theWord Module Download:
Download Verse-by-Verse Commentary Lessons on Zechariah

• What is theWord? How do I view theWord Modules?

Author:
Eric Hall and others...

theWord Version:
3.x - 4.x

Tab Name:
Lessons_Zechariah

Module Identifier:
uc_20250905063000_676988

Great Verse-by-Verse Commentary on the Book of Zechariah.
This Commentary Module contains Verse-by-Verse Notes by
Eric Hall. Also includes expanded Book Notes (Zechariah) by
Eric Hall and other preachers. The Chapter Notes, in addition
to featuring Commentary by Hall, also feature Commentary by
Ken Kercheville of Palm Beach, Florida. Along with the Chapter
Notes, you will find the Top Ten Lessons for each Chapter
courtesy of the website at https://www.biblehub.com.


Here is a Sample of some of the Commentary from one of the
chapters below. This sample is taken from the Chapter Nine
of the Chapter Notes for Zechariah 9 only:

Zechariah Chapter 9
Zechariah 9 – The Coming Judgments
The conquering path of Alexander the Great (Zech 9:1-8)
In the first eight verses Zechariah prophesies of the coming
judgments upon the nations and cities that surround the land
of Israel. In verse 1 we see the burden of the word of the Lord
is against Damascus. In verse 2 judgments are pronounced
against Hamath, Tyre, and Sidon. In verses 5-6 further judgments
are declared against the land of Philistia, including the cities of
Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod. However, while all of these
nations are being judged, verse 8 tells us that God will camp at
His house, being a reference to the temple or the whole city of
Jerusalem. Historically we can find out that these events were
fulfilled in the conquests of Alexander the Great. Alexander was
the first to be able to penetrate and destroy Tyre. Tyre had been
able to withstand a five year siege from the Assyrians and a 13
year siege by the Babylonians. Because of these military
successes, Tyre and Sidon thought themselves to be very wise
and unconquerable (vs. 2). However, Alexander the Great was
able to conquer the city in seven months, fulfilling the prophecies
found here and in Ezekiel 26:12-14. Alexander the Great was
able to conquer the known world rather swiftly, as prophesied
by Daniel in Daniel 8.

How could Jerusalem be spared in all of this? Josephus records
for us an interesting story: When Alexander was besieging Tyre
he sent a letter to the high priest, who lived in Jerusalem,
requesting him to send him assistance and provisions. The priest
declined to do this because he had sworn an oath to King Darius
of Persia. This infuriated Alexander and he was determined to
attack and destroy Jerusalem once he finished with the coastal
cities. Once these cities were conquered, Alexander and his
armies made their way to Jerusalem. The high priest was
terrified and ordered the Jews to make sacrifices to God
asking for deliverance. After the sacrifice, God spoke to the high
priest while in his sleep to adorn the city with wreaths and open
the gates of the city to meet the coming invaders. The people
were to be dressed in white garments and the priests in their
robes. When Alexander saw the multitudes in whites garments
and the priests in their full attire, he approached alone and
prostrated himself before God and the high priest. Alexander’s
men were astonished at this and demanded to know why he
bowed down to the high priest. Alexander responded, “It was not
before him that I prostrated myself but the God of whom he has
the honor to be high priest, for it was he whom I saw in my sleep
dressed as he is now, when I was at Dior in Macedonia. As I was
considering with myself how I might become master of Asia, he
urged me not to hesitate but to cross over confidently, for he
himself would lead my army and give over to me the empire of
the Persians. Since, therefore, I have beheld no one else in such
robes, and on seeing him now I am reminded of the vision and
the exhortation, I believe that I have made this expedition under
divine guidance and that I shall defeat Darius and destroy the
power of the Persians.”

Of course, most scholars are skeptical of this account. But we
must remember that God talked directly to Nebuchadnezzar
concerning his invasions of Judah and the conquering of the
land, which is seen in Daniel 4. God also spoke to king Cyrus
of the Persians and moved him to free the Jews from captivity
and allow them to return to the Jerusalem to rebuild. It is
extremely possible, if not probable, that God also moved
Alexander, according to prophecy, to conquer the world but to
leave Jerusalem alone. All the other surrounding Gentile cities
were destroyed, but not the Jewish cities in Judah.

