Zechariah 4:13

KJV

And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these [be]? And I said, No, my lord.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he answered {H559} me and said {H559}, Knowest {H3045} thou not what these be? And I said {H559}, No, my lord {H113}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He replied, "Don't you know what they are?" I answered, "No, my Lord."

Berean Standard Bible

“Do you not know what these are?” he inquired. “No, my lord,” I replied.

American Standard Version

And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these are? And I said, No, my lord.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 4:13 captures a pivotal moment in the prophet's fourth night vision, highlighting his honest admission of ignorance regarding the symbolic imagery he has just witnessed. This exchange between Zechariah and the angelic interpreter serves as a crucial transition, underscoring humanity's inherent need for divine revelation to comprehend God's profound purposes and mysterious ways, setting the stage for the angel's subsequent explanation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the fourth of Zechariah's eight night visions, which span [Zechariah 1:7-6:15](/zechariah/1-7-6-15 "Zechariah's Night Visions"). Specifically, [Zechariah 4](/zechariah/4 "Zechariah 4 - The Golden Lampstand and Two Olive Trees") describes the vision of a golden lampstand flanked by two olive trees. The preceding verses ([Zechariah 4:1-3](/zechariah/4-1-3 "Zechariah 4:1-3 - The Vision Unfolds")) detail the appearance of this intricate imagery, prompting Zechariah's initial question in [Zechariah 4:4](/zechariah/4-4 "Zechariah 4:4 - Zechariah's Question"). The angel's response in [Zechariah 4:5](/zechariah/4-5 "Zechariah 4:5 - Angel's Initial Question") already hints at the prophet's lack of understanding. Verse 13 reiterates this dynamic, with the angel directly asking if Zechariah comprehends the vision, and Zechariah explicitly confessing his ignorance. This dialogue structure builds anticipation for the divine explanation that follows in [Zechariah 4:14](/zechariah/4-14 "Zechariah 4:14 - The Two Anointed Ones").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah prophesied during the post-exilic period, around 520 BC, roughly 16 years after the first wave of Jewish exiles returned from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (high priest). The primary task before them was the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had stalled due to opposition and discouragement (as seen in [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding")). The people were disheartened, and their faith was wavering. God raised up prophets like Zechariah and Haggai to encourage them, reminding them of His presence, power, and ultimate plan for Jerusalem's restoration. The visions, though symbolic, were intended to convey divine assurance and empower the leaders and the people to complete the Temple, signifying God's continued covenant faithfulness and future glory for His people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Zechariah and biblical prophecy. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation and Human Dependence**. Zechariah's inability to understand the vision on his own underscores that spiritual truths and prophetic insights are not grasped by human intellect alone but require divine unveiling. This is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, where prophets often need angelic or divine interpretation (e.g., [Daniel 8:15-16](/daniel/8-15-16 "Daniel 8:15-16 - Gabriel Interprets the Vision")). Secondly, it emphasizes the **Role of the Angelic Interpreter**, who serves as God's chosen messenger to mediate understanding to His prophets and, by extension, to His people. This highlights God's desire for His people to comprehend His will and purposes, even when presented in complex symbolism. Finally, Zechariah's question and answer act as a **Literary Device for Building Anticipation**. By explicitly stating his ignorance, the prophet creates a narrative tension that compels the reader to await the crucial explanation, signaling the profound significance of the vision's meaning, particularly concerning the two "anointed ones" in [Zechariah 4:14](/zechariah/4-14 "Zechariah 4:14 - The Two Anointed Ones").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **answered (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** H559 (ʼâmar) is a primitive root meaning "to say," used with great latitude. In this context, it signifies the angel's verbal response to Zechariah's previous inquiry or perhaps a rhetorical question designed to prompt Zechariah's admission. It denotes communication, a direct address from the divine messenger to the prophet.
* **Knowest (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** H3045 (yâdaʻ) is a primitive root meaning "to know," properly "to ascertain by seeing." It encompasses a wide range of senses, including comprehension, recognition, and understanding. The angel's question, "Knowest thou not," probes Zechariah's intellectual and spiritual grasp of the vision's meaning, highlighting the distinction between merely seeing and truly understanding. Zechariah's negative response confirms his lack of such comprehensive knowledge.
* **my lord (Hebrew, _ʼâdôwn'_):: ** H113 (ʼâdôwn) derives from an unused root meaning "to rule," signifying a sovereign, controller, master, or owner. Zechariah's address of the angel as "my lord" is a respectful acknowledgment of the angel's authority and superior knowledge, reinforcing the hierarchical relationship between the prophet and the divine messenger, and by extension, between humanity and God's revealed truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these [be]?"**: This clause presents the angelic interpreter's direct and probing question to Zechariah. The angel's query is not merely informational but serves to highlight Zechariah's current state of non-comprehension. The "these" refers specifically to the golden lampstand and the two olive trees that Zechariah has just observed in the vision. The question functions as a catalyst, forcing Zechariah to articulate his lack of understanding, which is a prerequisite for receiving divine revelation. It underscores the principle that God often reveals truth to those who acknowledge their need for it.
* **"And I said, No, my lord."**: Zechariah's concise and humble response is profoundly significant. His "No" is an honest admission of his inability to decipher the complex symbolism presented to him. By addressing the angel as "my lord," Zechariah expresses respect, submission, and a recognition of the angel's authority as God's messenger. This humble posture demonstrates his readiness to receive instruction and his dependence on divine guidance, setting the stage for the angel to fully unveil the meaning of the vision in the subsequent verses. It is a model of intellectual humility before the mysteries of God.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Zechariah 4:13 is **Dialogue**. The exchange between the angelic interpreter and Zechariah is central to the narrative progression, creating a dynamic interaction that drives the revelation forward. The angel's question, while seemingly a straightforward inquiry, functions as a **Rhetorical Question** in the sense that it is designed to elicit a specific admission from Zechariah, rather than genuinely seeking new information from him. This serves to underscore Zechariah's human limitations and to build **Anticipation** for the divine explanation. By having Zechariah explicitly state his ignorance, the text heightens the reader's desire to know the meaning of the symbols, making the subsequent interpretation more impactful. This moment of admitted incomprehension also serves as a literary pause, allowing the profound significance of the upcoming revelation to resonate more deeply.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 4:13 profoundly illustrates the theological truth that true spiritual understanding originates from God, not from human ingenuity or intellectual prowess. Zechariah, though a prophet, could not independently decipher the divine vision. His humble admission, "No, my lord," is a testament to the necessity of divine illumination for comprehending God's ways and purposes. This dynamic highlights God's sovereign role as the revealer of truth and humanity's dependent posture as recipients of that revelation. It teaches us that spiritual knowledge is a gift, not an achievement, and that a humble, teachable spirit is essential for receiving it. This principle extends beyond prophetic visions to the understanding of Scripture and God's will in our lives, emphasizing our reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment.

