Zechariah 12
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedThe LORD, "which stretcheth forth the heavens," says he will make Jerusalem "a cup of trembling" and "a burdensome stone for all people" when the nations gather against it, and he will defend its inhabitants. Then he will "pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications," and "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son." The land will mourn, every family apart. Zechariah 12:1Zechariah 12:2Zechariah 12:3Zechariah 12:8Zechariah 12:9Zechariah 12:10Zechariah 12:12
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
The LORD speaks of Jerusalem, Judah and its governors, and "the house of David." The mourning families named are those of David, Nathan, Levi and Shimei. Zechariah 12:5Zechariah 12:7Zechariah 12:10Zechariah 12:12Zechariah 12:13
Where
Jerusalem under siege, and the mourning compared to "the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon." 2 Kings 23:29 records that King Josiah was slain at Megiddo. Zechariah 12:2Zechariah 12:112 Kings 23:29JerusalemMegiddo
When
"In that day" is repeated through the chapter, and no date is given. Chapters 9-14 carry no dates. Traditionally written by Zechariah; many scholars assign these chapters to a later writer or writers. Zechariah 12:3Zechariah 12:8Zechariah 12:11Zechariah overview
How it fits
Chapter 11 told how the shepherd was priced at thirty pieces of silver; here those who pierced "me" look on him and mourn. Chapter 13 continues: "In that day there shall be a fountain opened... for sin and for uncleanness." Zechariah 11:13Zechariah 12:10Zechariah 13:1Zechariah overview
Key verses
- Verse 3
"I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." Zechariah 12:3
- Verse 8
"He that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them." Zechariah 12:8
- Verse 10
"They shall look upon me whom they have pierced." John 19:37 quotes this verse, and Revelation 1:7 says, "every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him." Zechariah 12:10Revelation 1:7Zechariah overview
Takeaway
God defends his people and pours out a spirit of grace; true repentance mourns deeply over the one who was pierced. Zechariah 12:8Zechariah 12:10
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.
Jerusalem a burdensome stone
1The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him. 2Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. 3And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. 4In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness. 5And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God. 6In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. 7The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. 8In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. 9And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
They shall look on the one they pierced
10And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. 11In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. 12And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; 13The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; 14All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.