Contents
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………1
Historical Setting and Date………………………………………………………………………..2
Authorship and Audience…………………………………………………………………………2
Major Theological Themes………………………………………………………………………..3
Exegetical Outline of the Book of Zechariah…………………………………………………...4
Interpretive Commentary……………………………………………………………………….4
The impending deliverance and defense of Judah (Zechariah 12:1-9)……………………4
Jerusalem will be victorious over surrounding nations (Zechariah 12:2)………....4
Judah’s political figures will be “like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery
torch in the sheaves (Zechariah 12:6).”…………………………………………………………...4
Even the weakest in Jerusalem become strong (Zechariah 12:8)…………………4
Mourning for the Pierced One (Zechariah 12:10-14)……………………………………..4
The Lord will pour out the Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10)…………………….4
There will be great mourning in Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:11)……………………5
The end of idolatry (Zechariah 13:1-6)……………………………………………………5
Idols will be cut off and no longer remembered (Zechariah 13:2)………………..5
Lying prophets will be cut off (Zechariah 13:2)…………………………………..5
The Shepherd Savior (Zechariah 13:7-9) …………………………………………………5
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“Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered (Zechariah 13:7)”…………………………5
Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)…………………………………………5
Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29, Revelation 5:6)……………………………5
Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law (Hebrews 10:10)…………………………..5
One-third of the land will be saved (Zechariah 13:8)……………………………..5
The Day of the Lord and Jerusalem’s prosperity (Zechariah 14:1-11)……………………5
All nations will battle against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2)………………………..5
The Lord will fight Jerusalem’s battles (Zechariah 14:3)…………………………5
Living waters flow from Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8)……………………………..5
Jerusalem’s Safety (Zechariah 14:11)……………………………………………..5
The Fate of Jerusalem’s Enemies (Zechariah 14:12-15)………………………………….5
A plague on Jerusalem’s enemies (Zechariah 14:13, 15)…………………………5
Judah will be Jerusalem’s ally (Zechariah 14:14)…………………………………5
The Majesty of the Lord (Zechariah 14:16-20)…………………………………………...5
Those who are left of Jerusalem’s enemies will worship the Lord (Zechariah
14:16-19)………………………………………………………………………………………….5
“Every pot in Jerusalem shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts (Zechariah
14:21).”……………………………………………………………………………………………5
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………...6
iii
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Introduction
The central focus of Zechariah 12-14 (NKJV)1 will include the setting and date,
authorship and audience, and the major theological themes of the specific passages. The
following outline will address the details of the include the impending deliverance of Judah,
Jerusalem’s defense, the mourning of the pierced One, the end of idolatry, false prophets, the
Shepherd Savior, the Day of the Lord, Jerusalem’s prosperity, the fate of Jerusalem’s enemies,
and the majesty of the Lord. The central points that will be found in the final commentary of
Zechariah 12-14 (NKJV)2 will elaborate on the subheadings that are included in the outline. The
central points will be derived from the Bible as well as the books and articles of Robert B.
Chisholm (2009)3, Gregory Goswell (2021)4, Robert Rhea and Giessen Zeitschrift für die
Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft (1995)5, N. Allan Moseley (2016)6, K.W. Weyde (2018)7,
1 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
2 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
3 Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids,MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
4 Gregory Goswell, “Making Theological Sense of the Prophetic Books of the Old Testament Canon,” Journal of the
Evangelical Theological Society 64, no. 1 (March 2021): 77–94
5 Robert Rhea & Giessen Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, Attack on Prophecy: Zechariah 13,1-6
107, no. 2 (January 1, 1995)
6 N Allan Moseley, “The Book of Zechariah,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 59, no. 4 (December
2016): 838–841
7 K.W. Weyde, “Once Again the Term Maśśā’ in Zechariah 9:1; 12:1 and in Malachi 1:1: What Is Its Significance?,”
Acta Theologica Supp, no. 26 (2018): 251–267, https://doi.org/10.18820/23099089/actat.sup26.15.
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Christine Mitchell (2014)8, John Goldingjay and Pamela J. Scalise (2012)9, Ralph Smith (1984)10,
and Stephen R. Miller and Max Anders (1984)11.
Historical Setting and Date
Chisholm (2009)12 addressed the possible time period in which Zechariah may have been
set during chapters twelve through fourteen. Chisholm (2009)13 addressed two possible time
periods, which include the following: Chisholm (2009)14 stated that “chapters 9-14 appear to
reflect a preexilic setting (Chisholm, 2009)15”, and a time period after Zechariah’s earthly
ministry. According to modern scholars, Jerusalem was the location in which Zechariah 12-14
(NKJV)16 was set.
Authorship and Audience
According to Chisholm (2009)17, the author of the first eleven chapters of the book of
8 Christine Mitchell, “A Note on the Creation Formula in Zechariah 12:1–8; Isaiah 42:5–6; and Old Persian
Inscriptions,” Journal of Biblical Literature 133, no. 2 (2014): 305, https://doi.org/10.15699/jbibllite.133.2.305.
9 John Goldingay and Pamela J. Scalise, Minor Prophets II (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012).
10 Ralph Smith, Micah-Malachi (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1984).
11 Stephen R. Miller and Max Anders, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi (Nashville, Tenn:
Broadman & Holman, 2004).
12 Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids,MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
13 Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids,MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
14 Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids,MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
15 Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids,MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
16 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
17 Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids,MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
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Zechariah are Zechariah himself. However, most modern scholars collectively assert that
chapters twelve through fourteen are not credited to the authorship of Zechariah. Therefore,
modern scholars assert the authorship to an “anonymous ‘Second Zechariah’ (Chisholm,
2009)18.” The inhabitants of Israel were accredited as the original audience in Zechariah 12-14
(NKJV)19.
