Zechariah 11:16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

God, having shown the misery of this people in their being justly abandoned by the good Shepherd, here shows their further misery in being shamefully abused by a foolish shepherd. The prophet is himself to personate and represent this pretended shepherd (Zech. 11:15): Take unto thee the instruments or accoutrements of a foolish shepherd, that are no way fit for the business, such a shepherd's coat, and bag, and staff, as a foolish shepherd would appear in; for such a shepherd shall be set over... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 11:16

For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land ,.... Not in the land of Judea, but in the Roman empire; and so not Herod, nor King Agrippa, as Kimchi; nor Antiochus Epiphanes, as others; nor those wicked priests and princes, who governed after the times of Zechariah; nor the Scribes and Pharisees in Christ's times, though they are often called fools by him, and were truly foolish shepherds; nor even Titus Vespasian, who destroyed the city and temple; nor Bar Cozba, who set up for the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 11:16

I will raise up a shepherd in the land - Some wicked king; and Newcome supposes Hoshea may be meant. See 2 Kings 17:1 , 2 Kings 17:2 , and to such an abominable sovereign the prophecy may well apply. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 11:16

Verse 16 Behold, he says, I will set a shepherd in the land. God had now, as we have said, renounced the office of a shepherd; but he afterwards set over them wolves, and thieves, and robbers, instead of shepherds, that is, when he executed his dreadful judgment on the Jews: and he shows at the same time what sort of shepherds they would be who in future should possess power over them. They were to be such as would not look after what had been cut off. Some consider the word הנכחדות,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

§ 10. In retribution for their rejection of the good Shepherd the people are given over to a foolish shepherd, who shall destroy them, but shall himself, in turn, perish miserably. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

A picture of antichrist. "And the Lord said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd," etc. After the experience of the good Shepherd comes the description of the bad; after the right "instruments," the wrong ones; after the Christ, the anti christ , the person usurping the true Christ's position, that is to say, and so opposing his work. See ( Zechariah 11:17 ) the "idol shepherd"—the shepherd making himself the object of worship to his flock; and comp. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

The evil shepherd. I. CHARACTER . Vain. Selfish. Hypocritical Greedy of gain and popularity. Worthless for real good. Permitted, but not approved. II. OFFENCE . 1 . Coldness. No "pity." His heart is not in his work. 2 . Neglect . Takes no pains to seek out the poor and needy. Does not "visit." 3 . Unfaithfulness, No warnings. False teaching. Making gain of godliness. God's ideal of the shepherd lost. God's benign purposes in the ministry of grace frustrated. Souls... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

Fraudulent shepherds of the people. "And the Lord said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye:... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:16

I will raise up a shepherd in the land. God explains the reason of the symbolical character which he directed the prophet to assume. He was going to allow the people to be chastised by an instrument whom he would permit to work his will upon them. As this evil shepherd was to arise to punish them for their rejection of Messiah, he must represent some person or power that existed subsequent to Christ's death. Many consider that he symbolizes the Romans; but these people could not be deemed to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 11:16

I will raise up - God supplies the strength or wisdom which people abuse to sin. He, in His Providence, disposeth the circumstances, of which the ambitious avail themselves. antichrist, whom the Jews look for, will be as much an instrument of God for the perfecting the elect, as the Chaldees Habakkuk 1:6 or the Assyrians Amos 6:14 whom God raised up, for the chastisement of His former people, or the Medes against Babylon Isaiah 13:17.Which shall not visit them that be cut off - Zechariah uses... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 11:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 11:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 11:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:15-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 11:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 11:16

Group of Brands