Zechariah 13

Zechariah 13:1-9 . CLEANSING OF THE JEWS FROM SIN; ABOLITION OF IDOLATRY; THE SHEPHERD SMITTEN; THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND CUT OFF, EXCEPT A THIRD PART REFINED BY TRIALS.

1. Connected with the close of the twelfth chapter. The mourning penitents are here comforted.
fountain opened--It has been long opened, but then first it shall be so "to the house of David," &c. (representing all Israel) after their long and weary wanderings. Like Hagar in the wilderness they remain ignorant of the refreshment near them, until God "opens their eyes" ( Genesis 21:19 ) [MOORE]. It is not the fountain, but their eyes that need to be opened. It shall be a "fountain" ever flowing; not a laver needing constantly to be replenished with water, such as stood between the tabernacle and altar ( Exodus 30:18 ).
for sin . . . uncleanness--that is, judicial guilt and moral impurity. Thus justification and sanctification are implied in this verse as both flowing from the blood of Christ, not from ceremonial sacrifices ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 , Hebrews 9:13 Hebrews 9:14 , 1 John 1:7 ; compare Ezekiel 36:25 ). Sin in Hebrew is literally a missing the mark or way.

2. Consequences of pardon; not indolence, but the extirpation of sin.
names of . . . idols--Their very names were not to be mentioned; thus the Jews, instead of Mephibaal, said Mephibosheth (Bosheth meaning a contemptible thing) ( Exodus 23:13 , Deuteronomy 12:3 , Psalms 16:4 ).
out of the land--Judea's two great sins, idolatry and false prophecy, have long since ceased. But these are types of all sin (for example, covetousness, Ephesians 5:5 , a besetting sin of the Jews now). Idolatry, combined with the "spirit" of "Satan," is again to be incarnated in "the man of sin," who is to arise in Judea ( 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 ), and is to be "consumed with the Spirit of the Lord's mouth." Compare as to Antichrist's papal precursor, "seducing spirits . . . doctrines of devils," &c., 1 Timothy 4:1-3 2 Peter 2:1 .
the unclean spirit--Hebrew, spirit of uncleanness (compare Revelation 16:13 ); opposed to "the Spirit of holiness" ( Romans 1:4 ), "spirit of error" ( 1 John 4:6 ). One assuming to be divinely inspired, but in league with Satan.

3. The form of phraseology here is drawn from Deuteronomy 13:6-10 , 18:20 . The substantial truth expressed is that false prophecy shall be utterly abolished. If it were possible for it again to start up, the very parents of the false prophet would not let parental affection interfere, but would be the first to thrust him through. Love to Christ must be paramount to the tenderest of natural ties ( Matthew 10:37 ). Much as the godly love their children, they love God and His honor more.

4. prophets . . . ashamed--of the false prophecies which they have uttered in times past, and which the event has confuted.
rough garment--sackcloth. The badge of a prophet ( 2 Kings 1:8 , Isaiah 20:2 ), to mark their frugality alike in food and attire ( Matthew 3:4 ); also, to be consonant to the mournful warnings which they delivered. It is not the dress that is here condemned, but the purpose for which it was worn, namely, to conceal wolves under sheep's clothing [CALVIN]. The monkish hair-shirt of Popery, worn to inspire the multitude with the impression of superior sanctity, shall be then cast aside.