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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 1:7-17

We not come to visions and revelations of the Lord; for in that way God chose to speak by Zechariah, to awaken the people's attention, and to engage their humble reverence of the word and their humble enquiries into it, and to fix it the more in their minds and memories. Most of the following visions seem designed for the comfort of the Jews, now newly returned out of captivity, and their encouragement to go on with the building of the temple. The scope of this vision (which is as an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 1:11

And they answered the Angel of the Lord, that stood among the myrtle trees, and said ,.... That is, the ministering angels, signified by the red horses, speckled, and white, replied to what the Angel of the Lord had said concerning them; or rather agreed to and confirmed his account of them; or else gave up the account of their tour through the earth, with their observations upon the state of it: We have walked to and fro through the earth ; according to their mission and commission: ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 1:11

All the earth sitteth still, and is at rest - There is general peace through the Persian empire, and other states connected with Judea; but the Jews are still in affliction; their city is not yet restored, nor their temple built. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 1:11

Verse 11 They said that the whole earth was then quiet, (19) that is, the countries bordering on Judea, or the oriental regions. Hence a greater confidence might be entertained by the Jews, for with the prayer of the angel is connected a complaint — “God of hosts, what is thy purpose?” that is, “Is it thy will that all others should enjoy quietness and peace, while enemies are continually hostile and troublesome to thy people? Is it right that thy Church should be ever miserably distressed,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 1:7-11

A vision of rest. "Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet," etc. Several points in this vision, as in many others, cannot certainly be explained. The nature and significance of the colours of the horses is one of these points. Another is as to the identity or otherwise of the "angel" of verse 9 with that of the "rider" of verse... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 1:7-17

§ 3. The first vision: the horsemen in the myrtle grove. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 1:7-17

The first vision: God's government of the world. "Upon the four and twentieth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Sebat, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, I saw by night, and behold a man riding upon a red horse," etc. About three months after the call of Zechariah to the prophetic office, he had no less than seven, or, as some count, eight visions in one night. And this night, we... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 1:8-13

The Church and Christ. The vision may suggest— I. THE BIDDEN RICHES OF THE CHURCH . "Myrtle in the bottom" symbolizes the Church in a low condition. Obscure, despised by the world; but fresh, fragrant, and beautiful in the sight of God. The object of increasing care. Grand future. II. THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH 'S HEAD . Christ supreme. All forces are under his control. The resources of heaven and earth are at his disposal. He is ever on the watch. He scans the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 1:11

They answered. Having said who they were, the angel directs them to tell of their doings. The angel of the Lord. The "man riding upon the red horse" ( Zechariah 1:8 ) is now called "the Angel of Jehovah." This term is usually held to denote a manifestation of the Logos, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, assuming an angelic form or imparting his immediate presence to the revealer of his will. Sitteth still, and is at rest. The world was lying in proud security. There was no sign of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 1:11

The wonder of indifference. "'At rest;' i.e. secure, proud, and licentious, as if there were no God in heaven" (Wordsworth). May be taken to illustrate a common state of mind as to religion. Indifference seems wonderful when we consider— I. THE VAST INTERESTS AT STAKE . What questions so deep and urgent as those that concern God and truth and immortality? II. THE BRIEF TIME FOR DECISION . Life is short. Delay, and youth is gone; delay, and manhood is past;... read more

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