Zechariah 13:7 – Who is the “shepherd” in this verse, and why does the text imply that God himself would strike him, which seems contradictory to other passages?

I. Context and Historical Setting

Zechariah 13:7 reads:

“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, and against the man who is My companion,” declares the LORD of Hosts.

“Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn My hand against the little ones.”

Zechariah ministered to the post-exilic community in Judah, during a time of both spiritual renewal and lingering uncertainties about the promised Messiah. Chapters 12 through 14 of his prophetic message include references to future restoration, judgment, and the Messiah’s work. Zechariah 13:7 is set in a section describing cleansing from sin, the testing of God’s people, and a coming Shepherd who would be stricken, leading to purification and redemption.

II. Identification of the Shepherd

1. Messianic Implications:

Centuries of interpretation (including early Jewish scholarship) have often pointed to a Messianic figure who would be “My Shepherd.” The phrase “the man who is My companion” or “who is close to Me” indicates an extremely close relationship with the LORD of Hosts. In this unique description, the shepherd is not merely a human leader; the term suggests one who shares in God’s nature or purpose. Within the broader scriptural lens, this aligns with the New Testament’s identification of Jesus as both intimately united with the Father and fully human.

2. New Testament Confirmation:

The Gospels quote Zechariah 13:7 in direct reference to Jesus. In Mark 14:27, Jesus says to His disciples, “You will all fall away, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’” Similarly, in Matthew 26:31, Jesus applies the same prophecy to Himself. These quotations clarify that He is the Shepherd foreseen by Zechariah.

3. Shepherd Motif Throughout Scripture:

Scripture repeatedly speaks of a shepherd figure who tends God’s people (e.g., Psalm 23:1; Ezekiel 34:23). In the New Testament, Jesus explicitly states, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Thus, the shepherd in Zechariah 13:7 harmonizes with the consistent biblical portrayal of a divinely appointed leader who cares for and ultimately sacrifices Himself for the people.

III. Why Does the Text Imply That God Himself Would Strike the Shepherd?

1. God’s Sovereign Plan and the Role of the Sword:

The verse begins with “Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd.” The imagery of the sword as God’s instrument of judgment appears elsewhere in Scripture (Isaiah 34:5–6). In this context, the “sword” awakening is a metaphor for the orchestrated events that lead to the Shepherd’s suffering and death. From a human viewpoint, it may appear contradictory for God to strike the very One who serves Him perfectly. Yet the broader prophecy of Scripture clarifies that the Messiah’s suffering was not an accident but part of the divine redemptive plan (Isaiah 53:10; Acts 2:23).

2. The Purpose of the Striking:

Isaiah 53:10 explicitly states, “Yet it pleased the LORD to crush Him.” This aligns with Zechariah’s message that although the Shepherd is closest to God, He must be struck to accomplish salvation. The seeming contradiction disappears once we understand God’s justice and mercy: the Messiah willingly bears sin’s penalty on behalf of humanity (2 Corinthians 5:21). By doing so, He fulfills the plan of a sacrificial substitute, showing both God’s judgment against sin and His love for sinners.

3. Fulfillment in the Crucifixion of Christ:

The Gospels detail that Jesus’s betrayal, suffering, and crucifixion were foreknown by God (John 18:11; Acts 2:23). This was not God’s random act but the deliberate unfolding of His redemptive mission, making it fully consistent with Zechariah 13:7. Though painful, it was for the ultimate purpose of salvation.

IV. Resolving Apparent Contradictions with Other Passages

1. God’s Character of Love and Mercy:

It can seem contradictory that the same God who proclaims, “For I am merciful” (Jeremiah 3:12) would also say, “Strike the Shepherd.” However, Scripture consistently teaches that God is both just and merciful (Psalm 85:10). His justice demands the payment for sin, and His mercy provides a sacrificial Lamb (John 1:29). The Shepherd’s suffering does not clash with God’s nature; rather, it reveals the full measure of both righteousness and grace.

2. Harmony in Prophecy and Redemption:

Some might see tension between verses describing the Messiah as blessed by God (Psalm 2:7–9) and this verse predicting His being stricken. In reality, these passages highlight different facets of the same plan. The Messiah is highly exalted and yet willingly humbles Himself to serve and save (Philippians 2:6–8). After His atoning death, Scripture declares that God raised and exalted Him (Acts 2:24, 2:32–33; Philippians 2:9–11), perfectly harmonizing with the promise of a triumphant Messiah.

3. Scattered Sheep and Divine Restoration:

Zechariah 13:7 mentions the scattering of the sheep, symbolizing the disciples’ fleeing at Jesus’s arrest (Mark 14:50). Nonetheless, God gathers His followers again, establishing the church after the resurrection (Acts 2). Seeming contradictions give way to a greater storyline where God’s plan unfolds precisely as foretold.

V. Theological Significance

1. Substitutionary Atonement:

By presenting God’s Shepherd as struck for the people, Zechariah anticipates the New Testament theme of substitutionary atonement. Jesus’s death satisfies divine justice while extending salvation through faith in His sacrifice (Romans 3:21–26).

2. Sovereignty and Responsibility:

Zechariah 13:7 shows that God is ultimately in control (“Awake, O sword,” declares the LORD), but human decisions—such as rejecting or accepting the Shepherd—bear real consequences (John 3:16–18). There is no contradiction in God’s sovereign orchestration of history and human accountability.

3. Encouragement to Believers:

Understanding that “the Shepherd” willingly endured being struck expands our appreciation for divine love and the high cost of salvation. It highlights the faithfulness of God to fulfill every promise and encourages believers to trust His plan even in suffering.

VI. Conclusion

The Shepherd in Zechariah 13:7 is the promised Messiah, ultimately revealed as Jesus Christ. The text implies that God Himself decreed this striking because it was central to the sovereign plan of redemption. While it may seem at first contradictory—God striking His chosen One—it aligns with the scriptural narrative in which the Messiah suffers to bear humanity’s sins. This prophecy underscores God’s unfolding redemptive purpose, simultaneously displaying His justice, mercy, and unwavering love. The scattered sheep demonstrate humanity’s fragility, but God’s hand of restoration and salvation through Christ shines brightly, fulfilling Zechariah’s vision of cleansing and renewal for the people of God.