View Zechariah 13 in the note window.
A promise of pardon, of reformation, and of the conviction and
silencing of false prophets, ver. 1 - 6.
A clear prediction of the sufferings of Christ, the destruction of
the Jews, and the purifying of a remnant, ver. 7 - 9.
1: A fountain - The blood of Christ. Opened - The spouse is to
Christ a fountain sealed, but Christ is to sinners a fountain opened.
Inhabitants of Jerusalem - The inhabitants of Jerusalem are all to
whom the gospel is preached. For uncleanness - For purging away all
manner of sins and uncleannesses.
2: Cut off - I will utterly destroy idols and idolatry.
The prophets - The false prophets.
The unclean spirit - The devil who sets the false prophets to work.
3: Prophesy - Falsely. His father - His dearest friends.
Shall thrust him through - That is, shall wound, shall chastise
him with stripes that may leave their marks behind.
4: A rough garment - Such as the true prophets were wont to wear.
6: With which I was wounded - To recover me from ruining myself and
others by imposture, see ver.(3).
7: O sword - Afflictions, persecutions, and the cross.
My shepherd - Who is my faithful shepherd, and will lay down his life
for my sheep. My fellow - This speaks Christ; man with us, and God
with his father, God - man in one person. The shepherd - This great and
good shepherd. Turn mine hand - God will turn his hand in favour, and
for protection will keep the new, and weak disciples.
8: Two parts - Not precisely two, but the greater part shall die
a temporal death, by the sword of Titus, or in eternal death under
unbelief. The third - A remnant, the lesser part, shall escape or be
preserved.
