Single lesson
Zechariah 5: The Vision of the Flying Scroll
Zechariah 5:1–4; Zechariah 5:5–11
Zechariah sees another vision: a large flying scroll. Its meaning is explained within the passage itself. Yahweh says this scroll is a curse that goes out over the land against the thief and the one who swears falsely by his name. This lesson also brings together The Vision of the Woman in a Basket.
Before you teach
Zechariah first reports what he sees, and then he answers a question about it. After that, the vision is interpreted. The flying scroll is identified as a curse over the whole land. Yahweh of Armies says it will go into the house of the thief and the one who swears falsely by his name, and it will destroy that house.
Explain the central teaching of Zechariah 5: The Vision of the Flying Scroll, using two details from the reading. This vision shows Yahweh sending judgement against stealing and false swearing by his name. This vision presents Wickedness as something identified, contained, and carried to an appointed place in the land of Shinar.
Welcome: Zechariah 5: The Vision of the Flying Scroll
5 minIntroduce “The Vision of the Flying Scroll”, “The Vision of the Woman in a Basket” and locate Zechariah 5:1–4; Zechariah 5:5–11. This vision shows Yahweh sending judgement against stealing and false swearing by his name. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Zechariah 5:1, Zechariah 5:3, Zechariah 5:4
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe Vision of the Flying Scroll (Zechariah 5:1–4): The vision begins simply and clearly. Zechariah lifts up his eyes and sees “a flying scroll”. The passage does not leave the image unexplained for long. Later, the scroll is identified as a curse that goes out over the land. The first detail to notice is the striking sight itself: a scroll in flight.
The Vision of the Woman in a Basket (Zechariah 5:5–11): The vision begins with guidance. The angel who talks with Zechariah tells him to lift up his eyes and see what is appearing. Zechariah does not assume he understands it, so he asks, “What is it?” That question matters because the meaning is given by the interpreting angel, not by guesswork.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “The Vision of the Flying Scroll”, “The Vision of the Woman in a Basket”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Zechariah 5:1, Zechariah 5:3, Zechariah 5:5, Zechariah 5:6
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What does Zechariah first say he sees, and what extra detail does he give when asked about it?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. This vision presents Wickedness as something identified, contained, and carried to an appointed place in the land of Shinar. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Zechariah 5:1, Zechariah 5:2, Zechariah 5:3, Zechariah 5:4, Zechariah 5:10, Zechariah 5:11
Make and respond: Vision and message evidence map
12 minWork on “Zechariah 5: The Vision of the Flying Scroll: Vision and message evidence map”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “The Vision of the Flying Scroll”, “The Vision of the Woman in a Basket” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Zechariah 5:1, Zechariah 5:6, Zechariah 5:11
Closing: return to The Vision of the Woman in a Basket
3 minRevisit Zechariah 5:5–11. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about The Vision of the Woman in a Basket and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Zechariah 5:5, Zechariah 5:8, Zechariah 5:11
Questions to explore
What does Zechariah first say he sees, and what extra detail does he give when asked about it?
Start with the phrase “a flying scroll”, then add the measurements Zechariah gives in his answer.
Zechariah 5:1, Zechariah 5:2
Which two sins are named in the interpretation of the scroll?
Look at the two parts of the explanation in verse 3, then notice how verse 4 describes the false swearing more fully.
Zechariah 5:3, Zechariah 5:4
Where is the basket taken, and what is prepared there?
Use Zechariah’s question to the angel and the angel’s direct answer about Shinar and a house.
Zechariah 5:10, Zechariah 5:11
Make, think or respond
Zechariah 5: The Vision of the Flying Scroll: Vision and message evidence map
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage describes”, “What is explained in the text”, “What question remains”.
- Read Zechariah 5:1–4; Zechariah 5:5–11. Use “The Vision of the Flying Scroll”, “The Vision of the Woman in a Basket” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Circle an explanation the passage itself provides. Leave unexplained details as questions for further reading.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Zechariah 5: The Vision of the Flying Scroll connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “The Vision of the Flying Scroll”, “The Vision of the Woman in a Basket” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Zechariah 5:1–4; Zechariah 5:5–11. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Zechariah 5:1–4; Zechariah 5:5–11. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Zechariah 5
1 Then again I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, a flying scroll.
2 He said to me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a flying scroll; its length is twenty cubits, and its width ten cubits.”
3 Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the surface of the whole land, for everyone who steals shall be cut off according to it on the one side; and everyone who swears falsely shall be cut off according to it on the other side.
4 I will cause it to go out,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and it will enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him who swears falsely by my name; and it will remain in the middle of his house, and will destroy it with its timber and its stones.”
5 Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, “Lift up now your eyes and see what this is that is appearing.”
6 I said, “What is it?” He said, “This is the ephah basket that is appearing.” He said moreover, “This is their appearance in all the land—
7 and behold, a lead cover weighing one talent was lifted up—and there was a woman sitting in the middle of the ephah basket.”
8 He said, “This is Wickedness;” and he threw her down into the middle of the ephah basket; and he threw the lead weight on its mouth.
9 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw, and behold, there were two women; and the wind was in their wings. Now they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the ephah basket between earth and the sky.
10 Then I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are these carrying the ephah basket?”
11 He said to me, “To build her a house in the land of Shinar. When it is prepared, she will be set there in her own place.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.