Major Theological Themes
The impending deliverance and the defense of Judah that is represented in Zechariah
12:1-9 (NKJV)20 addressed the major theological themes of Jerusalem’s victory over surrounding
enemy forces (v. 2), Jerusalem’s political leadership (v. 6), and empowerment of the weak (v. 8).
The mourning for the pierced One that is represented in Zechariah 12:10-14 (NKJV)21 addressed
the major theological themes of God’s grace (v. 10), and presence in the time of grief (v. 11).
The end of idolatry that is represented in Zechariah 13:1-6 (NKJV)22 addressed the major
theological themes of the complete elimination of idolatry (v. 2) and the elimination of false
prophets (v. 2). The Shepherd Savior that is represented in Zechariah 13:7-9 (NKJV)23 addressed
the major theological themes of the position of shepherds (v. 7), Jesus’ position as the Good
Shepherd (John 10:11), Jesus’ position as the Lamb of God (John 1:19,
18 Robert B. Chisholm, Handbook on the Prophets (Grand rapids,MI: Baker Academic, 2009).
19 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
20 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
21 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
22 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
23 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
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Revelation 5:6), the fulfillment of the Mosaic law (Hebrews 10:10) and the refining salvation of
one-third of Jerusalem’s inhabitants (v. 8).
The “Day of the Lord (NKJV)24” and Jerusalem’s prosperity that are represented in
Zechariah 14:1-11 (NKJV)25 addressed the major theological themes of world war (v. 2),
ultimate victory (v. 3), and guaranteed safety (v. 11). The fate of Jerusalem’s enemies that is
represented in Zechariah 14:12-15 (NKJV)26 addressed the major theological themes of
Jerusalem’s enemies (v. 13, 15), and Jerusalem’s partnership with Judah (v. 14). The majesty of
the Lord that is represented in Zechariah 14:16-20 (NKJV)27 addressed the major theological
theme of Old Testament worship (v. 16-21).
Exegetical Outline in the Book of Zechariah
A. The impending deliverance and defense of Judah (Zechariah 12:1-9).
1. Jerusalem will be victorious over surrounding nations (Zechariah 12:1-9).
2. Judah’s political figures will be “like a firepan in the woodpile, and like a fiery torch in
the sheaves (Zechariah 12:12:6).
3. Even the weakest in Jerusalem are strong (Zechariah 12:12:8).
B. Mourning for the Pierced One (Zechariah 12:10-14).
1. The Lord will pour out the Spirit of grace (Zechariah 12:10).
24 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
25 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
26 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
27 The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018).
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2. There will be great mourning in Jerusalem (Zechariah 12:11).
C. The end of idolatry (Zechariah 13:1-6).
1. Idols will be cut off and no longer remembered (Zechariah 13:2).
2. Lying prophets will be cut off (Zechariah 13:2).
D. The Shepherd Savior (Zechariah 13:7-9).
1. “Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered (Zechariah 13:7)”.
2. Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).
3. Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29, Revelation 5:6).
4. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament law (Hebrews 10:10).
5. One-third of the land will be saved (Zechariah 13:8).
E. The Day of the Lord and Jerusalem’s prosperity (Zechariah 14:1-11).
1. All nations will battle against Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:2).
2. The Lord will fight Jerusalem’s battles (Zechariah 14:3).
3. Living waters flow from Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:8).
F. Jerusalem’s safety (Zechariah 14:11).
G. The fate of Jerusalem’s enemies (Zechariah 14:12-15).
1. A plague on Jerusalem’s enemies (Zechariah 14:13, 15).
2. Judah will be Jerusalem’s ally (Zechariah 14:14).
H. The majesty of the Lord (Zechariah 14:16-20).
1. Those who are left of Jerusalem’s enemies will worship the Lord (Zechariah 14:16-
19).
2. “Every pot in Jerusalem shall be holiness to the Lord of hosts (Zechariah 14:21).”
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Bibliography
The Holy Bible: Containing Old and New Testaments. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2018.
Chisholm, Robert B. Handbook on the Prophets. Grand rapids,MI: Baker Academic, 2009.
Goswell, Gregory. “Making Theological Sense of the Prophetic Books of the Old Testament
Canon.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 64, no. 1 (March 2021): 77–94.
Rhea, Robert, and Giessen Zeitschrift für die Alttestamentliche Wissenschaft. Attack on
Prophecy: Zechariah 13,1-6 107, no. 2 (January 1, 1995): 288.
Moseley, N Allan. “The Book of Zechariah.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 59,
no. 4 (December 2016): 838–841.
Weyde, K.W. “Once Again the Term Maśśā’ in Zechariah 9:1; 12:1 and in Malachi 1:1: What Is
Its Significance?” Acta Theologica Supp, no. 26 (2018): 251–267.
Mitchell, Christine. “A Note on the Creation Formula in Zechariah 12:1–8; Isaiah 42:5–6; and
Old Persian Inscriptions.” Journal of Biblical Literature 133, no. 2 (2014): 305.
Goldingay, John, and Pamela J. Scalise. Minor Prophets II. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books,
2012.
Smith, Ralph. Micah-Malachi. Waco, TX: Word Books, 1984.
Miller, Stephen R., and Max Anders. Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah,
Malachi. Nashville, Tenn: Broadman & Holman, 2004.
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