Zechariah 1:13

KJV

And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me [with] good words [and] comfortable words.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} answered {H6030} the angel {H4397} that talked {H1696} with me with good {H2896} words {H1697} and comfortable {H5150} words {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI replied with kind and comforting words to the angel who was speaking with me.

Berean Standard Bible

So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who was speaking with me.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah answered the angel that talked with me with good words, even comfortable words.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 1:13 marks a pivotal moment of divine reassurance within the prophet's initial vision, revealing the Lord's compassionate and favorable response to the angel's intercession concerning the desolate state of Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. Following a period of divine judgment and the seventy years of Babylonian exile, this verse signals God's renewed mercy and intention to bring comfort, restoration, and prosperity to His people, offering a profound message of hope amidst their struggles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 1:13 is situated within the prophet's first of eight nocturnal visions, specifically following the vision of the horsemen (Zechariah 1:7-11). In this vision, four horsemen patrol the earth, reporting that "all the earth sitteth still, and is at rest" (Zechariah 1:11). This report of global peace contrasts sharply with the continued desolation of Jerusalem and Judah, prompting an angel of the Lord to intercede, asking, "O LORD of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?" (Zechariah 1:12). Verse 13 is the direct, immediate, and gracious divine answer to this plea, setting the stage for the subsequent visions of restoration and judgment found throughout [Zechariah 1](/zechariah/1 "Zechariah 1 - Visions of Restoration and Judgment") and [Zechariah 2](/zechariah/2 "Zechariah 2 - The Measuring Line and God's Dwelling").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Zechariah ministered around 520 BC, approximately 16 years after the first wave of Jewish exiles had returned from their seventy-year [Babylonian captivity](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Seventy Years of Captivity"). This was a challenging period for the returned remnant. They faced significant opposition from surrounding peoples, economic hardship, and a deep sense of discouragement, which had led to a halt in the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem (cf. [Ezra 4:24](/ezra/4-24 "Ezra 4:24 - Opposition Halts Temple Building")). The people were grappling with the aftermath of divine judgment, the unfulfilled promises of restoration, and a pervasive feeling of being forgotten by God. Culturally, they were a people in transition, attempting to re-establish their identity and covenant relationship with Yahweh in their ancestral land, making a word of divine comfort and renewed commitment supremely vital.
* **Key Themes:** Zechariah 1:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Divine Compassion and Comfort**. Despite Israel's past disobedience that led to exile, God's heart is moved with empathy, signaling an end to His "indignation" (Zechariah 1:12) and a return to favor. Secondly, it reinforces the **Assurance of Restoration** for Jerusalem and Judah. The "good words and comfortable words" are not mere pleasantries but divine declarations that promise future blessing, renewal, and the re-establishment of God's presence among His people, a theme further developed in [Zechariah 2:4-5](/zechariah/2-4-5 "Zechariah 2:4-5 - Jerusalem Without Walls"). Lastly, the verse highlights the **Efficacy of Intercession**. The Lord's immediate and positive response to the angel's plea demonstrates that God is attentive to prayers made on behalf of His people, illustrating the power of mediation, a concept echoed in [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** This primitive root primarily means "to eye" or "to heed," implying paying attention and, by extension, to respond. In this context, it signifies the Lord's attentive and verbal reply to the angel's intercession. It's not a passive acknowledgment but an active, spoken declaration, underscoring God's engagement with the concerns raised.
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** This adjective carries a wide semantic range, encompassing concepts of being favorable, beneficial, pleasant, beautiful, and prosperous. When applied to "words," it means the message conveyed is inherently positive, advantageous, and conducive to well-being. It implies a reversal of the previous state of judgment and a promise of blessing.
* **comfortable (Hebrew, _nichûwm'_):** Derived from the root _nāḥam_, meaning "to console" or "to show compassion," this word denotes solace and reassurance. It speaks to a deep, profound sense of divine comfort given after a period of distress, grief, or judgment. These are words that alleviate pain, bring peace, and restore hope, echoing the profound comfort found in passages like [Isaiah 40:1](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - Comfort for God's People").

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD answered the angel that talked with me":** This clause establishes the divine origin and authority of the message. The Lord, Yahweh (H3068), the self-existent and eternal God, directly responds to the angel (H4397), who has been communicating with Zechariah. This immediate divine reply to the angel's intercession (from Zechariah 1:12) underscores God's attentiveness to the plight of His people and the power of mediation.
* **"[with] good words":** The nature of God's response is immediately characterized as "good." These are not merely pleasant or polite words, but words that are inherently beneficial, favorable, and indicative of a positive change in divine disposition. They signify God's intention to act in a way that brings prosperity, blessing, and well-being to Jerusalem and Judah, contrasting with the previous period of divine indignation.
* **"[and] comfortable words":** Complementing "good words," these are words of solace, compassion, and reassurance. They are designed to alleviate the deep-seated discouragement and distress felt by the post-exilic community. This phrase emphasizes God's empathetic heart, His desire to heal the wounds of judgment, and His commitment to restoring peace and hope to His people. The repetition of "words" (H1697) highlights the significance and dual nature of the divine message.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 1:13 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the double use of "words" (Hebrew: _dābār_). This repetition serves to emphasize the nature and power of God's communication: His message is not just a single utterance but a comprehensive declaration of both "good" and "comfortable" intentions, reinforcing the certainty and richness of the divine promise. Furthermore, there is subtle **Personification** in "the LORD answered," attributing human-like communication to God, making His response feel direct and personal. The angel acts as a **Mediator** or **Intercessor**, a common motif in prophetic literature, bridging the gap between divine will and human experience, and highlighting the importance of prayer and divine responsiveness. The entire verse functions as a moment of **Dramatic Turn**, shifting the narrative from the angel's lament over desolation to God's immediate and gracious promise of restoration, building anticipation for the subsequent visions.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 1:13 is a powerful testament to God's unchanging character of compassion and faithfulness, even in the aftermath of His righteous judgment. It reveals that while God disciplines His people, His ultimate desire is always to restore, comfort, and bless. This verse provides a crucial theological anchor, demonstrating that divine wrath is not eternal, and God's mercy triumphs over judgment. It underscores the active role of divine communication in bringing hope and direction to a discouraged people, affirming that God's words are not empty but carry the power to bring about the reality they declare. The Lord's response to intercession also highlights the importance of prayer and the divine willingness to respond to the cries of His servants on behalf of His people.

