Zechariah 14:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Gospel parables convey a similar message: a king prepared a wedding feast for his son and dispatched servants to summon the guests. However, those invited insulted and killed the messengers, finally even murdering the son. The parable recounts that the king was enraged, sending his armies to destroy the murderers and set their city ablaze (Matthew 22:2-7). This foreshadows a similar fate for those who oppose and persecute in the day of judgment, showcasing the intensity of divine wrath when God avenges the wickedness of those who rebelled against Him, having slain the Prince of Life (Acts 3:15).

It is the divine authority of the Godhead that possesses the ability to perform acts of wonder and marvel. He foretells that "they shall become His foot," which clearly refers to Christ, during His presence on the Mount of Olives. The mountain will undergo four fractures, two toward the east and west, and the other two facing north and south. The mountain summits will shatter, causing the valleys within to fill as they experience a sudden earthquake before Asahel, a village at the mountain’s edge. This great earthquake draws parallels to the one that occurred during the time of Uzziah when he unlawfully assumed priestly duties and was struck with leprosy, resulting in a significant trembling of Judah and Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 26:16-20). It is said that Mount Zion quaked and split, with its peaks collapsing into the nearby valleys. The prophet appears to refer to the earthquake that transpired at the authentic crucifixion, as noted by the Gospel priests. The prophet recalls these events, and Matthew succinctly recounts, "And Jesus cried again with a great voice, and gave forth the Spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom; and the earth did quake; and the rocks were split; and the tombs were opened; and many bodies of the departed saints arose" (Matthew 27:50-52).

To interpret these occurrences spiritually, it is believed that the shattering of the rocks and the sealing of the graves symbolizes the hardening of the hearts of the Jews and the transformation of idolaters toward righteousness. These worshippers of creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25) possessed hearts of stone—unyielding and desolate. However, as God declared through Ezekiel, “I will take their heart of stone out of their flesh, and I will give them a heart of flesh,” that they may know Me (Ezekiel 11:19). Thus, the hearts of the lost were softened as God prepared them to embrace the message of salvation. Jeremiah's declaration parallels this sentiment: "Is not My word like a fire?" says the Lord, "and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29), and "the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). Therefore, the breaking of the rocks serves as a clear sign of the transition of the lost toward transformation, while the sealing of the graves reflects the hardening of the Jewish hearts. Similar assertions are found in Isaiah: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord will thresh from the river to the brook of Egypt" (Isaiah 27:12), conveying that the understanding shall be veiled throughout Judea, “that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not hear, nor understand” (Matthew 13; cf. Luke 8:10), for "a veil lies over their hearts" during the reading of the Old Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:15).

The shaking of the earth symbolizes a transition from one state to another, as expressed by David: "He who sits enthroned upon the cherubim, let the earth quake" (Psalm 98:3). It is understood not to call heavenly entities to corporeal disturbance, as this would be pointless for us, but rather it urges the spiritual beings to shift the earth from the service of idols towards the knowledge of the true and living God, transitioning from carnal wisdom to a desire for spiritual life—from the earthly to the heavenly. Furthermore, when it states that the graves of the dead were opened, it signifies that Christ's death was a victory over death itself, "that He might be Lord both of the dead and the living" (Romans 14:9).

As it is stated in Habakkuk: "Thou hast come forth for the salvation of Thy people, for salvation with Thy Christ"; and in Micah: "For behold, the Lord shall come forth from His place and shall descend, treading upon the heights of the earth, and the mountains shall be leveled before Him, and the valleys shall be cleaved." Isaiah proclaims: "The Lord of Hosts shall come forth, crushing the army, stirring up zeal, and calling out with strength against His foes." The Lord emerges from His dwelling, when He chooses to cease from His rest to demonstrate His gentleness and mercy through the forgiveness of sins. Despite His inherent meekness, He experiences bitterness not for Himself but for those enduring torment.

The same God who declared through Malachi, "I am God and do not change," and is called "the same and unchanging" in the Psalms, now stands ready for battle, reminiscent of the ancient times when He drowned Pharaoh in the Red Sea and defended His people of Israel. His feet find rest among those upon whom He has shown mercy, causing it to be declared that the Lord will sound the trumpet and march forth with His fierce wrath.

He will not appear in the fading light of day nor under the cover of darkness, as was the case with His manifestation to Adam. When He halts, He will not stand in a valley or low ground, but rather on a mountain devoid of unfruitful trees, where olive trees flourish, offering eternal light, healing for the weak, and comfort to the weary. This Mount of Olives, where the feet of the Lord rest, is east of Jerusalem, from which the sun of righteousness rises. It is surrounded by olive trees, reflecting the scripture, "Thy sons are as new sprouts of the olive tree surrounding thy table."

The middle section of this mountain will extend towards the east, where the trees of the nations grow. One scripture states, "I am like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God"; the other part extends towards the west and the sea, forming a great valley, representing the people of the circumcision. To whom God declares through the prophet, "What treachery has my beloved committed in my house? Will vows and sacred offerings remove your wickedness?"

This beloved community committed grave injustices in God's house by crucifying the Son of God, hearing the declaration that the Lord has called them "the olive tree, shaded and beautiful in branches," yet their branches have become unfruitful due to separation from the true vine. Furthermore, the deep significance of scripture regarding the division toward the west, fed by bitter waters, emphasizes its location in the depths of the sea, as Micah writes about casting down stones into the valley, likely referring to Jerusalem, and uncovering its foundations. Our limitations may make this revelation difficult to grasp in its full depth. Meanwhile, the Jews, adhering to the literal interpretation, assert that the Lord stands upon the Mount of Olives, which in their view divides into two parts, with one side to the east and the other to the west, creating a separation within the vast chasm.

This mountain symbolically represents the gathering of enemies, separated into factions to besiege Jerusalem, with some occupying the eastern side, others the western, and some watching from the north and others from the south. It is also likely that the mountain itself faced this division as God revealed His wrath; for even at the moment the Lord was crucified, darkness enveloped the entire earth, and the trembling ground seemed to quickly become a grave for them, while the mountains lowered themselves upon them. Therefore, the Prophet states that when these mountains are shattered, the paths in the wilderness will be restored, similar to the great earthquake during the time of Hosea. If the earth quaked so fiercely for the sake of one who had committed a lesser sin and acted unlawfully against the priesthood, then it stands to reason that those who engaged in more grievous transgressions should face even greater calamities. When they witnessed the earth tremble at the challenge posed to the cross, they failed to accept the opportunity for repentance. The Prophet, therefore, transitions from the aftermath of punishment to reflect upon the events that unfolded during a time of sinfulness, proclaiming:

Provide us with a sign that is not distant from the city, so we may recognize it; rather, offer us a visible sign nearby, so we can observe it while within the city. The prophet responds to this query, stating, "And his feet shall stand that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before the face of Jerusalem toward the east" (Zechariah 14:4). Is there anyone within the city who cannot see this place?

This imagery resonates with the events surrounding Jerusalem's fall under Titus, although it remains unclear if God's presence on the Mount of Olives was physically evident at that moment. However, the prophetic discourse suggests that the prophet primarily emphasizes the persecutions that Gentiles will inflict upon the Church of Christ. Through the metaphor of the earthquake and the flight, it foretells that God's providence will protect the Church; it will endure through tribulations, and many believers in Christ will find refuge under the wings of the Most High. Following verses illustrate the outpouring of God's abundant grace upon them.