Fr. Eduardo Emilio Aguero, scj
Introduction
Zechariah 12–13 is part of a larger section of the prophet’s book that speaks of God’s action in history. It begins with a reminder that God is Creator and unfolds around the phrase “on that day,” which signals a decisive moment in salvation history. Within this framework, three themes stand out: a) The nations fighting against Jerusalem b) The mourning for the one who is pierced c) The purification of God’s people
A Pierced God
“The word of the Lord concerning Israel: Thus says the Lord, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the human spirit within. See, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling for all the surrounding peoples; it will be against Judah also in the siege against Jerusalem” (12:1-2). After a reference to the time of creation, Jerusalem is surrounded by enemy nations. At this point, God, as a warrior, comes to defend his people. Unexpectedly, in the midst of this scene, the image of a pierced one appears as the center of the text: “They will look upon me whom they have pierced.” (12:10b) The prophet conveys the word of the Lord, and a prophetic oracle has God as the speaker. There is no exception here; God literally declares: “They will look on me, the one they have pierced.” For the Israelites, this is hard to accept. God is spirit; no image of Him could be made. How could He be pierced and afflicted if He has no body? This question still troubles interpreters and translators today. Evidence of this can be found in the different translations of this obscure and controversial verse. The Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible made by Alexandrian rabbis about two centuries before Christ, assumed there must be a copyist error. They changed the verb “to pierce” to “to dance.” The New Jerusalem Bible keeps the literal text. The New Revised Standard Version reads “they will look on the one they have pierced,” as do many other translations.
To interpret the Bible the Catholic way, we need to see that it narrates salvation history. This history unfolds gradually. Figures of the Old Testament are fulfilled, visualized, and finally understood in the New Testament, especially in Christ and his Passover, the “Paschal Mystery” of his death and resurrection. We can then understand the prophecy’s elements, which remain enigmatic to Jews and some Christians. It is the fourth evangelist who helps us understand this mystery: God’s death. John quotes this passage to show how the prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus. Jesus hangs on the cross and is pierced by the lance (see Jn 19:37). It is now possible to comprehend the one whom Zechariah presents as a shepherd closely linked with God, who is killed and causes the scattering of his sheep (Zech 13:7). In Jesus, the Son of God made man, God Himself is pierced. The three persons act in the supreme act of human redemption: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
The Pouring of the Spirit
“I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David.” (12:10a) In the Gospel of John, Jesus does not expire at his death, as in Mark 15:37. Instead, he “gives up his spirit” (Jn 19:30). This is a sign of the Holy Spirit’s gift upon the nascent Church, represented by those few at the foot of the cross, mostly women. The Lord will pour out a spirit of compassion and conversion on the leaders and on the whole nation. The inhabitants of Jerusalem will look upon Him and mourn “the one they [themselves] have pierced.” Conversion is a free gift from God. It allows us to see the truth and experience His unfathomable love. Mourning the one they themselves have pierced, as we do on Good Friday, is part of the process of renewing God’s people. Then, following this time of mourning, we read: “On that day a fountain will be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity” (13:1). Another sign of the Holy Spirit’s gift is the water that flowed from the Savior’s open side (Jn 19:34). As seen in Ezekiel 47:1-12, Jesus’ body is the temple (cf. Jn 2:19). From Him flow living waters. The Lord is the pierced and wounded one who identifies with the just who suffer for the sake of the Gospel (Mt 5:11-12). The pierced one also relates to the shepherd, wounded and killed, who is a companion or assistant of God in Zech 13:7; Jesus is God’s only begotten Son, sent by the Father, so that the world, through Him, may attain life in abundance (cf. Jn 3:16; 10:10b).
Looking at the Pierced One
Mourning and weeping for an only son (12:10c) shows the mourners recognize their guilt. They also admit responsibility for their cruelty towards him. Looking at the one who is raised up recalls Numbers 21:9, where Moses put a serpent on a pole for the people to look at and be healed of their sin. Building on this, in John 3:14, Jesus says: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” In the desert, looking at the serpent brought healing for complainers against the Lord. Here, looking at the pierced one brings forgiveness and new life for those who have pierced Him by their sins.
Hope and Purification
“On that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity” (13:1). Only in the Lord Jesus Christ, fountain of salvation for all humanity, can we be cleansed and renewed from within. From His opened side, we can quench the deepest thirst of our souls: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture says, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water ‘” (Jn 7:37-38).
These two chapters offer us a powerful message of hope. In particular, it is God who delivers the battle that liberates the city—not with weapons, but by bearing the wounds of the weapons we have made. Although high priests and kings have failed, the Lord will deliver His people through the precious blood of His only begotten Son. There is no greater love than this (cf. Jn 15:13). Chapter 13 begins with the promise of cleansing. A fountain of purification will be opened for Jerusalem, washing away sin and impurity. In this way, God Himself provides salvation.
Praying with the Word of God
This passage ultimately invites us to look at the one we have pierced; therefore, let us spend some time contemplating the wounded side of our Savior on a crucifix. During this time, remain in silence and thanksgiving, praising Him who offered Himself for you and died on the cross to seal a new friendship with humanity through the mediation of His Church. Ask the gift of the Holy Spirit to transform you and make of your life a love offering to the Father, for the world in Christ.
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