The image of the suffering Messiah appears for the first time in the predictions of Isaiah of Babylon. However, there is not enough concrete over there: Isaiah speaks about the sufferings of the Messiah only generally, by mentioning, nevertheless that the Messiah suffers for the sins of His people. The same subject appears in the second part of the Book of Zechariah, which most of the researchers of the Bible consider later than its first part...
The image of the suffering Messiah appears for the first time in the predictions of Isaiah of Babylon. However, there is not enough concrete over there: Isaiah speaks about the sufferings of the Messiah only generally, by mentioning, nevertheless that the Messiah suffers for the sins of His people. The same subject appears in the second part of the Book of Zechariah, which most of the researchers of the Bible consider later than its first part, which was written, apparently, by the middle of V s before J.C. Here, in the image of the suffering Messiah, appear already evangelic features, and it becomes clear that the sufferings of the Messiah, maybe, will end with His execution, of which will be guilty not only the heathen, but also the representatives of Jewish people.
And if formerly we could interpret the words of Isaiah in the sense that the Messiah will suffer from foreign persecutors, in the power under which people will be because of their sins, such that one cannot speak here about the sufferings for the sins of the people in a known, not personal meaning of the word, then now it is about a direct participation in the execution of the Messiah, at least, of some of those who belong to the people of God. Sin becomes a reality. Of course, as usual in such cases, it does not come to speak about the guilt or the innocence of the people in general: as in all the times and in every nation, inside the Jewish people there are those who participate in the evil and thus has a direct relation with it, and there are those who try to resist this evil or stay simply aside.
But such a revelation raises a question before every person, who is face to face with the Messiah, and thus, face to face with God: what to do? In which side to be? The question of the Kingdom becomes a question not impersonal, not collective, when it is the Kingdom, we enter all together because of belonging to the people of God, but the question is concrete and very personal, the question of the choices made, taken decisions, committed acts or not committed acts.
12 The enemies of the church shall not prevail against her, Zec 12:1-6.
God will strengthen the weakest of his people, Zec 12:7-8.
A spirit of prayer and repentance promised, Zec 12:9-14.
12:2 Jerusalem - That weak, unwalled city, and much more the church which is the antitype of Jerusalem. In the siege - Now when all this is in readiness, and no visible means of escape, then will God make them drink the wine of astonishment.
12:3 In that day - The day of the full accomplishment of this prophecy is a day known to the Lord. A burdensome stone - Too heavy for them, though many join together to remove it.
12:4 I will open mine eyes - I will watch over my people for good.This eye of God open upon his people, is his wise, powerful, gracious providence for them. With blindness - All their warriors in their consults shall have as little of foresight, as a blind man hath of sight.
12:5 The inhabitants of Jerusalem - Though but few, and poor, yet they shall be my strength. Not in their own power, but in the power of the Almighty Lord of all.
12:6 Like a hearth - A hearth on which fire is thoroughly kindled.In her own place - Not built as Nineveh, Babylon, or Rome, in some place near old cities, but in the very same place where old Jerusalem stood.
12:7 The tents - The unfenced places, the open country, the cottages, or tents. First - First the weaker are saved, next the stronger.The glory - That the illustrious house of David, and the glorious citizens of Jerusalem may not boast of their power, policy and courage.
12:8 As David - A mighty man of valour. The house of David - Those of the royal line shall be for prudence, and prowess in the conduct of the armies of Israel, most excellent; exprest here in an hyperbole.As the angel - Nay, like the angel of the Lord, like Christ who is captain of our salvation.
12:9 I will seek - I will purposely and effectually do it.
12:10 I will pour - This was fulfilled on Christ's exaltation, when he sent the Comforter to his disciples, it is daily performed to the children of God, and will be continually, 'till we are brought to be with Christ for ever. The house of David - The whole family of Christ, his house who was the seed of David, and who is called David, Eze 37:24.The spirit of grace - Which is fountain of all graces in us.Pierced - Every one of us by our sins pierced him, and many of the Jews literally. Mourn - They shall literally lament the crucifying of the Lord Jesus. In bitterness - True repentance will bitterly lament the sins which brought sorrows and shame upon our Lord.
12:11 In that day - When the Jews shall mourn for their sins, and for that great sin, crucifying the Lord of glory. A great mourning - A mourning exprest by the greatest the Jews ever were acquainted with, and which for its greatness grew into a proverb. The mourning for Josiah slain at Hadadrimmon, a town in the valley of Megiddo.
12:12 The house of Nathan - The royal family in both branches of it, Solomon's and Nathan's.
12:13 The house of Levi - The sacerdotal tribe were the most bitter persecutors of Christ, they hired the traitor, they sought witness; the high priest, (head of that family) condemned him to die, for all which they shall one day reckon with God, and therefore above other tribes they are particularly named as chief mourners for their cruelty to Christ.
13 A promise of pardon, of reformation, and of the conviction and silencing of false prophets, Zec 13:1-6.
A clear prediction of the sufferings of Christ, the destruction of the Jews, and the purifying of a remnant, Zec 13:7-9.
13:1 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.
13:2 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.
13:3 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.
13:4 A rough garment - Such as the true prophets were wont to wear.
13:6 With which I was wounded - To recover me from ruining myself and others by imposture, see ver. Zec 13:3.
13:7 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.
13:8 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.