King James Version

What Does Zechariah 13:3 Mean?

Zechariah 13:3 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unt...” — study this verse from Zechariah chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.”

Zechariah 13:3 · KJV

Context

1

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. uncleanness: Heb. separation for uncleanness

2

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.

3

And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

4

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive: a rough: Heb. a garment of hair deceive: Heb. lie

5

But he shall say, I am no prophet, I am an husbandman ; for man taught me to keep cattle from my youth.

Read Zechariah 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. This shocking verse describes the severity with which false prophecy will be treated in the purified community. The closest family members—"his father and his mother that begat him"—become the executors of justice, demonstrating that covenant loyalty to God transcends even the strongest human bonds.

The charge is specific: "Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD" (lo tichyeh ki sheker dibarta be-shem Yahweh, לֹא תִחְיֶה כִּי־שֶׁקֶר דִּבַּרְתָּ בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה). Speaking falsehood while claiming divine authority warrants death penalty according to Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and 18:20. The phrase "thrust him through" (dekaruhu, דְּקָרֻהוּ) uses the same root as 12:10's "pierced" (dakaru), creating verbal connection between the pierced Messiah and judgment on false prophets—Christ suffered the death penalty in our place, bearing the judgment deserved by all who speak against God.

The parents executing judgment shows the community's zero tolerance for false prophecy. This isn't describing literal practice in post-exilic Israel but the eschatological purity of Messiah's kingdom where falsehood cannot coexist with God's presence. Truth will be so valued and deception so abhorred that even family loyalty won't protect false teachers.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Deuteronomy 13:6-11 commanded Israelites to execute family members who enticed them to idolatry, prioritizing covenant loyalty over kinship. This verse applies similar principle to false prophecy—those who claim to speak for God but deceive must be removed. In ancient Israel, false prophets proliferated (Jeremiah 23:9-40, Ezekiel 13:1-23), leading people astray and preventing genuine repentance. The exile resulted partly from heeding false prophets who promised peace when judgment was coming (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11).

Zechariah envisions a future when the community will be so purified and committed to truth that false prophecy will be immediately rejected and punished. This never occurred in post-exilic Israel's history, pointing to eschatological fulfillment. In the church age, false teachers are to be exposed and removed from fellowship (2 John 10-11, Titus 3:10-11), though not executed physically. The ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's return when all deception ends and only truth remains (Revelation 21:8, 22:15). The shocking severity underscores how seriously God takes those who falsely claim to speak for Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage challenge our culture's tolerance for doctrinal error and false teaching in the name of 'grace' or 'unity'?
  2. What does God's severe judgment on false prophecy teach about the responsibility of those who claim to teach or speak His word?
  3. In what ways should church discipline today reflect zero tolerance for false teaching while also showing patience with sincere believers who are growing in understanding?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּֽי2 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְּהִנָּבְאֽוֹ׃3 of 22

“him through when he prophesieth”

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

אִישׁ֮4 of 22

“And it shall come to pass that when any”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

עוֹד֒5 of 22
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

וְאָמְר֣וּ6 of 22

“him shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵ֠לָיו7 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אָבִ֧יהוּ8 of 22

“and his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאִמּ֛וֹ9 of 22

“and his mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

יֹלְדָ֖יו10 of 22

“that begat”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לֹ֣א11 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִֽחְיֶ֔ה12 of 22

“unto him Thou shalt not live”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

כִּ֛י13 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שֶׁ֥קֶר14 of 22

“lies”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ15 of 22

“for thou speakest”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

בְּשֵׁ֣ם16 of 22

“in the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָ֑ה17 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּדְקָרֻ֜הוּ18 of 22

“him shall thrust”

H1856

to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile

אָבִ֧יהוּ19 of 22

“and his father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְאִמּ֛וֹ20 of 22

“and his mother”

H517

a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively [like father])

יֹלְדָ֖יו21 of 22

“that begat”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

בְּהִנָּבְאֽוֹ׃22 of 22

“him through when he prophesieth”

H5012

to prophesy, i.e., speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Zechariah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Zechariah 13:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Zechariah 13:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 13:6-11Deuteronomy 18:20Jeremiah 23:34Ezekiel 14:9Exodus 32:27-28Matthew 10:37

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