Zec 13:7 | MHM | STEP | Sufferings of Christ Predicted This section is a prophecy about the suffering of Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd. It explains how God allowed his Son to be struck for the sake of saving people. The passage also describes what happened to Jesus’ followers and the Jewish nation, and how God would keep a faithful group of believers safe, even through hard times. v. 7 : God calls out, Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd . This means God allowed his justice to fall on Jesus, his Son, who is also called his “fellow” because he is equal with God (Isaiah 53:4, 10 ). Jesus is the Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep (Zechariah 11:7 ). The sword is not just for punishment, but for sacrifice, because Jesus had no sin of his own. He was killed so that others could be saved (Acts 20:28; Daniel 9:26 ). The prophecy also says, Smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered (Zechariah 13:7 ). Jesus said this was fulfilled when his disciples ran away after he was arrested (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27 ). They left him alone, just as sheep scatter when their shepherd is struck (John 16:32 ). But God promised to care for the “little ones,” meaning he would bring his followers back together and protect them, even if they were afraid or scattered (Numbers 14:31 ).

‏ Zechariah 13:7

Sufferings of Christ Predicted

This section is a prophecy about the suffering of Jesus Christ, the true Shepherd. It explains how God allowed his Son to be struck for the sake of saving people. The passage also describes what happened to Jesus’ followers and the Jewish nation, and how God would keep a faithful group of believers safe, even through hard times.

v. 7: God calls out, Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd . This means God allowed his justice to fall on Jesus, his Son, who is also called his “fellow” because he is equal with God (Isaiah 53:4, 10 ^a). Jesus is the Shepherd who gave his life for the sheep (Zechariah 11:7 ^b). The sword is not just for punishment, but for sacrifice, because Jesus had no sin of his own. He was killed so that others could be saved (Acts 20:28; Daniel 9:26 ^c).

The prophecy also says, Smite the Shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered (Zechariah 13:7 ^d). Jesus said this was fulfilled when his disciples ran away after he was arrested (Matthew 26:31; Mark 14:27 ^e). They left him alone, just as sheep scatter when their shepherd is struck (John 16:32 ^f). But God promised to care for the “little ones,” meaning he would bring his followers back together and protect them, even if they were afraid or scattered (Numbers 14:31 ^g).