1 AND he shewed me Joshua the high priest [ Who Was Joshua the High Priest? Most scholars agree that the Joshua referred to here was the high priest of the time. But in typical prophetic fashion, there is dualism in this chapter. Joshua (Hebrew Yeshua, Greek Hee-ay-sous, English Jesus) was a type of Jesus Christ, the great High Priest (see Hebrews 4:14). The chapter is messianic. “From the promises of a glorious future for the city and people of God, Zechariah turns to the means by which they are to be achieved. God will raise up a perfect priestly Mediator, of whom Joshua and his fellow-priests are a foreshadowing.” (Guthrie and Motyer, New Bible Commentary, p. 790.) ] standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? [ How Is Israel “a Brand Plucked out of the Fire”? This is “perhaps a proverbial expression. Israel as a nation had been rescued from the furnace of Babylon . . . to become a torch to enlighten the nations.” (Guthrie and Motyer, New Bible Commentary, p. 791.)]

3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, [ What Is the Symbolism of “Filthy Garments”? “Joshua is opposed by Satan [see Zechariah 3:1], . . . not on account of any personal offences either in his private or his domestic life, but in his official capacity as high priest, and for sins which were connected with his office, or for offences which would involve the nation [Leviticus 4:3]; though not as the bearer of the sins of the people before the Lord, but as laden with his own and his people’s sins. The dirty clothes, which he had on, point to this [Zechariah 3:3].” (Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary, 10:2:251.) The garment of filthiness represents sin. Changing the garment symbolizes doing away with the old and putting on the new—which would be robes of righteousness.] and stood before the angel.

4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.

6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,

7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. [see Isaiah 11:1. This is a messianic reference.]

9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

10 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.