FocusRestoration, cleansing, and the Branch
Connection to the wholeA sequence of visions and explanations addresses the community's situation and the LORD's purposes, followed by the symbolic crowning.
interpretation Zechariah 3:8
KJVHear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
Read it in context
The Vision of Joshua the High Priest
Start reading at Zechariah 3:1 (Zechariah 3:1 to Zechariah 3:10).
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.
A sequence of visions and explanations addresses the community's situation and the LORD's purposes, followed by the symbolic crowning.
- 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
- 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
- 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
- 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
- 3:5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
- 3:6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
- 3:7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
- 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
- 3:9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
- 3:10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
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 1:1–6:15): Zechariah receives visions with angelic explanations for the returned community. Joshua the high priest and Zerubbabel the governor feature in the messages of restoration. 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? The Vision of Joshua the High Priest. Read Zechariah 3:1 through Zechariah 3:10 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? A sequence of visions and explanations addresses the community's situation and the LORD's purposes, followed by the symbolic crowning. 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 The Vision of Joshua the High Priest (Zechariah 3:1 to Zechariah 3:10). Start reading at Zechariah 3:1. 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 3:1, Zechariah 3:10, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:4, Matthew 21:5, Zechariah 13:7, Matthew 26:31
Who wrote it, and how we know
Zechariah
Named 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.
Related passages
- for Ps 71:7 Isa 8:18 Isa 20:3 1 Cor 4:9-13
- wondered at Ezek 12:11 Ezek 24:24
- my Isa 42:1 Isa 49:3,5 Isa 52:13 Isa 53:11 Ezek 34:23-24 Ezek 37:24 Phil 2:6-8
- the Branch Zech 6:12 Isa 4:2 Isa 11:1 Isa 53:2 Jer 23:5 Jer 33:15 Ezek 17:22-24 Ezek 34:29
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 3
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.
Zechariah 1:1 Zechariah 1:3 Zechariah 7:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Zechariah
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.
Zechariah 1:1 Zechariah 1:3 Zechariah 7:1
Return to the LORD
Zechariah 1:1–6FocusThe warning from the fathers
Connection to the wholeThe opening appeal recalls earlier refusals to hear the prophets and calls the present community to return.
interpretation FocusRestoration, cleansing, and the Branch
Connection to the wholeA sequence of visions and explanations addresses the community's situation and the LORD's purposes, followed by the symbolic crowning.
interpretation Fasting, justice, and promised restoration
Zechariah 7:1–8:23FocusTruthful worship and renewed community
Connection to the wholeA question about fasting leads to exhortations about justice and words of future blessing and gathering.
interpretation The king and the shepherds
Zechariah 9:1–11:17FocusDeliverance and rejected shepherding
Connection to the wholeThe oracles present the coming king and conflicts involving the flock and shepherds, requiring careful attention to their changing images.
interpretation Jerusalem, cleansing, and the LORD's reign
Zechariah 12:1–14:21FocusConflict and final hope
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.