Zechariah 13:3 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →So great is the hatred of falsehood in that day that even a false prophet's own parents will renounce and judge him for lying in God's name.
What Does Zechariah 13:3 Mean?
Having promised to remove the false prophets, God shows how thoroughly the people will share His own zeal for truth. The law had warned that speaking lies in the LORD's name was a deadly betrayal. Here even a man's father and mother, the very ones who gave him life, refuse to shield him when he claims a word God never spoke.
Love of God can run deeper than love of family when His name is at stake. This is not cruelty but a heart so aligned with truth that it will not excuse falsehood, even in its own household. The verse exposes how seriously God regards those who speak in His name without His authority, and how purified a community becomes when truth matters more than comfort.
Zechariah 13:3 in the Original Language
naqar (נָקַר), 'lie' -- a deliberate deception, here a falsehood made worse by being spoken under God's own name.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zechariah 13:3
What does Zechariah 13:3 mean?
So great is the hatred of falsehood in that day that even a false prophet's own parents will renounce and judge him for lying in God's name.