The Book of Zechariah

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The book is named after its author, and the title means "The Lord remembers."  Zechariah's prophetic ministry took place in the postexilic period, the time of the Jewish restoration from Babylonian captivity.  His prophecies began two months after Haggai's first message.


Zechariah was not only a prophet but also a priest.  He was among those who returned to Judah in 538 B.C.  He was a contemporary of Haggai but continued his ministry long after him.  The book of Zechariah was probably written sometime before 480 B.C.

Zechariah was concerned about the rebuilding of the temple, and in his first message he warned the people they were to listen to God's message through the prophets.  He was also interested in their spiritual renewal.

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Zechariah also contained many Messianic passages: he predicted Christ's coming in lowliness (6:12), His humanity (6:12; 13:7), His rejection and betrayal for thirty pieces of silver (11:12-13), His being struck by the sword of the Lord (13:7), His priesthood (6:13), His kingship (6:13; 9:9; 14:9, 16), His coming in glory (14:4), His building of the Lord's temple (6:12-13), His reign (9:10,14) and His establishment of enduring peace and prosperity (3:10; 9:9-10).

I.      A Call to Repentance (1:1-6)
II.    Eight Visions (1:7-6:8)
III.  The Crowning of Joshua the High Priest (6:9-15)
IV.   Fasting and the Future (7:1-8:23)
V.     The Advent and Rejection of the Messiah (9:1-11:17)
VI.   The Advent and Redemption of the Messiah (12:1-14:21)

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  • In chapters 1-8, Zechariah recorded his visions, encouraged the people to reinstate the priesthood, and other religious laws that were forgotten during 
    the 70-year exile.  Zechariah give great hope and encouragement about the coming Messiah Jesus Christ who will set up His throne and rule as the mighty Branch, the High Priest who will offer up the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.  “    Then say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “Behold, a man whose name is Branch, for He will branch out from where He is; and He will build the temple of the LORD. “Yes, it is He who will build the temple of the LORD, and He  who will bear the honor and sit and rule on His throne.  Thus, He will be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace will be between the two offices” (6:11-12).
  • Chapters 9-14 are difficult passages to understand, many are prophetic and apocalyptic.  Zechariah writes judgment against the neighboring enemies.  Most importantly he declared the first coming of the Messiah who would be mounted on a donkey (9:9), His betrayal (11:12), and His crucifixion (12:10).  Finally, he writes about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ descending from heaven the same way He had left in Acts 1:11, in the clouds.  “In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south” (14:4).

    • countinue to Malachi...