The Eschatological Attack of Jerusalem by Non-Israelite Nations in Zechariah and the Death of Jesus

Throughout Zechariah 9–14, the prophet envisions an eschatological attack on Jerusalem by non-Israelite nations, like the earlier attack by the Babylonians, but in this case, God will defend and save the inhabitants of the city by natural and supernatural means.

As part of this attack, a king who is afflicted and saved rides into Jerusalem on a donkey (9:9), one who is close to God is pierced (12:10), and a shepherd is struck (13:7). After the battle, a fountain of cleansing is opened (13:1), a new covenant relationship between God and his people is established (13:9), and survivors from the nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh of hosts (14:9, 17).

This paper traces the use of Zechariah 9–14 in the Gospels by means of quotation, allusion, and reuse of themes...

This attack of Jerusalem by non-Israelite nations is commonly interpreted as fulfilled in the Maccabean revolt in the early second century BC, or the Roman destruction of the Jerusalem temple in 70 AD, or an “end-time” battle at Jerusalem. However, each of these interpretations poses difficulties.

This paper traces the use of Zechariah 9–14 in the Gospels by means of quotation, allusion, and reuse of themes, and argues that the apocalyptic-eschatological language surrounding the attack of Jerusalem by non-Israelite nations in Zechariah is used symbolically in the Gospels to describe the death of Jesus.