If someone asks him, 'What are these wounds on your chest?' he will answer, 'These are the wounds I received in the house of my friends.' And if someone asks himThis phrase introduces a hypothetical scenario, suggesting a future inquiry. The Hebrew word for "asks" (שָׁאַל, sha'al) implies a seeking of understanding or clarification. In the context of Zechariah, this inquiry is significant as it points to a time of revelation and truth. Historically, this reflects a period when false prophets will be exposed, and the truth will be sought earnestly by the people. ‘What are these wounds on your chest?’
The "wounds" (מַכּוֹת, makkot) mentioned here are indicative of physical marks or scars. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such wounds could be associated with rituals or self-inflicted injuries related to idolatrous practices. The "chest" (בֵּין יָדֶיךָ, bein yadeikha) literally translates to "between your hands," often interpreted as the chest or body. This imagery evokes a sense of personal and intimate injury, suggesting a deeper spiritual or relational betrayal. he will answer
The response given is crucial, as it reveals the heart and truth of the matter. The Hebrew root for "answer" (עָנָה, anah) conveys a reply or testimony, often used in contexts where truth is being revealed or confessed. This sets the stage for a moment of honesty and revelation, aligning with the prophetic theme of repentance and acknowledgment of past errors. ‘The wounds I received
The phrase "I received" (הִכּוּנִי, hikkuni) indicates a passive reception of these wounds, suggesting that they were inflicted by others. This can be seen as a metaphor for the consequences of sin or the betrayal by those once trusted. In a broader theological context, it reflects the suffering endured by Christ, who bore wounds for humanity's transgressions. in the house of my friends.’
The "house of my friends" (בֵּית מְאַהֲבַי, beit me'ahavai) is a poignant phrase, highlighting the betrayal by those who were close and trusted. This echoes the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, one of His own disciples, fulfilling the prophetic imagery of being wounded in the house of friends. Historically, this underscores the theme of internal strife and the pain of betrayal within the community of believers, calling for introspection and reconciliation. Persons / Places / Events 1. ZechariahA prophet in the Old Testament who ministered to the people of Judah after their return from Babylonian exile. His prophecies often focus on the coming Messiah and the restoration of God's people. 2. The Wounded ManIn Zechariah 13:6, this figure is questioned about wounds on his body, which he claims were received in the house of his friends. This enigmatic figure is often interpreted as a messianic prophecy pointing to Jesus Christ. 3. The House of FriendsThis phrase suggests a place of supposed safety and trust, yet it becomes a place of betrayal and harm. It can be seen as a metaphor for the betrayal Jesus experienced from those close to Him. Teaching Points Understanding Prophetic ImageryZechariah 13:6 uses vivid imagery to convey deep spiritual truths. Recognizing the symbolic nature of biblical prophecy helps us understand God's redemptive plan through Christ. Betrayal and RedemptionThe wounds received "in the house of my friends" remind us of the betrayal Jesus faced. Yet, through His suffering, redemption was made possible for all. This teaches us about the cost of our salvation and the depth of God's love. Trust in God's SovereigntyEven in betrayal and suffering, God's purposes prevail. This encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty, knowing that He can bring good out of painful situations. The Cost of DiscipleshipJust as Jesus bore wounds, believers are called to take up their cross and follow Him. This involves enduring hardships and remaining faithful amidst trials. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the imagery of wounds in Zechariah 13:6 deepen our understanding of Jesus' suffering and sacrifice? 2. In what ways can we relate to the experience of betrayal described in this verse, and how can we find comfort in Christ's example? 3. How does the theme of betrayal in Zechariah 13:6 connect with other biblical accounts of betrayal, such as Judas' betrayal of Jesus? 4. What does this passage teach us about the nature of true friendship and trust within the body of Christ? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Zechariah 13:6 to our own lives, particularly in dealing with personal wounds and relationships? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 53This chapter describes the suffering servant, a messianic prophecy that aligns with the imagery of wounds and betrayal found in Zechariah 13:6. Psalm 41:9This verse speaks of betrayal by a close friend, which parallels the theme of betrayal in Zechariah 13:6 and is fulfilled in the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. John 19:34The piercing of Jesus' side is a New Testament event that echoes the imagery of wounds, connecting to the prophecy in Zechariah. People David, ZechariahPlaces JerusalemTopics Anyone, Arms, Asks, Body, Friends, Hands, Home, Lovers, Received, Says, Smitten, Someone, Wounded, WoundsDictionary of Bible Themes Zechariah 13:6 5478 property, houses Zechariah 13:6-7 5281 crucifixion Library The Open Fountain
"Wake, harp of Zion, wake again, Upon thine ancient hill, On Jordan's long deserted plain, By Kedron's lowly rill. The hymn shall yet in Zion swell That sounds Messiah's praise, And thy loved name, Immanuel! As once in ancient days. For Israel yet shall own her King, For her salvation waits, And hill and dale shall sweetly sing With praise in all her gates." Having said thus much, however, we shall now take our text as belonging to ourselves in common with Israel, for in the gospel no promise is …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871The Twenty-Second Psalm.
