Zechariah 8:16-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 8:9-17

God, by the prophet, here gives further assurances of the mercy he had in store for Judah and Jerusalem. Here is line upon line for their comfort, as before there was for their conviction. These verses contain strong encouragements with reference to the difficulties they now laboured under. And we may observe, I. Who they were to whom these encouragements did belong?to those who, in obedience to the call of God by his prophets, applied in good earnest to the building of the temple (Zech. 8:9):... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:16

These are the things that ye shall do ,.... Which were duties incumbent on them, and which it became them to perform, under a sense of the favours bestowed on them, to show their gratitude to God, and that they might glorify him: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour ; not using deceit, prevarication, and lying, Ephesians 4:25 and it becomes every man under the Gospel dispensation, according to the gift he has received, to speak, publish, and declare the truth of the Gospel,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:17

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour ,.... See Gill on Zechariah 7:10 hatred without a cause was a governing vice under the second temple, and Jarchi says was the cause of the destruction of it; see John 15:25 , and love no false oath ; whereby the character and property of a fellow creature are hurt; nor any vain one, which the Jews were addicted to, Matthew 5:34 , for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord ; as being contrary to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:16

Speak ye every man the truth - See Zechariah 7:9 , Zechariah 7:10 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:16

Verse 16 Zechariah exhorts them here to true repentance, by showing that more things were to be hoped for than what they saw with their eyes; and at the same time he shows that it was not enough for them assiduously to build the city and the temple; but he requires other things, even that they should observe integrity and justice towards one another. We indeed know that the Jews were so given to their own ceremonies, that they thought that holiness existed in them: and this error Zechariah had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:17

Verse 17 He afterwards adds, And think not evil every one against his friend. Here the Prophet not only condemns open wrongs, but also the hidden purposes of evil. We hence learn, that the law was not only given to restrain men as it were by a bridle, and that it not only contains a rule of life as to outward duties, but that it also rules their hearts before God and angels. The law is indeed really spiritual; and extremely gross and foolish are they who think that they satisfy the law of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:1-23

The future glory of the Church. God speaks. Formerly stern rebuke; here sweet encouragement. Glowing picture of the good time coming. I. GOD 'S ABIDING LOVE TO HIS CHURCH . There are times when it would seem as if God had cast off his people. "Has God forgotten to be gracious?" Here is the answer. "I am jealous," etc. There is real, intense, and abiding attachment. Words of good cheer verified by facts. "I am returned," etc. II. GOD 'S GRACIOUS PURPOSE TO ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:9-17

§ 5. The people are exhorted to be of good cheer, for god will henceforth give them his blessing, which, however, was conditional on their obedience. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:9-17

Evidence of favour. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong," etc. In the beginning of these verses we have the opposite of that with which the previous verses concluded. There God confirmed his people in hoping for certain comparatively proximate blessings by assuring them of other and greater blessings which he designed afterwards to bestow. Here he confirms their hopes of what is more distant by pledging himself, as it were, to what is nearer. And this he does, we shall... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Zechariah 8:16

These are the things. To secure the fulfilment of the promise of good, they must do the will of God ( Zechariah 7:9 . etc.). Truth. This was to be observed in all conversation and transactions with their neighbours. St. Paul quotes this injunction ( Ephesians 4:25 ). Execute the judgment of truth and peace; literally, judge ye truth and the judgment of peace. So the Septuagint and Vulgate. Practise perfect equity in judgments, and so decide, according to truth and justice, as to... read more

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