The Bible — World English Bible

Zechariah 3

In brief

Zechariah 3 is a vision. The high priest Joshua stands before the angel of the Lord in filthy clothes while Satan accuses him. The Lord rebukes Satan, because Joshua is a burning stick snatched from the fire. The angel orders the filthy clothes removed, declares that he has taken away Joshua's iniquity and dresses him in rich garments, with a clean turban. Joshua then receives a call to walk in God's ways, and a promise: God will bring his servant, the Branch, and will remove the iniquity of the land in a single day.

The chapter in 4 parts

  1. v. 1-2Joshua accused, Satan rebuked
  2. v. 3-5Filthy clothes replaced by rich garments
  3. v. 6-7A call to walk in God's ways
  4. v. 8-10The promise of the Branch and the stone

1He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before Yahweh’s angel, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary.

2Yahweh said to Satan, “Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Yes, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?”

3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel.

4He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.”

5I said, “Let them set a clean turban on his head.” So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him; and Yahweh’s angel was standing by.

6Yahweh’s angel protested to Joshua, saying,

7“Yahweh of Armies says: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by.

8Hear now, Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows who sit before you; for they are men who are a sign: for, behold, I will bring out my servant, the Branch.

9For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave its engraving,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

10In that day,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘you will invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.’ ”

Key verses

Verse 2
Yahweh said to Satan, “Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Yes, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?”

It is the Lord who defends Joshua against the accuser. The burning stick snatched from the fire says that his salvation comes not from his merits but from God's choice.

Verse 4
He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.”

Iniquity is removed before any service: God takes away the stain and clothes Joshua himself. Many read here the image of forgiveness given freely.

Verse 7
“Yahweh of Armies says: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by.

After forgiveness comes responsibility: walking in God's ways and keeping his charge, with the promise of free access to him.

Verse 9
For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; on one stone are seven eyes: behold, I will engrave its engraving,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

The stone with seven eyes and iniquity removed in one day are debated images. Many Christians see in them an announcement of the work of Christ.

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What the sermons say

Zechariah 3: God Takes Off Your Old GarmentThe preacher reads the filthy clothes as what you still carry: resignation, fear, failures. God wants to take them off you and clothe you anew, but he asks you to believe and to stand up.Read the summary →Spiritual Warfare Part 2: In Christ, You Are More Than a ConquerorGilles Bonneveau cites Joshua accused by Satan (verses 1 to 5) in his teaching on spiritual warfare: victory is won in Christ, but the adversary keeps accusing.Read the summary →Learning from Job (1): Faith Tested in the Face of SatanTo present Satan as the accuser, the sermon recalls that his work runs through Scripture, and cites his accusation against the high priest Joshua in verses 1 and 2.Read the summary →God Called Me While I Was Running From MinistryThe testimony draws on verse 7: walking in God's ways and serving in his courts, a way of receiving his calling.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Zechariah 3

What do Joshua's filthy clothes mean in Zechariah 3?

They represent the stain and iniquity that Joshua carries, he and the people he represents. God has them removed and dresses Joshua in rich garments. The image says that forgiveness is given by God and not earned, and Christian tradition sees in it a reflection of salvation in Christ.

What is the main message of Zechariah 3?

God forgives and restores, despite Satan's accusations. Joshua is a burning stick snatched from the fire: he is saved by God's choice. The chapter then calls him to walk in God's ways and announces the coming of the Branch, whom many Christians identify with the Messiah.

Who is the Branch announced in verse 8?

The text speaks of my servant the Branch, a messianic figure that other prophets also mention. Christians see Jesus Christ in him, while the traditional Jewish reading still awaits him or applies the title differently. Verse 9 adds that the iniquity of the land will be removed in a single day.

Articles quoting Zechariah 3

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World English Bible translation — public domain.