Zechariah 13:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

In contrast, it is revealed that today they experience shame—not only because false prophecies are outright rejected but also because those once arrogant now call for the punishment of such folly. Consequently, upon facing exposure, they renounce their malevolence, demonstrating repentance over their sins. They lament, ‘I am not a prophet, for man hath begotten me from my youth,’ acknowledging their human frailty and the ease with which one can stray into error and sin. Such might be the confessions of those in remorse.

If one were to inquire about the wounds on their hands, they might reply, ‘By them I was wounded in the house of my beloved,’ referring to the chastisement received from their parents for their misdeeds, as the ‘house of the beloved’ symbolizes the home of their guardians. This contrast highlights the significant change in circumstances; the false prophets of yesteryear gained admiration, praise, and a favorable reputation without remorse. Today, however, anyone who dares to echo their falsehoods faces rebuke and shame, often suffering consequences from their own parents. Now they repent as transgressors, mourning and grieving while acknowledging the frailty of human nature, recognizing the eradication of unclean spirits from the earth through the power and authority of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

A similar inquiry is posed by the Heavenly Powers, as noted in the prophet Isaiah, where they, perceiving His flesh drenched with the blood of anguish, ask: "Who is He who comes from Edom, His garments are blackened from the Holy Spirit" (Isaiah 63:1).

Those who try to prophesy, even when facing disgrace from their kin, will find their falsehoods laid bare as the events they foretold come to light. They will abandon the deceptive attire they once wore, for traditionally, prophets donned tattered clothes to call the people to repentance. Even Isaiah was commanded to remove his garments and walk uncovered, not as a gesture of repentance, but as a sign of impending captivity. The false prophet will eschew the prophetic mantle that might mislead the unsuspecting; instead, he will choose to labor in the fields, embodying God's decree to Adam: "Cursed is the ground because of your deeds; you will toil and harvest from it all your days; it will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field, and in the sweat of your brow, you will earn your bread."

When he demonstrates that he must work hard for his sustenance, another will inquire about the meaning of the scars on his hands. They will ask, "What has brought you to suffer in this way? Why are your hands pierced?" He will respond, explaining that he bears these marks as one condemned, not by adversaries but by those who loved him. The removal of falsehood will make way for truth, and even he who endures punishment will acknowledge its righteousness. The scripture stating "They shall not be covered with coarse linen garments to deceive" suggests that they will not be filled with a spirit of deception, as referred to by Isaiah. The term used for the prophets indicates that they should not disguise themselves in garments meant to conceal their true nature, as they seek to avoid disavowing God; the word can signify both a lie and a denial.