Zechariah 13:8

8 Throughout all the land, says the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and die; but one-third will be left in it.

Zechariah 13:8 Meaning and Commentary

Zechariah 13:8

And it shall come to pass, [that] in all the land, saith
the Lord
Either in all the land of Israel, as Kimchi interprets it; or rather in all the world, as Aben Ezra and others; for this prophecy seems to have respect, not to the calamities of the Jews at the destruction of Jerusalem, after the death of Christ, when a few were saved, a remnant according to the election of grace, yet so as by fire, for whose sake the days of tribulation were shortened; but to the external state of the church, and the trouble of it throughout Christendom, about the time of the destruction of antichrist: two parts therein shall be cut off [and] die;
all hypocrites, formalists, and outward court worshippers; who seem as if they would be at this time two thirds of the professors of true religion; who will not be able to stand the hour of temptation that will come upon all the earth, to try the inhabitants of it; which will be the last struggle of the beast of Rome, ( Revelation 3:10 ) but will be twice dead, plucked up by the roots; will die to the profession of religion, and be cut off from the people of God, and have no more a name with them: but the third shall be left therein;
the few names in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; the hundred forty and four thousand that will stand with Christ, and by him, on Mount Zion, being redeemed from among men, ( Revelation 3:4 ) ( Revelation 14:1 Revelation 14:4 ) compare with this ( Revelation 16:19 ) .

Zechariah 13:8 In-Context

6 Someone will say to him, "What are these wounds between your hands?" And he will say, "These happened when I was hit in my friends' home."

7 Sword, arise against my shepherd, against the man responsible for my community, says the LORD of heavenly forces! Strike the shepherd in order to scatter the flock! I will turn my hand against the little ones.

8 Throughout all the land, says the LORD, two-thirds will be cut off and die; but one-third will be left in it.

9 I will put the third part into the fire. I will refine them like one refines silver; I will test them like one tests gold. They will call on my name, and I will respond to them. I will say, "They are my people." And they will say, "The LORD is our God."