The Non Messianic Passages Series

The Future Sign of the Cessation of False Prophets and Their False Prophecy (Zechariah 13:6)

Paul MacDonald RN MA Dipl

This verse speaks of a man wounded in the house of friends. Taken by itself, many have immediately (without looking into the matter), interpret this as a Messianic reference, because of the wounding of this person in the house of his friends.

The Cessation of Prophecy

However, the context is the cessation of prophecy (verse 4), and the man is identified as a farmer and apparently a slave laborer (verse 5).

How can this text possibly fit that of the Messiah? And what has he got to do with being sold to toil in tilling the ground?

Who is the Injured Person in this Text?

So, if it is not Messianic, who is the injured man? And, why was he hurt at the house of his friends?

"Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares Yahweh of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones"

The Land (Israel) Being Cleansed of Idolatry

It is so important to observe that the verse has a connection with the context. In verse 1) and 2) we see that God will cleanse the land from idolatry and false prophets.

This will be accepted by the Jews, as the law of and judgement of God, for NO false prophets will be allowed to prophecy any longer. If any do make any attempt to make prophetic announcements, the people will automatically identify it as a lie, and they will proceed to judge and to act on it immediately.

This would inevitably cause prophets to "hide" their prophetic identifications. The cloak made of animal hair was a clear outfit for the prophet.

The False Prophets Hide From Their Followers

The false prophet will then hide from his followers by saying that the scars in his hands are caused by the hard work on the farm - keep in mind he is trying to save his life since he is a false prophet. He is then confronted with the evidence of his trait, scars on his hands. This was evidence enough to show that he was a false prophet.

The False Prophets Who Cut Themselves On Mount Carmel

If you recall Elijah's confrontation with false prophets on Mount Carmel, the false prophets would "cut themselves" to "sacrifice their blood" and "get their god's attention" - apparently a much practiced ritual by false prophet. This is why he/they will have scars on his hands.

On scrutiny, it is impossible to connect this passage to the Messiah (so called).

Dr Paul MacDonald RN MA Dipl ©