But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.
Read it in contextAn End to Idolatry
Start reading at Zechariah 13:1 (Zechariah 13:1 to Zechariah 13:6).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The closing oracles move through mourning, cleansing, conflict, and the LORD's kingship; detailed fulfillments must be argued rather than assumed.
13:1In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.
13:2And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
13:3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
13:4And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:
13:5But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.
13:6And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Zechariah son of Berechiah, son of Iddo, is the named prophet and traditional author. The composition of the later portions is debated. Biblical references: Zechariah 1:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Zechariah 12:1–14:21): Judah, Jerusalem, the house of David, and the nations are addressed or portrayed in the prophetic account of conflict, cleansing, and the LORD's reign. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The restored community of Judah and Jerusalem, with messages for its leaders and visions extending beyond that immediate community. Biblical references: Zechariah 1:3; Zechariah 4:9; Zechariah 7:5. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? An End to Idolatry. Read Zechariah 13:1 through Zechariah 13:6 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The closing oracles move through mourning, cleansing, conflict, and the LORD's kingship; detailed fulfillments must be argued rather than assumed. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The opening dates messages to Darius' reign; later oracles are not all introduced with the same level of dating. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The returned community, Jerusalem, the temple, and symbolic visionary scenes are central, with wider nations and conflicts in view. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in An End to Idolatry (Zechariah 13:1 to Zechariah 13:6).
Start reading at Zechariah 13:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The Gospels explicitly connect the king riding on an ass with Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and cite other passages in the passion accounts. Additional identifications should still be marked as interpretation. See Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:4, Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Join worship with truth, mercy, and justice. Begin interpretation of a vision with its supplied explanation and avoid treating speculation about present events as the words of the prophecy. interpretation
Cited: Zechariah 13:1, Zechariah 13:6, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:4, Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31
Who wrote it, and how we know
ZechariahNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD to Zechariah. Zechariah 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Zechariah.
What is debatedSome scholars propose a second author for chapters 9 through 14.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Zechariah 13
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Zechariah's dated opening belongs to the post-exilic setting under Darius. The book includes interpreted visions, exhortations, and later oracles. Retain explanations supplied by the text and label further symbolic connections as interpretation. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The closing oracles move through mourning, cleansing, conflict, and the LORD's kingship; detailed fulfillments must be argued rather than assumed.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The closing oracles move through mourning, cleansing, conflict, and the LORD's kingship; detailed fulfillments must be argued rather than assumed.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Zechariah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Zechariah's dated opening belongs to the post-exilic setting under Darius. The book includes interpreted visions, exhortations, and later oracles. Retain explanations supplied by the text and label further symbolic connections as interpretation.
Connection to the wholeA sequence of visions and explanations addresses the community's situation and the LORD's purposes, followed by the symbolic crowning.
Connection to the wholeThe oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
Connection to the wholeThe closing oracles move through mourning, cleansing, conflict, and the LORD's kingship; detailed fulfillments must be argued rather than assumed.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.