerequisites; and the signal manifestations of a universal revival of genuine religion. I. THE ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITES . We discover in these verses four prerequisites or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:18-23

§ 6. Here follows the direct answer to the question originally proposed. The fasts should be turned into joyful festivals, former calamities being forgotten. Then the change extending its influence, the heathen shall worship the God of Israel, and esteem it an honour to be received into fellowship with the Jewish nation. read more

Group of Brands