Zech. 3 Under the type of Joshua the high priest receiving clean garments, Zech. 3:1–5, and a covenant of promise from God, Zech. 3:6–7, Christ, the Branch and Corner-stone, is foretold, Zech. 3:8–10.

And he; the Lord of hosts, whose servant Zechariah was, and in whose name he spake. Showed me; in vision represented to me, Zechariah. Joshua the high priest; for that office was by hereditary right descended on him, and how mean soever his state was, yet still he was that great officer of the…

The Lord said, i.e. Christ, the great Redeemer, Restorer, Lord, and Mediator of the church. The Lord; the great God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who as Mediator rather chooseth to rebuke him in his Father’s name than in his own, though this he could have done.

At the time Zechariah saw this vision he saw also in what a mean, dirty, and tattered garb he was who represented the high priest. It was the hieroglyphic of Joshua, not Joshua himself. Filthy garments; emblem of a poor or sinful state, or both. Stood: see Zech. 3:1.

And he; the Lord Christ, who purifieth his church, who purgeth away her sin, and clothes her with rich and clean garments. Answered; so the Hebrew, and so this prophet speaks, though no question went before. It is an idiom of that language. Spake; commanded.

And I said: Zechariah takes the boldness to desire that for Joshua which might add to his veneration and authority; and he asks the thing of Christ, or rather Christ commandeth this be done.

The angel of the Lord, the Lord Christ, protested; solemnly declared and averted it, gave him to know.

Thus saith the Lord of hosts; the Father, whose will Christ reveals to us. If thou Joshua, wilt walk in my ways; obey the precepts and holy commands of the law. Wilt keep my charge; the special charge and office of the high priest.

Hear now; hitherto thou hast been entertained with emblems and hieroglyphics, but now, O Joshua, hear what these mean. And thy fellows; the other priests, thy associates in the priestly office, though inferior to thee.

Here is an ellipsis, and to make it up we must repeat that of the 8th verse, Hear now, & c. For behold, (pointing to a particular stone,) that stone which I have laid, saith God, in the sight of Joshua, or which he saw laid in the building of the temple; on that one stone are seven eyes; and Joshua…

In that day of building my temple, when it is finished, and in the day of removing the sins of my people, literally referring to the returned captive Jews; mystically, to the whole church in gospel days, when Christ, the chief Cornerstone, shall have purged away sin, and established his church.