Zechariah 13:3

And it shall come to pass, [that] when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

And it shall come to pass, that when any {H376} shall yet prophesy {H5012}, then his father {H1} and his mother {H517} that begat {H3205} him shall say {H559} unto him, Thou shalt not live {H2421}; for thou speakest {H1696} lies {H8267} in the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}: and his father {H1} and his mother {H517} that begat {H3205} him shall thrust {H1856} him through when he prophesieth {H5012}.

so that if anyone continues to prophesy, his own father and mother who brought him into the world will tell him, 'You cannot continue to live, because you are speaking lies in the name of ADONAI'; then his own father and mother who brought him into the world will stab him to death.

And if anyone still prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will say to him, ‘You shall not remain alive, because you have spoken falsely in the name of the LORD.’ When he prophesies, his father and mother who bore him will pierce him through.

And it shall come to pass that, when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of Jehovah; and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

Commentary on Zechariah 13:3 (KJV)

Zechariah 13:3 delivers a stark and severe warning against false prophecy, illustrating the extreme measures God would take to purify His people. This verse is part of a broader prophetic vision concerning the cleansing and restoration of Israel.

Context

This verse follows Zechariah's prophecies about a future day of purification for Jerusalem and Judah. Immediately preceding it, Zechariah 13:1 speaks of a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, symbolizing spiritual cleansing. Zechariah 13:2 then declares the removal of idols and false prophets from the land. Zechariah 13:3 describes the radical extent of this spiritual purging, where even family ties would not prevent the condemnation of those who spoke lies in the Lord's name. This reflects the severity of Old Testament law concerning false prophets, which mandated death for such a transgression (e.g., Deuteronomy 13:5 and Deuteronomy 18:20).

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment on Falsehood: The verse underscores God's absolute intolerance for spiritual deception and blasphemy. Speaking lies "in the name of the LORD" is a profound violation of His holiness.
  • Radical Purification: The imagery of parents condemning and executing their own child highlights the extreme measures necessary to eradicate spiritual corruption. It signifies that loyalty to God's truth would supersede all earthly bonds.
  • Severity of God's Law: This passage reinforces the Old Testament principle that false prophecy was a capital offense, a direct affront to God's authority and integrity.
  • Consequences of Deceit: It serves as a powerful warning about the grave consequences for those who presume to speak for God without His authorization or who intentionally mislead His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "thrust him through" (מְדֻקָּר - *meduqqar*) signifies a fatal, piercing blow, emphasizing the definitive and uncompromising nature of the judgment. The term "prophesy" (נָבָא - *nava*) normally refers to speaking under divine inspiration, but here it is explicitly qualified by "speakest lies," indicating a perversion of a sacred calling.

Practical Application

While the literal application of this verse's punishment is not practiced today, its spiritual principles remain vital:

  • Discernment is Crucial: Believers are called to exercise great discernment, testing all teachings against the standard of God's Word (1 John 4:1).
  • Gravity of False Teaching: The passage reminds us of the severe spiritual danger posed by false teachers who distort God's truth (Matthew 7:15).
  • Commitment to Truth: It encourages a radical commitment to divine truth, where even personal relationships should not compromise one's allegiance to God and His commandments.

Zechariah 13:3 powerfully communicates God's unwavering commitment to the purity of His worship and the integrity of His message, demonstrating that spiritual falsehood will ultimately face His decisive judgment.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 13:6

    ¶ If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;

  • Deuteronomy 13:11

    And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.

  • Deuteronomy 18:20

    But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

  • Matthew 10:37

    He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

  • Ezekiel 14:9

    And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

  • Jeremiah 23:34

    And [as for] the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, The burden of the LORD, I will even punish that man and his house.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:16

    ¶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.

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