And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.
And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. This shocking verse describes the severity with which false prophecy will be treated in the purified community. The closest family members—"his father and his mother that begat him"—become the executors of justice, demonstrating that covenant loyalty to God transcends even the strongest human bonds.
The charge is specific: "Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD" (lo tichyeh ki sheker dibarta be-shem Yahweh, לֹא תִחְיֶה כִּי־שֶׁקֶר דִּבַּרְתָּ בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה). Speaking falsehood while claiming divine authority warrants death penalty according to Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and 18:20. The phrase "thrust him through" (dekaruhu, דְּקָרֻהוּ) uses the same root as 12:10's "pierced" (dakaru), creating verbal connection between the pierced Messiah and judgment on false prophets—Christ suffered the death penalty in our place, bearing the judgment deserved by all who speak against God.
The parents executing judgment shows the community's zero tolerance for false prophecy. This isn't describing literal practice in post-exilic Israel but the eschatological purity of Messiah's kingdom where falsehood cannot coexist with God's presence. Truth will be so valued and deception so abhorred that even family loyalty won't protect false teachers.
Historical Context
Deuteronomy 13:6-11 commanded Israelites to execute family members who enticed them to idolatry, prioritizing covenant loyalty over kinship. This verse applies similar principle to false prophecy—those who claim to speak for God but deceive must be removed. In ancient Israel, false prophets proliferated (Jeremiah 23:9-40, Ezekiel 13:1-23), leading people astray and preventing genuine repentance. The exile resulted partly from heeding false prophets who promised peace when judgment was coming (Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11).
Zechariah envisions a future when the community will be so purified and committed to truth that false prophecy will be immediately rejected and punished. This never occurred in post-exilic Israel's history, pointing to eschatological fulfillment. In the church age, false teachers are to be exposed and removed from fellowship (2 John 10-11, Titus 3:10-11), though not executed physically. The ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's return when all deception ends and only truth remains (Revelation 21:8, 22:15). The shocking severity underscores how seriously God takes those who falsely claim to speak for Him.
Questions for Reflection
How does this passage challenge our culture's tolerance for doctrinal error and false teaching in the name of 'grace' or 'unity'?
What does God's severe judgment on false prophecy teach about the responsibility of those who claim to teach or speak His word?
In what ways should church discipline today reflect zero tolerance for false teaching while also showing patience with sincere believers who are growing in understanding?
Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth. This shocking verse describes the severity with which false prophecy will be treated in the purified community. The closest family members—"his father and his mother that begat him"—become the executors of justice, demonstrating that covenant loyalty to God transcends even the strongest human bonds.
The charge is specific: "Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD" (lo tichyeh ki sheker dibarta be-shem Yahweh, לֹא תִחְיֶה כִּי־שֶׁקֶר דִּבַּרְתָּ בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה). Speaking falsehood while claiming divine authority warrants death penalty according to Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and 18:20. The phrase "thrust him through" (dekaruhu, דְּקָרֻהוּ) uses the same root as 12:10's "pierced" (dakaru), creating verbal connection between the pierced Messiah and judgment on false prophets—Christ suffered the death penalty in our place, bearing the judgment deserved by all who speak against God.
The parents executing judgment shows the community's zero tolerance for false prophecy. This isn't describing literal practice in post-exilic Israel but the eschatological purity of Messiah's kingdom where falsehood cannot coexist with God's presence. Truth will be so valued and deception so abhorred that even family loyalty won't protect false teachers.