Zechariah – Chapter 13

Old Testament • 9 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 13 of Zechariah begins: "In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: for the washing of the sinner, and…" The chapter centers on David and Adam. Across its 9 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and love and charity. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: for the washing of the sinner, and of the unclean woman.

2And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord of hosts, that I will destroy the names of idols out of the earth, and they shall be remembered no more: and I will take away the false prophets, and the unclean spirit out of the earth.

3And it shall come to pass, that when any man shall prophesy any more, his father and his mother that brought him into the world, shall say to him: Thou shalt not live: because thou hast spoken a lie in the name of the Lord. And his father, and his mother, his parents, shall thrust him through, when he shall prophesy.

4And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be confounded, every one by his own vision, when he shall prophesy, neither shall they be clad with a garment of sackcloth, to deceive:

5But he shall say: I am no prophet, I am a husbandman: for Adam is my example from my youth.

6And they shall say to him: What are these wounds in the midst of thy hands? And he shall say: With these I was wounded in the house of them that loved me.

7Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that cleaveth to me, saith the Lord of hosts: strike the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn my hand to the little ones.

8And there shall be in all the earth, saith the Lord, two parts in it shall be scattered, and shall perish: but the third part shall be left therein.

9And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined: and I will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say: Thou art my people: and they shall say: The Lord is my God.

Important Verses in Zechariah 13

“In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: for the washing of the sinner, and of the unclean woman.”

Zechariah 13:1

“But he shall say: I am no prophet, I am a husbandman: for Adam is my example from my youth.”

Zechariah 13:5

“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined: and I will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name, and I will hear them. I will say: Thou art my people: and they shall say: The Lord is my God. ”

Zechariah 13:9

Historical Context

Zechariah belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the post-exilic community, and all who would recognize the Messiah's coming. Chapter 13 of 14 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 9 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. David and Adam appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: for the washing…" The final verse reads: "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined: and I will try them as…" Read against its original backdrop, A contemporary of Haggai, Zechariah encouraged the Temple's rebuilding through eight night visions, then looked far beyond it: a king coming 'humble and riding on a donkey' (9:9), the shepherd sold for thirty pieces of… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah

When It Was Written

Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Zechariah 13 presents a concrete episode in the history of messianic visions and the coming king. A pivotal line is verse 1: "In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: for the washing of the sinner, and of the unclean woman." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1700). Here, Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Behold, your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Zechariah 13 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓Love of God and love of neighbor sum up the whole law and reveal the very nature of God.
  • ✓'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.

People in This Chapter

David1 mentionAdam1 mention

Reflection for Today

Zechariah Chapter 13, containing 9 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation, offers a distinct passage for prayer and meditation.

The Magisterium teaches that every biblical passage must be read in light of Christ, the center of Scripture (CIC 1265). Here the emphasis falls on living the Gospel in daily work, which shapes how the Church understands messianic visions and the coming king.

As you continue through Zechariah, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zechariah Chapter 13 about?

Zechariah 13 contains 9 verses. It opens with "In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: for the washing…" and closes with "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined: and I will try them as…". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and messianic oracles.

What is a key verse in Zechariah 13?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "In that day there shall be a fountain open to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: for the washing of the sinner, and of the unclean woman." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Zechariah Chapter 13?

This chapter mentions David, Adam.

Who wrote Zechariah and when?

The prophet Zechariah, son of Berechiah. Beginning in 520 BC; later chapters possibly added by his school.

Related Chapters

2 Samuel 7Shares people and themes with this chapterRuth 4Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Samuel 18Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Acts of Faith, Hope, and Love🙏Litany of the Sacred Heart

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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