The arrival of the conquering King (Zechariah 9:9-11)
Now Zechariah declares a time for rejoicing for “your king is
coming to you” (vs. 9). There are four descriptions giving to
the coming king: righteous, bringing salvation, humble, and
riding on a donkey. The people would be able to realize two
things about these descriptions. First, that this is a clear
reference to the Messiah, because he is called the king and
he is bring salvation. Second, these are not the typical
descriptions of a king. Zechariah is describing the perfect
king. This king would rule in righteousness and would be
humble and gentle. This king will offer salvation and
deliverance to his subjects. But there is another interesting
description given concerning the king. He will ride of a
donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. One would imagine
that there would be some pondering of the meaning of this
description. Matthew 21:1-8 enlightens us as Matthew gives
his commentary of this prophecy.

We often note that this would not be the usual glory and
majesty that would be expected for a king entering the city
of Jerusalem. However, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a
donkey so that the people would see this event and would
hopefully be mindful of the prophecy He was fulfilling. This
event was to a sign of Jesus’ fulfillment and becoming their
king. According to verse 11, these things would be done as
a remembrance of the covenant God had made with His
people.

The warring during the Maccabees (Zechariah 9:12-17)
Zechariah returns to describing the events that will lead up to
the coming of the king. In verse 13 we are told that the sons
of Zion would go to war against the sons of Greece. The
fulfillment of these words seems to come in the time of the
Maccabees around the time of 165 B.C. This is in keeping
with the prophecies of Daniel, which speaks of the unrest
that would take place during the time of Antiochus IV
Epiphanes. Judas Maccabees won many stunning victories
against Antiochus’ generals and achieve independence for
the Jews for about 100 years until Roman rule appeared.
Verses 14-17 declare that God will be with His people.
Those who are the Lord’s will be blessed and will flourish.
But because of the language that is given in this text, the
true fulfillment of these things must be found spiritually. As
we have noted in many times before, some prophecies
have a partial physical fulfillment as a token or guarantee
that the complete promise will be fulfilled. God will remain
with His people and will bring the Messiah as a deliverer
for the people.

Warning against false shepherds to come(Zech 9:15-17)
The woes are now pronounced against the worthless and
foolish shepherds of God’s people. To be a shepherd of
God’s people is a high calling with great responsibilities.
I believe this has practical lessons for us today. We need
to see the serious charge to those who are leaders of the
flock. I believe this is applied not only to those who are fill
the office of the eldership, but all who are teachers and
leaders of the people. We must lead one another in the
proper direction. If we do not, there are grave consequences
that await us by the hand of the Lord. I can think of many
shepherds and leaders who will be held accountable for
their poor decisions and poor leadership of the flock. We
must see the responsibility we hold before God as those
who lead and are perceived as leaders in this congregation.
Let us work to live up to the goals that God has set for us.

Top 10 Lessons from Zechariah 9
1. The Promise of a King
Zechariah 9:9 proclaims, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of
Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See,
your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble
and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
This verse foretells the coming of Jesus Christ, the
humble King who brings salvation. It reminds us that true
leadership is marked by humility and righteousness, not
by power or force. As we navigate our daily lives, let us
emulate this humility, serving others with grace and love.
2. The Power of Prophecy
The chapter is a testament to the power of prophecy,
showing us that God's word is reliable and true.
Zechariah's prophecies were fulfilled in the New
Testament, reinforcing the consistency and authority of
Scripture. This encourages us to trust in God's promises,
knowing that what He has spoken will come to pass. Let
this assurance guide you through life's uncertainties,
anchoring your faith in His unchanging word.
3. God's Sovereignty Over Nations
Zechariah 9:1-8 describes God's judgment on the nations
surrounding Israel, demonstrating His sovereignty over
all creation. "For the LORD of Hosts has purposed it, and
who can thwart Him?" (Isa. 14:27). This reminds us that
no matter how chaotic the world may seem, God is in
control. We can find peace in His sovereignty, knowing
that He orchestrates all things for His glory and our good.
4. The Call to Rejoice
The call to "Rejoice greatly" in Zechariah 9:9 is a powerful
reminder to maintain a spirit of joy, regardless of the
circumstances. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit and a testament
to our faith in Christ. By choosing joy, we reflect the hope
and peace that comes from knowing Jesus, drawing
others to the light of His love.
5. The Promise of Peace
Zechariah 9:10 speaks of a time when God will "proclaim
peace to the nations." This peace is not just the absence
of conflict but the presence of God's wholeness and His
harmony. In a world filled with strife, we are called to be
peacemakers, spreading the message of reconciliation
through Christ. Let us be ambassadors of His peace,
fostering unity and understanding in our communities.
6. The Strength of the Covenant
In Zechariah 9:11, God reminds His people of the "blood
of your covenant," pointing to the ultimate covenant
through Christ's sacrifice. This covenant is unbreakable,
offering us eternal security and hope. As we live out
our faith, let us remember the strength of this covenant,
which empowers us to overcome challenges and live
victoriously.
7. The Hope of Restoration
Zechariah 9:12 calls us to "Return to your stronghold, O
prisoners of hope." This verse speaks to the promise
of restoration and redemption. No matter how far we
may stray, God invites us back to His loving embrace.
Our hope is not in our circumstances but in the steadfast
love of the Lord, who restores and renews us.
8. The Assurance of Victory
The chapter assures us of God's ultimate victory over
evil. Zechariah 9:15 declares, "The LORD of Hosts will
defend them." This victory is not just a future promise
but a present reality through Christ's resurrection. As
believers, we can live confidently, knowing that we are
more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
9. The Call to Be a Light
Zechariah 9:16 describes God's people as "the flock of
His people," whom He will save. As His flock, we are
called to be a light in the darkness, reflecting His glory
to the world. Let us shine brightly, sharing the good
news of Jesus with those around us, and drawing them
into the fold of His love.
10. The Joy of Salvation
Finally, Zechariah 9:17 exclaims, "How lovely they will
be, and how beautiful! Grain will make the young men
flourish, and new wine, the young women." This
imagery of abundance and beauty points to the joy of
salvation. In Christ, we find true fulfillment and joy, a
joy that overflows and impacts every area of our lives.
Let us celebrate this salvation daily, living as joyful
witnesses of His grace.

Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came
to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus
sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go into the
village in front of you, and immediately you will
find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them
and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to
you, you shall say, ‘The Lord needs them,’ and he
will send them at once.” 4 This took place to fulfill
what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 “Say to
the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to
you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt,
the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matt 21:1–5 ESV)

When the New Testament authors quote prophecies
from the Hebrew Scriptures, they are not doing so as
a proof text. They are not plucking verses out of
context and saying, “See Jesus did that.” Rather, the
quote is intended to take our minds back to the original
prophecy as a whole and understand that the whole
prophetic message is being recalled and fulfilled. This
action of Jesus is so important that all four gospels
record this event. You will notice in your cross-
references that this action that Jesus takes comes
from Zechariah 9. The goal of the prophet Zechariah
is to encourage the people to be faithful to the Lord
and do the work because God has great things
promised for their future. Zechariah gives another
picture of what God is going to do for us and for
the world when the Christ comes.

Judgment on Nations (Zechariah 9:1-8)
The first eight verses of Zechariah 9 reveal that
God is ready to judge the nations. Syria, Tyre,
Sidon, and Philistia are some of the powers that
God says he will bring his judgment against.
Now it is easy to quickly pass over these kinds
of prophetic passages because we can mentally
think that it is just another list of judgments. But
these declarations hold important messages for
us. First, are the powers of Syria, Tyre, Sidon, or
Philistia still powers now? No, they are not. Jesus
riding into Jerusalem was to show that he is in
control and holds power over all nations. He will
put an end to wicked nations on his time schedule.
No nation is getting away with their sins. Jesus
sees what all nations, powers, and peoples are
doing. These verses show that the Lord sees
every little thing they are doing. Powerful nations
today are nothing before the Lord. Jesus will judge
every nation, including our own.

Second, there is something amazing that is
mentioned in this prophecy of judgment. God’s
goal is not to judge a bunch of people. There is
purpose in all that the Lord does. As the Lord
describes these judgments, look at what he says
at the end of verse 7. As Gentile nations are
judged God says, “It too shall be a remnant for
our God; it shall be like a clan in Judah, and
Ekron shall be like the Jebusites.”

Listen to this. When Jesus rides into Jerusalem,
the message is that the remnant is going to include
the Gentiles, even the Philistines, which is
staggering. But they are going to be like a clan in
Judah. They are going to be like the Jebusites in
Jerusalem (cf. 2 Samuel 24:18-24). The outsiders
are going to belong as if they were born into the
tribe of Judah. They are going to belong as natural
Israelites. They are going to belong as the people
of God. The fall of nations, wars, and difficulties are
to get people to look to the Lord and belong to him.

The King Arrives (Zechariah 9:9-10)
This brings us to verse 9 which is quoted in Matt 21,
as we read at the beginning of the lesson. This
moment where Jesus enters into Jerusalem is to
tell everyone that we are witnesses a victory ride to
take his seat on his throne. Your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious. Your king comes to you,
having salvation in his hand to give. But this king
does not follow the behaviors of a proud military
hero. Rather, our king rides into the city with
humility. He does not ride in on a war horse,
proclaiming his own greatness. Rather, he rides
in with humility, righteous and having salvation.

