Bible Commentaries
Zechariah 12

Verse 1

Zec 12:1. God never forgot, the treatment the Babylonians and other heathen people accorded His nation in the past, and now he has a burden or weighty prediction to make concerning it. His ability and right to do so is assured by the truth that He is the same One who created the heavens and the earth. He not only could create inanimate things like that, but was able to bring into being the living creatures like man. His eternal power was not limited to the creation of a being with life to be called man, but within that creature already endowed with a living soul (Gen 2:7), He was able to form a spirit thus elevating him above the rank of a living creature and causing him to be a human living creature possessing three parts according to 1Th 5:23. Surely, then, such a Creator can do what His will dictates on behalf of His own nation that had been formed for His glory among the people of the earth.

Verse 2

Zec 12:2. Trembling is from RAAT, and Strong's definition is, “A reeling from intoxication." "When they shall be in the siege is said reflectively. The verse means that the Lord remembered how they treated Judah and Jerusalem and was determined to avenge them. It was going to be done by enabling His people to force the heathen to drink from a cup that would send them forth staggering like a drunken man.

Verse 3

Zec 12:3. This is a general repetition of the preceding verse.

Verse 4

Zec 12:4. The reference to the horse pertains to the siege because the cavalry was used to support the movement. God was going to smite them of the heathen because of what they had done to Jerusalem.

Verse 5

Zec 12:5. The demonstration of God’s power will produce encouragement in the heart of the inhabitants of Jerusalem,

Verse 6

Zec 12:6. That day all through these verses refers to the time when the promised favors should be accomplished for Judah and Jerusalem. All of the things predicted throughout this chapter and onward have a twofold bearing. The first applies to ancient Jerusalem and her triumph over her heathen foes. Then, following a practice so often observed in the prophetic writings, the verses look far beyond and after the ancient experiences of fleshly Israel to the time of Christ and the New Testament age.

Verse 7

Zec 12:7. An evil condition so com¬mon was for the people to be imposed on by the leaders in Jerusalem, The Lord’s influence will be to save the tents of Judah (the common people), so that the glory and advantage of the inhabitants of Jerusalem shall not impose on them. In the government of Christ there will not be any partiality as to true greatness. This was taught bv Him while on earth in Mat 20:25-28.

Verse 8

Zec 12:8. This is virtually the same as the preceding verse in meaning.

Verse 9

Zec 12:9. This was true temporally, and it was true figuratively, for the government to be founded at Jerusalem was destined to conquer the sinners by bringing them under the power of Christ through the teaching of the Gospel.

Verse 10

Zec 12:10. This spirit of supplication was to be caused by the awful treatment accorded the Son of God in the city of Jerusalem. We are sure this is the meaning of this passage, for it is quoted and so applied in Joh 19:37. The remainder of the verse applies to others who were to be grieved over the cruel treatment given to Jesus. For the proof of this see Joh 16:20.

Verse 11

Zec 12:11-14. This whole passage is a description of the great state of sorrow that was to be caused by the condemnation and crucifixion of Christ.