Zechariah 6:13
Yes, He will build the temple of the LORD; He will be clothed in splendor and will sit on His throne and rule. And He will be a priest on His throne, and there will be peaceful counsel between the two.'
Yes, He will build the temple of the LORD;

Zerubbabel and Joshua helped restore the Second Temple after the exile, but their work anticipated the greater ministry of the Branch, the promised Messiah. Jesus identified His own body as the temple to be raised after His death and resurrection (John 2:19–21). Through His saving work, He also builds His people into God’s dwelling place by the Spirit, forming the Church as a holy temple (Ephesians 2:19–22).

2Sa 7:13 He will build a house for My Name, and I will…
1Ch 17:12 He will build a house for Me, and I will…
Eph 2:21-22 In Him the whole building is fitted together…

He will be clothed in splendor

The Messiah bears the honor, majesty, and glory belonging to God’s appointed King and Priest. Christ’s exaltation followed His humiliation and sacrificial death. He now possesses the glory He shared with the Father before the world began (John 17:5), and Revelation portrays Him in priestly and kingly splendor among His churches (Revelation 1:13–16).

Psa 104:1-2 Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God,…
Psa 96:6 Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty…
Psa 45:3-4 Strap your sword at your side, O mighty warrior;…

and will sit on His throne and rule.

The promised Son of David reigns with eternal authority. Jesus has been seated at the right hand of the Father, awaiting the final subjection of every enemy beneath His feet (Hebrews 1:3; 10:12–13). His kingdom is established in righteousness, justice, and peace, and it will never end (Isaiah 9:6–7).

Psa 110:1-2 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord:…
Luk 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High…
Dan 7:13-14 In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw…

And He will be a priest on His throne,

Israel ordinarily kept the royal and priestly offices distinct, yet the Messiah fulfills both without conflict. Jesus is the eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, not dependent on Levitical descent and never replaced by another priest (Hebrews 5:5–6; 7:23–25). Having offered Himself once for sins, He continually intercedes for those who draw near to God through Him.

Psa 110:4 The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind…
Heb 7:17 For it is testified: “You are a priest forever…
Heb 8:1 The point of what we are saying is this:…

and there will be peaceful counsel between the two.’

Kingship and priesthood meet perfectly in Christ. His royal authority and priestly mediation work together to accomplish God’s redeeming purpose. By His blood, Jesus brings peace between God and sinners, and He creates one redeemed people reconciled to God and to one another (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:14–18).

Isa 11:2-9 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom…
Isa 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,…
Heb 7:2-3 and Abraham apportioned to him a tenth of everything.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Branch
A messianic figure, often interpreted as a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, who is both king and priest.

2. The Temple of the LORD
Represents the place of worship and the presence of God among His people.

3. The Throne
Symbolizes authority and governance, indicating the rule of the messianic figure.

4. Priesthood
The role of mediating between God and man, traditionally separate from kingship in Israel.

5. Peaceful Counsel
The harmonious relationship between the roles of king and priest, unified in the Messiah.
Teaching Points
The Dual Role of Christ
Jesus fulfills both the kingly and priestly roles, bridging the gap between God and humanity. This unity is unique and signifies His ultimate authority and mediation.

Building the Temple
Christ is the cornerstone of the spiritual temple, the Church. Believers are called to participate in building this temple through their faith and actions.

Peaceful Counsel
The harmony between the roles of king and priest in Christ serves as a model for unity and peace within the Church and in our personal lives.

Majesty and Humility
While Christ is clothed with majesty, His rule is characterized by humility and service. Believers are called to emulate this balance in their own lives.

Living as Priests and Kings
As followers of Christ, we are called to live out our identity as a royal priesthood, serving God and others with integrity and love.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the dual role of king and priest in Zechariah 6:13 enhance our understanding of Jesus' mission and identity?

2. In what ways can we, as believers, contribute to building the spiritual temple of the Lord today?

3. How does the concept of "peaceful counsel" between the two offices challenge us to seek unity in our communities and churches?

4. Reflect on the majesty and humility of Christ. How can we apply these attributes in our daily interactions and leadership roles?

5. Considering our identity as a royal priesthood, what practical steps can we take to live out this calling in our personal and communal lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 11:1-10
Describes the Branch from the root of Jesse, highlighting the messianic prophecy of a ruler who will bring peace and justice.

Psalm 110:4
Speaks of a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, connecting to the dual role of king and priest.

Hebrews 7:1-3
Discusses Melchizedek as a type of Christ, emphasizing the eternal priesthood and kingship of Jesus.

