Zechariah 11:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, the Savior rebuked them, saying: "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees of hypocrisy, because ye forsake the reaper, and the copra, and the cunning, and forsake the things of the law, judgment, and mercy, and faith" (Matthew 23:23). Indeed, their care was so trifling that they condemned those who failed to tithe even the most trivial items while completely ignoring far more significant and necessary decrees. That they were not righteous shepherds, but merely focused on material gain, is plainly articulated by Ezekiel. "O ye shepherds of Israel, ye shepherds of your own selves, do not the shepherds shepherd the sheep? Ye eat your own milk, and clothe yourselves with waves, and slaughter the fat, but ye shepherd not my sheep" (Ezekiel 34:3). Therefore, he urged, “shepherd the sheep of the slaughter,” which refers to those at risk of being sacrificed by the Romans, or those that you may slay, even while holding the office of shepherd. No other occasion for their demise exists, for after the coming of the Savior, many Jews fell by Roman swords, all while God showed them patience. It was evident to the shepherds that the subjugated peoples were treated as their possession, as expressed in the words: "I that the shepherds of them which have obtained them have quenched them, and repented not." They treated the spiritual vineyard, newly planted and beloved—namely, Israel or the people of Judah (Isaiah 5:7)—as if they owned the flocks, gathering benefits for themselves while amplifying their wealth and turning a blind eye to theft. Those who stole were destroyed, while those who sold exclaimed, "Blessed be the Lord, and we shall be rich." We can also recognize judges who barter truth in courtrooms, seemingly turning their backs on the law of Moses, which explicitly states, "thou shalt not know the face of the judgment, for the judgment of God is” (Deuteronomy 1:17). Indeed, it delighted them to sell judgment in all instances to those who sought to buy it. This truth is further affirmed by the prophets, as one remarked about Jerusalem, "The elders of it judge on the dares" (Micah 3:11). Moreover, the pious Habakkuk lamented to God, saying: "How long, O Lord, shall I cry out to Thee, and Thou wilt not hear? Wherefore hast thou shown me labour and sickness, to look upon passion and wickedness? Against me is judgment, and the judge will take away judgment. For this reason the law is ruined, and the judgment is not fulfilled: for the wicked shall overcome the righteous, and for this reason the judgment shall come out corrupt" (Habakkuk 1:1-4). Therefore, through unjust taxes, they amass riches, distort the truth, and sell verdicts in nearly every case. These judges, as previously mentioned, proclaim, "Blessed be the Lord, and we shall be rich." Such individuals can justly face condemnation for their folly and arrogance, daring to bless God as if He condones their unrighteous gains and bloodshed. It would be far better to rightfully declare: "Blessed be the Lord," for upholding true judgment in all matters makes us faithful and lawful custodians of the divine decrees. Consequently, it is deceptive and dishonorable to seek blessings if we fail to act in accordance with what is pleasing to God.

Then, with profound intensity, he states: Thus says the Lord my God: shepherd the sheep that are destined for slaughter, whom those who buy them slay without remorse, while those who sell them triumphantly declare, ‘Blessed be the Lord; I am wealthy!’ and the shepherds show no compassion for them. For I will no longer show mercy to the inhabitants of this land, declares the Lord (Zech. 11:4-6) Almighty. Furthermore, he extends his warnings to the nation's leaders, declaring, ‘O sword, awaken against the shepherds ... and I will turn My hand against the shepherds’ (Zechariah 13:7). My anger is kindled against the shepherds, and I will bring judgment upon the goats (Zechariah 10:3). With such fervor, he continues his discourse, unable to withhold his proclamations of warning. I fear that in recounting these words, I might provoke animosity towards myself. Nevertheless, this is the message Zechariah conveys.

There is no necessity for a figurative interpretation, nor to suggest the existence of both virtuous and flawed shepherds, encompassing both Old and New Testament figures, such as the priests and leaders of the Jews, along with the bishops and elders of the Christians. The negligent shepherds, who lead even the innocents into temptation, are those who neglect the flock destined for slaughter; they do not care for them, do not mourn, and cannot echo the Apostle’s words, ‘Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?’ (2 Cor. 11:29). They exploit the nations entrusted to them, as it is stated, Who devour my people as bread (Ps. 52:5), enriching themselves at the expense of others’ demise, praising those who gain wealth, and blessing the unjust. Others may interpret this passage as they wish; however, let us adhere to the interpretation we have previously embraced. As Lebanon has been laid bare, and its cedars and fir trees consumed by flames, the cries of shepherds are heard alongside the roars of lions, for all the splendor of the Jordan has been ravaged and destroyed; thus the Lord my God instructs me, ‘O Zechariah the prophet, my message is directed to you! Shepherd the sheep of the slaughter, meaning, let him who is to be slain by adversaries be sustained and thrive.’ These sheep and flocks were slaughtered by the Roman lords, who claimed them by their victory, exhibiting no compassion nor sorrow for their sacrifices, and selling not out of mercy but for profit. Let us examine the narratives of past events and the accounts of the Jews, who lament that in Abraham’s tent—where the renowned auction occurs annually—after their ultimate defeat during Hadrian’s reign, countless individuals were sold, while those who remained unsold were transported to Egypt, perishing by shipwreck, famine, or the assaults of rebellious nations. Thus, the Romans, as God’s instruments of justice, killed yet felt no sorrow, sold their cattle, and proclaimed, ‘Blessed be the Lord, for we have become rich.’ Their words convey the notion that 'the sins of the Jews have provoked God; therefore, we oppress them, profiting from their suffering.' It is not surprising, they argue, that the conquerors, honored by their triumph, slaughtered the livestock without mercy, sold them, and boasted of their wicked deeds, for their very shepherds and teachers failed to defend them, allowing the flock to fall prey to the wolves.