DiscipleDeck
Get started
Bible Commentary

Zechariah 9:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:9-12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

A joyful kingdom.

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem," etc. How sudden, how loud, how urgent, is this call to rejoice! No wonder; for in the bare fact announced here there is ample cause to rejoice. "Thy King cometh"—a King of thine own, not an alien king like him just spoken of. This possibly the connection of thought. Still greater the cause for rejoicing in what is said of this King; whether

I. TO ZION HERSELF. Consider:

1. The purpose of his coming, viz.:

2. The manner of his coming. How admirably this corresponds to his purpose! Being a King, he appears (for once at least) in befitting state, riding on an animal never employed before. Being also a Saviour, he comes in mercy and meekness, in the lowliest way a king could.

II. TO THE HEATHEN NEIGHBOURS OF ZION. As shown by the description given here:

1. Of the aspect of his kingdom towards them. "He shall Speak peace to the heathen" (). The Jews themselves seem to have expected otherwise; as shown to some extent by such passages as ; ; and specially by the extreme unwillingness of the Apostle Peter to treat any Gentile whatever () as otherwise than common or unclean. This "enmity" () was to be so completely "taken away" that the very weapons of warfare were to be "cut off" and perish. A cause for rejoicing, indeed, when accomplished, both to believing Jews () and to Gentiles ().

2. Of the extent of his kingdom among them. "From sea to sea," etc. (). The reference, apparently, is to ; also to the promise to Abraham in ; and ultimately to . How this was fulfilled in gospel times we learn from such passages as and ; ; .

III. TO MANKIND AT LARGE. Whether we consider:

1. The kind of persons saved. These would appear (from ) to be the worst cases of all—persons needing salvation the most. They are described as being persons in prison; as being in its lowest part, perhaps in its "pit;" as being there without means of subsistence; as having their life, in fact, like Joseph in , , only not gone.

2. The kind of salvation vouchsafed.

CONCLUSION. How great cause, in all this, for us, too, to rejoice! If the prospect was good, the fulfilment is better (, ; , , ; ). If the mere hope was so bright, how much better the harvest! How great cause, also, for taking warning! The fuller the salvation, the greater the peril of rejecting it (; , ). The more complete, also, its provisions, the more final. "There remaineth no more sacrifice for sin;" "Last of all he sent unto them his Son"

Recommended reading

More for Zechariah 9:9-12

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:1-17Zechariah 9:1-17 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION Verse 1-14:21 Part III. THE FUTURE OF THE POWERS OF THE WORLD AND OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Verse 1-11:17 A. THE FIRST BURDEN.Matthew Henry on Zechariah 9:9-17Zechariah 9:9-17 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThe prophet breaks forth into a joyful representation of the coming of the Messiah, of whom the ancient Jews explained this prophecy. He took the character of their King, when he entered Jerusalem amidst the hosannas of…Predictions Relating to Messiah. (b. c. 510.)Zechariah 9:9-11 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BiblePREDICTIONS RELATING TO MESSIAH. (B. C. 510.) That here begins a prophecy of the Messiah and his kingdom is plain from the literal accomplishment of the Zechariah 9:9 in, and its express application to, Christ's riding…The Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:9 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe prophet invites Jerusalem to rejoice at the coming of the promised salvation in the Person of her King; no mighty earthly potentate and conqueror, like Alexander the Great, but one of different fashion (comp. Zephan…The Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:9Zechariah 9:9 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe ideal King. I. BEAUTIFUL VISION. Poets in rapt moments have had glimpses of the highest (Psalms 45:1-17 :72). The character, the life and work of a true King, have passed before them as things fair to see. But where…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:1-17EXPOSITION Verse 1-14:21 Part III. THE FUTURE OF THE POWERS OF THE WORLD AND OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Verse 1-11:17 A. THE FIRST BURDEN.Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryMatthew Henry on Zechariah 9:9-17The prophet breaks forth into a joyful representation of the coming of the Messiah, of whom the ancient Jews explained this prophecy. He took the character of their King, when he entered Jerusalem amidst the hosannas of…Matthew HenrycommentaryPredictions Relating to Messiah. (b. c. 510.)PREDICTIONS RELATING TO MESSIAH. (B. C. 510.) That here begins a prophecy of the Messiah and his kingdom is plain from the literal accomplishment of the Zechariah 9:9 in, and its express application to, Christ's riding…Matthew HenrycommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:9The prophet invites Jerusalem to rejoice at the coming of the promised salvation in the Person of her King; no mighty earthly potentate and conqueror, like Alexander the Great, but one of different fashion (comp. Zephan…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:9The ideal King. I. BEAUTIFUL VISION. Poets in rapt moments have had glimpses of the highest (Psalms 45:1-17 :72). The character, the life and work of a true King, have passed before them as things fair to see. But where…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:10I will cut off the chariot. All the apparatus of war will be removed, Messiah's rule being not established by physical force, or maintained by military defences. The Jews seem to have used war chariots from the time of…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:11As for thee also. The prophet addresses the daughter of Zion, the covenant people (comp. Zechariah 9:10, Zechariah 9:13). "Also" is inserted to intimate that this deliverance is given in addition to the blessings promis…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Zechariah 9:11-17§ 3. All Israel, united into one people, shall wage successful war against adversaries, and attain to high glory, and increase largely in numbers.Joseph S. Exell and contributors