Look at what this means in verse 10. He is coming
to end the war and bring peace. He is going to rule
not only the promised land, but the whole earth.
Do we realize that this is what Jesus came to do
and is doing? Jesus has taken his rightful place on
the throne. He is speaking peace to the nation (9:10).
But that peace comes by submitting to his will and
rule. Otherwise, judgment comes. This is what the
New Testament is constantly reminding us about.

Then comes the end, when he delivers the
kingdom to God the Father after destroying every
rule and every authority and power. For he must
reign until he has put all his enemies under his
feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
(1 Corinthians 15:24–26 ESV)

He must reign until every rule, authority, and power
is placed firmly under the feet of Jesus. His arrival
into Jerusalem on a donkey is a pivotal moment
because he is going to lay down his life in this city
to destroy every power that exists.

He exercised this power in Christ by raising
him from the dead and seating him at his right
hand in the heavens— far above every ruler
and authority, power and dominion, and every
title given, not only in this age but also in the
one to come. And he subjected everything
under his feet and appointed him as head
over everything for the church, which is his
body, the fullness of the one who fills all
things in every way. (Ephesians 1:20–23 CSB)

Your Hope and Restoration (Zechariah 9:11-17)
So what does this mean for you and for me? The
rest of this chapter details what we are to see
in our lives because our king has come and has
been enthroned. Look at verse 11. “Because of
the blood of my covenant with you…” Hearing
these words should click something within us.
Jesus rode into Jerusalem in humility on a donkey.
Days later he will gather his disciples together and
established what we call the Lord’s Supper. Listen
to the words of Jesus:

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks
he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you,
for this is my blood of the covenant, which is
poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
(Matthew 26:27–28 ESV)

The covenant has been established through the
blood of his Son. Zechariah says that because of
the blood of my covenant, I will set the prisoners
free. Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope,
because God is announcing to you that he has
restored double to you. The apostle Paul tells us
that we are slaves to sin (cf. Romans 6). But
through the blood of the covenant of Jesus,
you are no longer enslaved to sin. You can be set
free from the power of sin. You have been
restored to rightful place before God. You have
been restored to freedom. You have been
restored in God’s kingdom and God’s house.
You have been transformed from useless to the
Lord to useful to him. God is restoring his image
in you.

The rest of the chapter pictures God’s hope,
peace, and victory for his people. God is going
to fight for his people. God will defeat our enemies.
God will protect his people. Listen to the words of
verse 16. “On that day the Lord their God will
save them, as the flock of his people; for like
the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his
land.”

You have been saved from your prison to belong
to God’s flock. Now we are shine on his land like
jewels of a crown. When Jesus came into
Jerusalem on a donkey, this action was declaring
yourpurpose in life has been redeemed. Now you
are not slaves to sin but you are his sheep and you
are to shine in the world like jewels in a crown.

All of this imagery reminds us that we are engaged
in a spiritual battle. The kingdom of Christ is
standing against the kingdoms, nations, powers,
and rulers of this world that do not submit to Christ’s
authority.

For although we live in the flesh, we do not
wage war according to the flesh, since the
weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh,
but are powerful through God for the
demolition of strongholds. We demolish
arguments and every proud thing that is
raised up against the knowledge of God,
and we take every thought captive to obey
Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3–5 CSB)

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to stand against the schemes of the
devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and
blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over
this present darkness, against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore
take up the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand firm. (Eph. 6:11–13 ESV)

We shine as the people of God against the present
darkness. We are not accepting the arguments and
strongholds of our culture but resisting them. We are
demolishing those arguments with the armor God
has given to us. The only weapon we use is the word
of God made powerful by God himself. We use truth,
righteousness, faith, salvation, and the gospel to repel
these false narratives that the world gives for why we
are here and how to live our lives. Their worldview and
narrative are what puts us back into prison and removes
our hope. Because of the blood of the covenant we
have been set free from these false arguments and
now can shine like jewels in the land, looking for the
hope that is to be fully revealed when our king comes
again.

Then one of the seven angels, who had held the
seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues,
came and spoke with me: “Come, I will show you
the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” He then carried
me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain
and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming
down out of heaven from God, arrayed with God’s
glory. Her radiance was like a precious jewel, like
a jasper stone, clear as crystal. (Rev 21:9–11 CSB)

This is us, the people of God, shining like a precious
jewel, displaying the glory of God to the world. Shine
to the world because God has redeemed you through
the blood of the covenant.

djmarko53