Zech. 4 By the golden candlestick is foreshowed the good success of Zerubbabel’s foundation, Zech. 4:1–10; by the two olive trees the two anointed ones, Zech. 4:11–14.

The angel that talked with me; Christ, who for some time had left Zechariah, and bestowed some time on new dressing, and cleansing, and adorning Joshua, the high priest. Came again: this is the fourth time of Christ’s revealing his mind to this prophet by vision.

What seest thou? what dost thou discern, of that thou didst before, half asleep half awake, see, but didst not observe? I have looked; since awakened and roused, I have very diligently viewed and observed, and I see.

Two olive trees; some say branches; better trees, which, well rooted, will continue, and perpetually supply the bowls, and that will supply the lamps. One; not more, or fewer than two.

So, after that I had seen and discerned, I answered: see Zech. 3:4. Spake to the angel that talked with me: see Zech. 1:19, Zech. 2:3. What are these? see Zech. 1:9.

Then; when the prophet had inquired into the meaning of these emblems. The angel that talked with me: see Zech. 1:19. Knowest thou not? it is not a question either to upbraid the prophet as an ignoramus, Christ doth not reproach his for not knowing deep and dark mysteries at first sight of them;…

Then; so soon as Zechariah had owned his nescience. He; Christ. This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel; or, This word of the Lord is to Zerubbabel, it is particularly designed to him, and in an emblem prefigureth what a church, how precious as gold, how full of light; how framed, how…

Who art thou, O great mountain? the angel having resolved the question about building the temple, either himself doth deride all the power of opposers, or the prophet doth triumph over it, Who art thou? Sanballat and confederates, or Satan, or Babylon, or all put together, what are you all,…

Either at another time, or else at the same time, was added what now Zechariah declares.

The hands; perhaps (as is customary) he did lay the first stone with his own hands; or rather, his direction, and command, and under his conduct. Have laid the foundation, in the second year of Cyrus, perhaps forty years ago, likelier seventeen, but be those years more or less, he shall finish it:…

And now for those that despised small beginnings; who they are is well known, and to them I say, and promise what they expected not. Despised the day of small things; of which Hag. 2:3.

In this verse the prophet proposeth a question to which no answer is given, but he doth immediately proceed to ask one more question, though somewhat, yet not much, different from the former, and in the answer of this latter question the prophet acquiesceth.

I answered; I went on to discourse, which is the signification of the Hebrew phrase here used. Again, Heb. a second time. Said unto him, the angel that talked with the prophet.

See Zech. 1:4.

Not Enoch and Elias, nor the two witnesses, nor Peter and Paul, nor the two churches of Jew and Gentile; nor principally Zerubbabel and Joshua, though perhaps the exposition may glance upon them, and the two orders, magistracy and ministry, in them; as these are types of Christ in his two offices.