Book of Zechariah - Chapter 13 - Verse 3

This verse from the book of Zechariah in the Bible describes a harsh punishment for false prophets. In ancient times, prophesying in the name of the Lord was taken very seriously, and those who claimed to speak on behalf of God had to be genuine in their messages. If a person was found to be speaking lies in the name of the Lord, even their own parents were expected to condemn them. The verse paints a picture of a society that upheld the sanctity of prophecy and held false prophets accountable for their deceit. The severe consequence of being put to death by one's own parents serves as a warning to those who might attempt to deceive others with false prophecies. It highlights the importance of discerning true prophets from false ones and underscores the gravity of misusing the name of the Lord for personal gain or manipulation.

In this verse from the book of Zechariah, the idea of false prophets and the consequences of their actions are explored. The theological interpretation highlights the seriousness of falsely claiming to speak in the name of the Lord. The verse depicts a scenario where parents reject their own child who falsely prophesies in the name of God. This harsh response shows the severity with which false prophecy was viewed in ancient times. The word "prophecy" in this context refers to speaking on behalf of God, and the Hebrew word used implies a divine message or revelation. The act of thrusting the false prophet through signifies the ultimate punishment for deceiving others in the name of the Lord. This passage serves as a warning against deceitful practices and emphasizes the importance of discerning true messages from God.