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The Vision of Joshua the High Priest
Zechariah 3:1–10 is a vision about Joshua the high priest. It shows accusation, cleansing, instruction and future hope, using symbolic images that the passage itself partly explains.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
Joshua the high priest stands before Yahweh’s angel while Satan stands as his adversary. The vision then focuses on Joshua’s filthy garments, their removal, and Yahweh’s words about Joshua’s service, a coming servant called the Branch, a stone, and the land’s iniquity removed.
Zechariah 3:1–10Main takeaway
This vision presents Yahweh rebuking the accuser, removing iniquity, charging Joshua to faithful obedience, and promising future cleansing and peace.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Joshua accused before the angelThe vision opens with Joshua standing before Yahweh’s angel, while Satan stands at Joshua’s right hand as an adversary.
Explanation
The vision opens with Joshua standing before Yahweh’s angel, while Satan stands at Joshua’s right hand as an adversary. Yahweh rebukes Satan and points to his choice of Jerusalem. The picture of a burning stick plucked from the fire shows rescue from danger.
02Filthy garments removedJoshua is wearing filthy garments before the angel. Those garments are taken away, and the meaning is stated clearly: Joshua’s iniquity has passed from him.
Explanation
Joshua is wearing filthy garments before the angel. Those garments are taken away, and the meaning is stated clearly: Joshua’s iniquity has passed from him. He is then clothed with rich clothing, and a clean turban is set on his head while Yahweh’s angel stands by.
03A charge and promise for JoshuaAfter Joshua is reclothed, Yahweh’s angel solemnly assures him. Joshua is to walk in Yahweh’s ways and follow his instructions.
Explanation
After Joshua is reclothed, Yahweh’s angel solemnly assures him. Joshua is to walk in Yahweh’s ways and follow his instructions. If he does, he will judge Yahweh’s house, keep his courts, and receive a place of access among those standing there.
04Signs of future cleansing and peaceJoshua and his fellows are called men who are a sign. Yahweh says he will bring out his servant, the Branch.
Explanation
Joshua and his fellows are called men who are a sign. Yahweh says he will bring out his servant, the Branch. He also speaks of a stone set before Joshua, then promises to remove the iniquity of the land in one day and bring peace among neighbours.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Yahweh say the change of Joshua’s clothes means?
Read the direct explanation given when the filthy garments are removed.
02What responsibilities and privileges are promised to Joshua if he walks in Yahweh’s ways?
List the promises in the order they appear in the verse.
03Which future signs or promises are named after Joshua is addressed with his fellows?
Notice the Branch, the stone, the removal of iniquity, and the final picture of peace.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Zechariah 3:1–10
1He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before Yahweh’s angel, and Satan standing at his right hand to be his adversary.
2Yahweh said to Satan, “Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Yes, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?”
3Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the angel.
4He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.”
5I said, “Let them set a clean turban on his head.” So they set a clean turban on his head, and clothed him; and Yahweh’s angel was standing by.
6Yahweh’s angel solemnly assured Joshua, saying,
7“Yahweh of Armies says: ‘If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by.
8Hear now, Joshua the high priest, you and your fellows who sit before you, for they are men who are a sign; for, behold, I will bring out my servant, the Branch.
9For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua: on one stone are seven eyes; behold, I will engrave its inscription,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
10In that day,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘you will invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.’ ”