* [Deuteronomy 29:29](/deuteronomy/29-29 "Descriptive Title")
* [1 Corinthians 2:10-14](/1_corinthians/2-10-14 "Descriptive Title")
* [John 16:13](/john/16-13 "Descriptive Title")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 4:13 offers a timeless and vital lesson for every believer: the pathway to deeper spiritual understanding often begins with the humble admission of our own ignorance. In a world that often values self-sufficiency and intellectual mastery, Zechariah's simple "No, my lord" stands as a powerful counter-cultural example. It reminds us that when we encounter passages in Scripture that perplex us, or when we face circumstances in life that seem inscrutable, our first and most appropriate response is not to pretend understanding or to rely solely on our own reasoning, but to humbly acknowledge our limitations and earnestly seek divine illumination. This verse encourages a posture of dependence on God's Spirit and His appointed means of revelation, whether through diligent study of His Word, the guidance of wise teachers, or direct prayer for discernment. It cultivates a teachable spirit, open to God's truth, recognizing that true wisdom is a gift from above.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your spiritual life or understanding of Scripture are you most tempted to pretend knowledge rather than admit ignorance?**
* **How does Zechariah's humble "No, my lord" challenge your approach to learning and seeking truth?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a more dependent and teachable spirit in your relationship with God?**
* **How does relying on the Holy Spirit's guidance (as Zechariah relied on the angelic interpreter) impact your pursuit of spiritual understanding?**

### FAQ
**Why was Zechariah unable to understand the vision, and what is the significance of his ignorance?**

Answer: Zechariah, despite being a prophet, could not understand the vision of the lampstand and olive trees because its meaning was symbolic and divinely veiled, requiring supernatural interpretation. His inability to comprehend it independently underscores a fundamental biblical principle: spiritual truths and God's deeper purposes are not accessible through human intellect alone but must be revealed by God. The significance of his ignorance is multi-faceted. Firstly, it highlights the **transcendence and mystery of God's ways**, which often exceed human comprehension. Secondly, it emphasizes the **necessity of divine revelation**; God desires to communicate His truth, but He does so on His terms and through His chosen channels (in this case, the angelic interpreter). Thirdly, Zechariah's humble admission, "No, my lord," serves as a **model of spiritual humility and dependence**. It demonstrates that acknowledging our limitations is a prerequisite for receiving deeper insight and that God reveals Himself to those who are teachable and reliant upon Him. This sets the stage for the crucial explanation that follows in [Zechariah 4:14](/zechariah/4-14 "Zechariah 4:14 - The Two Anointed Ones"), where the meaning of the vision is finally unveiled.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 4:13, with its portrayal of human ignorance awaiting divine revelation, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God communicated His truth progressively through prophets, dreams, and angelic interpreters, often leaving His people with partial understanding or veiled mysteries, as seen in Zechariah's experience. However, the New Testament proclaims that in Christ, the ultimate and complete revelation of God has come. As [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son") declares, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Jesus is not merely an interpreter, but the very Word of God made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the one who has fully revealed the Father because He is the only one who has seen Him ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God But the Son")). All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him ([Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2-3 "Colossians 2:2-3 - Christ, in Whom Are All Treasures of Wisdom")), and it is through His Spirit that believers are guided into all truth ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth Guides")). Thus, Zechariah's "No, my lord" is ultimately answered in the person of Christ, who illuminates our understanding and makes known the deep things of God, transforming our ignorance into true spiritual knowledge.

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

Zechariah 4:5

Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

Hebrews 5:11

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Hebrews 5:12

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.