The preceding visions having come to an end, they are now confirmed by a public act which should show the glory of the future temple, the acceptance of the members of the theocracy, and the King and Priest who Was to come. Came unto me. This was probably on the morning after the night of visions, or as soon as he had divulged them to the people. read more
§ 11. A symbolical action—the crowning of the high priest. read more
The ministry of Messiah. "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying," etc. The series of striking visions which we have now been considering had a kind of "prologue" in Zechariah 1:1-6 . We seem to have the corresponding "epilogue" here. It turns on the fact of the arrival (probably about the same season, no special note of time being given as in Zechariah 7:1 ) of certain visitors at Jerusalem, with offerings for the temple, from a "far" country, viz. "Babylon" (see Zechariah... read more
Messiah the Prince. "Behold." I. THE COMING MAN OF THE AGES . "Branch." Lowliness, and yet dignity. The heathens fabled that the Titans were sons of heaven and earth. Here is what they vainly imagined. "Grew up." Natural development. Perfection of humanity. Long the cry was, "He cometh." We see his shadow in every sacrifice. Find his presence in every prophecy. Hear his footfall in every promise. He was the Hope of Israel, and the Desire of all nations. II. CHARGED ... read more
The matchless Man in history. "And the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Take of them of the Captivity, even of Heldai, of Tobijah, and of Jedaiah, which are come from Babylon, and come thou the same day." The crowning, the work, and the position of Joshua spoken of in these verses are obviously employed to symbolize some coming Man who would be matchless in all history. Concerning this matchless Man, we are here taught— I. THAT HE IS ONE WHOM HEAVEN COMMANDS THE ... read more
Take of them of the Captivity. The verb is in the infinitive for the imperative, "take thou from the Captivity;" what he is to take is noted in the next verse. "Those of the Captivity" are certain envoys sent by the Jews who still dwelt in Babylon ( Ezekiel 1:1 ; Ezekiel 3:11 ), bearing gifts for the temple. These messengers the prophet was to visit at the house of Josiah, their host. Heldai ; or, Cheldai, in Zechariah 6:14 "Helem" or "Chelem," "The Enduring One" (Keil); "The... read more
Silver and gold. That which had been brought from Babylon. However unwilling the Jews were to let the Samaritans take part in the good work, they were quite ready to receive contributions from their brethren in the dispersion, and likewise from heathen kings and princes (see Ezra 6:8 , etc.; Ezra 7:15 , etc.). Make crowns. The prophet was to get the crowns made (comp. Exodus 25:1-40 ; passim ). The plural may here be used intensively for "a noble crown," as in Job 31:36 ; or it... read more
Speak unto him, saying. The prophet is to explain to Joshua the meaning of this public act. Behold the Man whose name is The BRANCH ; literally, behold the man, BRANCH is his name (see note on Zechariah 3:8 ). The Targum has, "Behold the Man, Messiah is his name." It is plain that the term "Branch" or "Shoot" ( LXX ; ἀνατολή : Vulgate, Oriens ) could not be addressed to Joshua; indeed, the very form of the sentence, "his name," not "thy name," shows this. All who saw the... read more
Even he shall build. A forcible repetition of the preceding statement, laying stress on the Person, "He, and no one else, shall build." The clause is omitted by the Septuagint. He shall bear the glory. The word rendered "glory" is used to denote royal honours here, as in 1 Chronicles 29:25 ; Jeremiah 22:18 ; Daniel 11:21 . Messiah shall have regal majesty. Compare the many passages where the glory of Christ is spoken of; e.g. John 1:14 ; John 2:11 ; John 17:5 ; Luke 9:32 ; ... read more
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John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 6:15
Verse 15 The Prophet also states, that men would come from remote lands to contribute labor or wealth towards the building of the temple; for the word building may refer to either of these two things. Come then shall those from far. Before this time gifts had been presented by Gentile nations, but the temple was not built but by Solomon and his people. God then promises here something more, and that is, that helpers would assist in building the temple, who had been till then wholly aliens. It... read more