Zech. 13 The fountain of purgation for Jerusalem, Zech. 13:1. The extirpation of idolatry and false prophecy, Zech. 13:2–6. The death of Christ, and the saving of a third part after a severe trial, Zech. 13:7–9.

In that day; when the Lamb of God shall be offered up a sacrifice for mankind, and the gospel shall be preached in which the glad tidings of our redemption are published.

In that day: see Zech. 13:1. I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land; utterly destroy idols and idolatry. Satan fell from heaven like lightning, as Christ tells us, when the gospel was preached by those he sent; and it is known the birth of Christ silenced the devil, that he could no…

When any shall yet prophesy; whosoever he be that shall pretend hereafter to prophesy through the instigation of that unclean spirit, for it can be from no other, when the Lord shall have fully revealed his mind to us.

It shall come to pass; by this means it will come to pass, such sharp reproofs, such impartial threats, such convincing arguments, will have a good effect. The prophets shall be ashamed; these prophets will see their error, and be ashamed, and give over what they blush at, and is their shame.

This verse is this reclaimed man’s recantation, or renunciation of his former course, and his solemn promise to take up his own calling, and become a plain honest man, and live upon his labour, to which he was trained up from his youth, and is sorry he ever left it.

This verse continueth the account of the reclaimed prophet, and supposeth, what is usual, that some will inquire what was the meaning of the marks or impressions on his hands, whether they were not such as appropriated him to an idol, or declared him a professed diviner.

Many words are spent by interpreters to show what they think to be the connexion of the words; it is easier to say what are the contents and design of them.

This verse may be a prediction of the great slaughter Titus made among the Jews, and also an emblem of the multitudes of them that perish, and paucity of them that are saved. In all the land of Judea, or the whole world. Two parts; not precisely two, but, more largely, the greater part by far.

I will bring the third part through the fire; that part that is preserved shall be brought into afflictions, hot as fire. And will refine them as silver is refined; these afflictions shall purify them, and so better them, as silver and gold are bettered by the furnace, made fitter to be vessels of…