* [Isaiah 40:1](/isaiah/40-1 "Isaiah 40:1 - Comfort Ye My People"): "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God." This verse from Isaiah, written before the exile, anticipates the very comfort Zechariah 1:13 delivers, showing God's consistent promise of solace.
* [Lamentations 3:31-32](/lamentations/3-31-32 "Lamentations 3:31-32 - God's Compassion Endures"): "For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies." This passage perfectly encapsulates the theological truth of Zechariah 1:13, affirming God's enduring compassion after a period of grief.
* [2 Corinthians 1:3-4](/2_corinthians/1-3-4 "2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - God of All Comfort"): "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." This New Testament passage extends the concept of divine comfort to believers in Christ, demonstrating its timeless relevance.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 1:13 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating seasons of difficulty, delayed hopes, or feelings of abandonment. It reminds us that even when circumstances seem bleak or when we are experiencing the consequences of past failings, God's heart is moved with compassion. His "good words and comfortable words" are a divine assurance that His disposition towards us is ultimately one of grace, restoration, and peace. We are called to lean into these promises, trusting that the Lord hears our cries, and the intercession of others on our behalf, and that He desires to bring healing and renewal. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of hope, knowing that God's promises are steadfast and His comfort is real, empowering us to persevere with faith in His ultimate plan for our well-being and the flourishing of His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking "good words and comfortable words" from the Lord?**
* **How does Zechariah 1:13 encourage you about God's character, especially concerning His response to human suffering or past failures?**
* **What role do you believe intercession (praying for others) plays in receiving God's "good words and comfortable words" for yourself or your community?**

### FAQ

**Who is "the angel that talked with me" in this verse?**

Answer: In Zechariah 1:13, "the angel that talked with me" refers to the interpreting angel (often called the "angel of the Lord" or "the angel who spoke with me") who serves as Zechariah's guide throughout the first six of his eight nocturnal visions. This angel is distinct from the "angel of the LORD" mentioned in [Zechariah 1:11-12](/zechariah/1-11-12 "Zechariah 1:11-12 - The Angel of the Lord and the Horsemen"), who intercedes on behalf of Jerusalem. The interpreting angel's role is to explain the meaning of the visions to Zechariah, making him a crucial figure in the prophet's understanding and communication of God's message to the returned exiles.

**Why are God's words specifically described as "good" and "comfortable"?**

Answer: God's words are described as "good" (Hebrew: _ṭôwb_) because they are inherently beneficial, favorable, and promise prosperity and blessing. They signify a turning point from judgment to grace, assuring the people of God's positive disposition towards their future. They are "comfortable" (Hebrew: _nichûwm_) because they offer solace, compassion, and reassurance to a people who were deeply discouraged and suffering from the aftermath of exile and the slow progress of rebuilding. This dual description emphasizes that God's message is not just a promise of future prosperity but also an immediate balm for their present distress, providing both hope and healing. These words counter the despair and desolation, promising divine intervention and restoration, much like the comfort offered in [Isaiah 40:1-2](/isaiah/40-1-2 "Isaiah 40:1-2 - Comfort for Jerusalem").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 1:13, with its promise of "good words and comfortable words" from the Lord, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment of God's comforting presence and the ultimate source of divine assurance for humanity. Just as the Lord answered the angel's intercession for Jerusalem, so too does God respond to the intercession of His Son, Jesus, who "ever liveth to make intercession" for us (cf. [Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Intercession")). The "comfortable words" of Zechariah are fully realized in Christ, who invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest and solace (cf. [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, All Who Are Weary")). Through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, Jesus brings the ultimate "good words" of salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life, transforming God's indignation into grace and peace. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised as the "Comforter" or "Helper" (cf. [John 14:16](/john/14-16 "John 14:16 - The Promise of the Holy Spirit")), continues to minister God's comfortable words to believers, assuring them of His presence and guiding them into all truth. Thus, the divine comfort and restoration promised in Zechariah find their perfect and enduring reality in the person and work of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 29:10

For thus saith the LORD, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Isaiah 40:1

¶ Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Isaiah 40:2

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.

Zechariah 1:14

So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

Zechariah 1:16

Therefore thus saith the LORD; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it, saith the LORD of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 30:10

¶ Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make [him] afraid.

Jeremiah 30:22

And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.