Revelation 5:10
Refers to believers as a kingdom and priests, reflecting the dual roles united in Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-22
Describes believers as being built into a holy temple, with Christ as the cornerstone.
A Priest Upon His ThroneG. Body, M. A.Zechariah 6:13
Christ -- Priest and KingF. B. Meyer, B. A.Zechariah 6:13
Christ Glorified as the Builder of His ChurchCharles Haddon Spurgeon Zechariah 6:13
Christ Glorified as the Builder of the ChurchZechariah 6:13
Christ the Branch, and the Builder of the Spiritual TemplJosiah Redford.Zechariah 6:13
Christ, the Builder and Ruler of the TempleDavid Couper.Zechariah 6:13
Christ, the Builder of the ChurchJ. Scholefield, M. A.Zechariah 6:13
Of Christ's Offices in GeneralT. Boston, D. D.Zechariah 6:13
The Builder of the Spiritual TempleT. B. Baker.Zechariah 6:13
The Church the Temple of GodC. Bradley, M. A.Zechariah 6:13
The Living TempleA. Bonar.Zechariah 6:13
The Priest of the World and King of MenA. Maclaren, D. D.Zechariah 6:13
The Spiritual Temple of JehovahRobert Burns, D. D.Zechariah 6:13
The TempleG. Brooks.Zechariah 6:13
Messiah the PrinceW. Forsyth Zechariah 6:9-15
On Christ's Name, the BranchJames Robe, M. A.Zechariah 6:9-15
The BranchF. Elwin.Zechariah 6:9-15
The Man Whose Name is the BranchR. Watson.Zechariah 6:9-15
The Man Whose Name is the BranchWilliam Findley, M. A.Zechariah 6:9-15
The Matchless Man in HistoryHomilistZechariah 6:9-15
The Matchless Man in HistoryD. Thomas Zechariah 6:9-15
People
Heldai, Helem, Hen, Jedaiah, Jehozadak, Josedech, Joshua, Josiah, Tobijah, Zechariah, Zephaniah, Zerubbabel
Places
Babylon, Jerusalem, Shinar
Topics
Bear, Build, Builder, Clothed, Counsel, Design, Glory, Harmony, Honor, Honour, Joshua, Majesty, Offices, Peace, Peaceful, Power, Priest, Royal, Rule, Ruled, Ruler, Sat, Seat, Sit, Temple, Throne, Thus, Understanding, Yea, Yes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Zechariah 6:13

     2230   Messiah, coming of
     2306   Christ, high priest
     5181   sitting
     5326   government
     5581   throne

Zechariah 6:9-15

     1431   prophecy, OT methods

Zechariah 6:12-13

     4416   branch

Library
The Priest of the World and King of Men
'He shall build the Temple of the Lord ... and He shall be a Priest upon His throne.'--ZECHARIAH vi. 13. A handful of feeble exiles had come back from their Captivity. 'The holy and beautiful house' where their fathers praised Him was burned with fire. There was no king among them, but they still possessed a representative of the priesthood, the other great office of divine appointment. Their first care was to rear some poor copy of the Temple; and the usual difficulties that attend reconstruction
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church
This world is but the echo of the spheres." HEAVEN singeth evermore. Before the throne of God, angels and redeemed saints extol his name. And this world is singing too; sometimes with the loud noise of the rolling thunder, of the boiling sea of the dashing cataract, and of the lowing cattle; and often with that still, solemn harmony, which floweth from the vast creation, when in its silence it praises God. Such is the song which gushes in silence from the mountain lifting its head to the sky, covering
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

The Allegory of Melchizedek.
HEBREWS vii. 1-28 (R.V.). "For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of God Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him, to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (being first, by interpretation, King of righteousness, and then also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of God), abideth a priest continually. Now consider
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Ascension
"So then the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen." MARK 16:19-20 (R.V.) WE have reached the close of the great Gospel of the energies of Jesus, His toils, His manner, His searching gaze, His noble indignation, His love of children, the consuming zeal by virtue of which He was not more truly the
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate,
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The King --Continued.
The second event recorded as important in the bright early years is the great promise of the perpetuity of the kingdom in David's house. As soon as the king was firmly established and free from war, he remembered the ancient word which said, "When He giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety, then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause His name to dwell there" (Deut. xii. 10, 11). His own ease rebukes him; he regards his tranquillity
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

Questions.
LESSON I. 1. In what state was the Earth when first created? 2. To what trial was man subjected? 3. What punishment did the Fall bring on man? 4. How alone could his guilt be atoned for? A. By his punishment being borne by one who was innocent. 5. What was the first promise that there should be such an atonement?--Gen. iii. 15. 6. What were the sacrifices to foreshow? 7. Why was Abel's offering the more acceptable? 8. From which son of Adam was the Seed of the woman to spring? 9. How did Seth's
Charlotte Mary Yonge—The Chosen People

Peace
Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. I Pet 1:1. Having spoken of the first fruit of sanctification, assurance, I proceed to the second, viz., Peace, Peace be multiplied:' What are the several species or kinds of Peace? Peace, in Scripture, is compared to a river which parts itself into two silver streams. Isa 66:12. I. There is an external peace, and that is, (1.) (Economical, or peace in a family. (2.) Political, or peace in the state. Peace is the nurse of plenty. He maketh peace in thy borders,
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Zechariah
CHAPTERS I-VIII Two months after Haggai had delivered his first address to the people in 520 B.C., and a little over a month after the building of the temple had begun (Hag. i. 15), Zechariah appeared with another message of encouragement. How much it was needed we see from the popular despondency reflected in Hag. ii. 3, Jerusalem is still disconsolate (Zech. i. 17), there has been fasting and mourning, vii. 5, the city is without walls, ii. 5, the population scanty, ii. 4, and most of the people
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
Zechariah 6:13 NIV
Zechariah 6:13 NLT
Zechariah 6:13 ESV
Zechariah 6:13 NASB
Zechariah 6:13 KJV

Zechariah 6:13 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Zechariah 6:12
Top of Page
Top of Page