Zechariah 8:14-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Zechariah 8:9-17

God, by the prophet, here gives further assurances of the mercy he had in store for Judah and Jerusalem. Here is line upon line for their comfort, as before there was for their conviction. These verses contain strong encouragements with reference to the difficulties they now laboured under. And we may observe, I. Who they were to whom these encouragements did belong?to those who, in obedience to the call of God by his prophets, applied in good earnest to the building of the temple (Zech. 8:9):... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:14

For thus saith the Lord of hosts ,.... In order to assure them of the truth of what he promised, he observes the fulfilment of what he had threatened, he being as true and faithful in the one as in the other: As I thought to punish you : determined to do it, by suffering them to be carried captive: when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts ; by their immorality, idolatry, and contempt of his prophets: and I repented not ; the Targum adds, "of my word"; of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:15

So again ,.... Or "so I am returned" F14 כן שבתי "sic conversus sum", Pagninus, Montanus, Calvin; "ita conversus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "reversus sum", Burkius. , as in Zechariah 8:3 , have I thought in these days to do well unto Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah ; by bestowing the above mentioned blessings on them; and as Jehovah has thought, so it comes to pass, and as he has purposed, so it stands; whatever he determines shall be, as for evil, so for good,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:16

These are the things that ye shall do ,.... Which were duties incumbent on them, and which it became them to perform, under a sense of the favours bestowed on them, to show their gratitude to God, and that they might glorify him: Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour ; not using deceit, prevarication, and lying, Ephesians 4:25 and it becomes every man under the Gospel dispensation, according to the gift he has received, to speak, publish, and declare the truth of the Gospel,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Zechariah 8:17

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour ,.... See Gill on Zechariah 7:10 hatred without a cause was a governing vice under the second temple, and Jarchi says was the cause of the destruction of it; see John 15:25 , and love no false oath ; whereby the character and property of a fellow creature are hurt; nor any vain one, which the Jews were addicted to, Matthew 5:34 , for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord ; as being contrary to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:16

Speak ye every man the truth - See Zechariah 7:9 , Zechariah 7:10 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:14

Verse 14 The Prophet confirms the truth in the preceding verse, when he said that there would be a wholly different lot to the Jews, as they would in every way be blessed. He shows the cause of the change; for God would begin to favor them, who had been before displeased with them. We indeed know that the Holy Spirit everywhere calls men before God’s tribunal, that they may know that no adversity happens to them, except through their sins. So also in this place Zechariah reminds us, that God... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:15

Verse 15 Now at the end of the verse the Prophet reminds us of the application of his doctrine, even to encourage the Jews, that they might go on with alacrity in the work of building the temple. But we have said that we ought to be armed with God’s promises, so that we may with courageous hearts follow wherever he may call us; for we shall all presently faint except we find that the hand of God is present with us. Since then we are by nature slothful and tender, and since inconstancy often... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:16

Verse 16 Zechariah exhorts them here to true repentance, by showing that more things were to be hoped for than what they saw with their eyes; and at the same time he shows that it was not enough for them assiduously to build the city and the temple; but he requires other things, even that they should observe integrity and justice towards one another. We indeed know that the Jews were so given to their own ceremonies, that they thought that holiness existed in them: and this error Zechariah had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Zechariah 8:17

Verse 17 He afterwards adds, And think not evil every one against his friend. Here the Prophet not only condemns open wrongs, but also the hidden purposes of evil. We hence learn, that the law was not only given to restrain men as it were by a bridle, and that it not only contains a rule of life as to outward duties, but that it also rules their hearts before God and angels. The law is indeed really spiritual; and extremely gross and foolish are they who think that they satisfy the law of... read more

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