The Cross of Christ. THE Twenty-second Psalm contains a most remarkable prophecy. The human instrument through whom this prophecy was given is King David. The Psalm does not contain the experience of the King, though he passed through great sufferings, yet the sufferings he speaks of in this Psalm are not his own. They are the sufferings of Christ. It is written in the New Testament that the prophets searched and enquired diligently about the coming salvation. The Spirit of Christ, which was in …
Arno Gaebelein—The Lord of Glory Messiah Unpitied, and Without a Comforter
Reproach [Rebuke] hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. T he greatness of suffering cannot be certainly estimated by the single consideration of the immediate, apparent cause; the impression it actually makes upon the mind of the sufferer, must likewise be taken into the account. That which is a heavy trial to one person, may be much lighter to another, and, perhaps, no trial at all. And a state …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Appendix xix. On Eternal Punishment, According to the Rabbis and the New Testament
THE Parables of the Ten Virgins' and of the Unfaithful Servant' close with a Discourse on the Last Things,' the final Judgment, and the fate of those Christ's Righ Hand and at His Left (St. Matt. xxv. 31-46). This final Judgment by our Lord forms a fundamental article in the Creed of the Church. It is the Christ Who comes, accompanied by the Angelic Host, and sits down on the throne of His Glory, when all nations are gathered before Him. Then the final separation is made, and joy or sorrow awarded …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Shepherd of Our Souls.
"I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep."--John x. 11. Our Lord here appropriates to Himself the title under which He had been foretold by the Prophets. "David My servant shall be king over them," says Almighty God by the mouth of Ezekiel: "and they all shall have one Shepherd." And in the book of Zechariah, "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts; smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered." …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII The Warning
"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered abroad. Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice. But he spake exceeding …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark Nature of Covenanting.
A covenant is a mutual voluntary compact between two parties on given terms or conditions. It may be made between superiors and inferiors, or between equals. The sentiment that a covenant can be made only between parties respectively independent of one another is inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture. Parties to covenants in a great variety of relative circumstances, are there introduced. There, covenant relations among men are represented as obtaining not merely between nation and nation, …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting "Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
Matt. vi. 33.--"Seek first the kingdom of God," &c. It may seem strange, that when so great things are allowed, and so small things are denied, that we do not seek them. The kingdom of God and his righteousness are great things indeed, great not only in themselves, but greater in comparison of us. The things of this world, even great events, are but poor, petty, and inconsiderable matters, when compared with these. Yet he graciously allows a larger measure of these great things relating to his kingdom …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning His Future Work
The Lord Jesus Christ, who finished the work on earth the Father gave Him to do, who is now bodily present in the highest heaven, occupying the Father's throne and exercising His priesthood in behalf of His people, is also King. To Him belongeth a Kingdom and a kingly Glory. He has therefore a kingly work to do. While His past work was foretold by the Spirit of God and His priestly work foreshadowed in the Old Testament, His work as King and His glorious Kingdom to come are likewise the subjects …
A. C. Gaebelein—The Work Of Christ Judas' Betrayal and Peter's Denial Foretold.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 21-25, 31-35; ^B Mark XIV. 18-21, 27-31; ^C Luke XXII. 21-23, 31-38; ^D John XIII. 21-38. ^b 18 And ^d 21 When Jesus had thus said, ^b as they sat and were eating, ^d he was troubled in the spirit, and ^b Jesus ^d testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ^b even he that eateth with me. ^c 21 But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. [The foreknowledge of Judas' crime …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
PHILIPPIANS i. 21-30 He will be spared to them--Spiritual wealth of the paragraph--Adolphe Monod's exposition--Charles Simeon's testimony--The equilibrium and its secret--The intermediate bliss--He longs for their full consistency--The "gift" of suffering Ver. 21. +For to me, to live is Christ+; the consciousness and experiences of living, in the body, are so full of Christ, my supreme Interest, that CHRIST sums them all up; +and to die+, the act of dying,[1] +is gain+, for it will usher me in …
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots.
Having spoken of the way of making use of Christ for removing the guilt of our daily transgressions, we come to speak of the way of making use of Christ, for taking away the guilt that cleaveth to the soul, through daily transgressions; "for every sin defileth the man," Matt. xv. 20; and the best are said to have their spots, and to need washing, which presupposeth filthiness and defilement, Eph. v. 27. John xiii. 8-10. Hence we are so oft called to this duty of washing and making us clean. Isa. …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Zechariah 13:6 NIVZechariah 13:6 NLTZechariah 13:6 ESVZechariah 13:6 NASBZechariah 13:6 KJV
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