Zechariah 13:9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 13:7-9

Here is a prophecy, I. Of the sufferings of Christ, of him who was to be pierced, and was to be the fountain opened. Awake, O sword! against my Shepherd, Zech. 13:7. These are the words of God the Father, giving order and commission to the sword of his justice to awake against his Son, when he had voluntarily made his soul an offering for sin; for it pleased the Lord to bruise him and put him to grief; and he was stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted, Isa. 53:4, 10. Observe, 1. How he calls... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 13:9

And I will bring the third part through the fire ,.... Into tribulation, as the Targum explains it; or into great distresses, comparable to fire, as Kimchi observes; this is the hour of temptation that will be in the Philadelphian church state, Revelation 3:10 . Daniel's time of trouble, such as there never was since there was a nation, Daniel 12:1 and the time of the slaying of the witnesses, Revelation 11:7 , and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 13:9

I will bring the third part through the fire - The Christian Church shall endure a great fight of afflictions, by which they shall be refined - not consumed. They shall call on my name - In this way shall they offer all their prayers and supplications to God. I will say, It is my people - The Church that I have chosen in the place of the Jews who have filled up the measure of their iniquity. And they shall say, The Lord is my God - And thus communion shall be established between... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 13:9

Verse 9 Zechariah proceeds further here, that when God shall cut off two parts of the people, he will yet save the third for this end — that it might be proved by various kinds of trials, and be made to bear many afflictions. With regard to the two parts, the Lord did not afflict them in order to turn them to repentance, but resolved wholly to destroy them. The third part then is reserved for salvation; and yet it is necessary even for them to be cleansed through many afflictions. Very useful... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 13:7-9

§ 4. For the smiting of the good Shepherd Israel is punished, passes through much tribulation, by which it is refined, and in the end (though reduced to a mere remnant) is saved. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 13:7-9

A wonderful sentence. "Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow," etc. The prophet here seems again to "hark back," as at the openings of Zechariah 9:1-17 . and 11. (where see remarks and references), from the "glory" that was to "follow" to the "sufferings" that were to precede. At any rate, we have the highest authority ( Matthew 26:31 , Matthew 26:56 ) for understanding this passage of the "sufferings" and death of our Lord himself. This being so,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 13:7-9

God's government of the world. "Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts' smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 13:9

Through the fire. This third part, like its Master, passes through much tribulation, and is thereby refined and purified (comp. Psalms 66:10 ; Isaiah 48:10 ; Jeremiah 9:7 ; Daniel 12:10 ; Malachi 3:3 ; 1 Peter 1:6 , 1 Peter 1:7 ). Call on my Name. In their distress they shall turn in faith to Jehovah, as the covenant God, a very present Help in trouble ( Isaiah 65:24 ). Thus is represented God's dealing with his Church in every age. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Zechariah 13:9

I will bring the third part through the fire - Such is always God’s ways. “Thou hast proved us, O God; Thou hast tried us, like as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the snare, Thou laidest trouble upon our loins: we went through fire and water, and Thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place” Psalms 66:9-11. “I have refined thee, but not with silver, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” Isaiah 48:10; and, “Through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God” Acts... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Zechariah 13:7-9

Zechariah 13:7-9 . Awake, O sword, against my shepherd Here “the prophet goes back to the great subject of prophecy, the Messiah, after having foretold some events posterior to his appearance; and he then proceeds to other events subsequent to that grand epocha in the history of the Jews, and of mankind; some near it, and some remote.” Newcome. That the sufferings and death of Christ are here predicted, is certain from Christ’s having applied this prophecy to himself, a few hours before he... read more

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