Zechariah – Chapter 3

Old Testament • 10 Verses

Chapter Summary

Zechariah 3 opens with the words: "And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord: and Satan stood on his right hand to be his adversary." Across its 10 verses, two threads run through the text: repentance and conversion and holiness. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord: and Satan stood on his right hand to be his adversary.

2And the Lord said to Satan: The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan: and the Lord that chose Jerusalem rebuke thee: Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

3And Jesus was clothed with filthy garments: and he stood before the face of the angel.

4Who answered, and said to them that stood before him, saying: Take away the filthy garments from him. And he said to him: Behold I have taken away thy iniquity, and have clothed thee with change of garments.

5And he said: Put a clean mitre upon his head: and they put a clean mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments, and the angel of the Lord stood.

6And the angel of the Lord protested to Jesus, saying:

7Thus saith the Lord of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and keep my charge, thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt keep my courts, and I will give thee some of them that are now present here to walk with thee.

8Hear, O Jesus thou high priest, thou and thy friends that dwell before thee, for they are portending men: for behold, I WILL BRING MY SERVANT THE ORIENT.

9For behold the stone that I have laid before Jesus: upon one stone there are seven eyes: behold I will grave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts: and I will take away the iniquity of that land in one day.

10In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, every man shall call his friend under the vine and under the fig tree.

Important Verses in Zechariah 3

“And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord: and Satan stood on his right hand to be his adversary.”

Zechariah 3:1

“Who answered, and said to them that stood before him, saying: Take away the filthy garments from him. And he said to him: Behold I have taken away thy iniquity, and have clothed thee with change of garments.”

Zechariah 3:4

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and keep my charge, thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt keep my courts, and I will give thee some of them that are now present here to walk with thee.”

Zechariah 3:7

“In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, every man shall call his friend under the vine and under the fig tree. ”

Zechariah 3:10

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Zechariah was written with the post-exilic community, and all who would recognize the Messiah's coming in view. Chapter 3 of 14 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 10 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord: and Satan stood on his right hand…" The final verse reads: "In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, every man shall call his friend under the vine and under the fig tree. " In terms of historical background, 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

At the literal level, this oracle names the sins, judgments, or promises relevant to its original hearers. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord: and Satan stood on his right hand to be his adversary." The passage repeatedly touches on repentance and conversion.

Catholic exegesis reads Zechariah 3 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). St. Leo the Great and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1502).

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 3 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓True conversion means turning away from sin and returning to God with our whole heart.
  • ✓'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • ✓Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Zechariah Chapter 3 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Zechariah's prophecies are fulfilled in Christ's passion (CIC 557). The passage calls believers to grasp that Behold, your king comes to you, humble and riding on a donkey.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 461) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Zechariah Chapter 3 about?

Zechariah 3 contains 10 verses. It opens with "And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord: and Satan stood on his right hand…" and closes with "In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, every man shall call his friend under the vine and under the fig tree. ". The book as a whole is prophetic visions and messianic oracles.

What is a key verse in Zechariah 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord: and Satan stood on his right hand to be his adversary." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Zechariah and when?

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

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Act of Contrition🙏The Confiteor🙏Litany of the Saints🙏The Sanctus

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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