Zechariah 8:20-22

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 8:20

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:21

And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another ,.... Which shows their concern for the spiritual welfare of each other, their zeal for the honour and glory of God, and their readiness to attend divine worship: saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord ; for pardoning, justifying, and sanctifying grace which shows their sense of need of these things, and that they are only to be had of the Lord; and that their case required haste, and would admit of no delay: and to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:22

Yea, many people, and strong nations ,.... Or, "mighty kingdoms", as the Targum renders it; even such have embraced the Gospel, and professed the Christian religion; of which there has been abundant proof since the downfall of Paganism under Constantine: shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem ; that is, shall attend the public worship of God in the church: and to pray before the Lord ; join in public prayer, and other ordinances of the Gospel. This phrase, which is used... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:21

I will go also - This is the answer of the person invited. It is a good work. We must have God for our friend. We cannot expect this unless we seek him: and as we know not what an hour may bring forth, let us go speedily. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:22

And strong nations - This may refer to the conversion of the Mohammedan tribes; especially to those in the vicinity of Palestine. Perhaps even the Egyptians, inhabitants of Arabia Petraea, of Syria, etc. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:21

Verse 21 It follows, Come shall the inhabitants of one to one, that is, the inhabitants of one city to another; saying, going let us go, etc. He means by these words, that there will be a mutual consent among all nations, so that they will stimulate one another, and thus unite together their exertions. We here see that the Prophet’s object was to encourage the Jews to entertain good hope, and thus to cause them to persevere, so that they might not doubt but that success would attend their work... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:22

Verse 22 But we must enquire also why he says, that the nations would come to seek God at Jerusalem, and there to call on him. The Jews foolishly imagine that God cannot be otherwise worshipped than by offering sacrifices still in the temple. But the Prophet had something very different in view, that the light of truth would arise from that city, which would diffuse itself far and wide: and this prophecy ought to be connected with that of Isaiah, “A law shall go forth from Sion, and the word... read more

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