Zechariah Chapter 3

Joshua the high priest stands accused by Satan, then is cleansed and clothed by the LORD.

Zechariah 3: Joshua's Filthy Garments Removed

After the vision of Jerusalem's protection in Zechariah 2, the scene shifts to Joshua the high priest standing in filthy garments before the angel of the LORD while Satan stands ready to accuse him.


And the Lord shewed me Jesus the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord: and Satan stood on his right hand to be his adversary.

And the Lord said to Satan: The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan: and the Lord that chose Jerusalem rebuke thee: Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

And Jesus was clothed with filthy garments: and he stood before the face of the angel.

Who answered, and said to them that stood before him, saying: Take away the filthy garments from him. And he said to him: Behold I have taken away thy iniquity, and have clothed thee with change of garments.

And he said: Put a clean mitre upon his head: and they put a clean mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments, and the angel of the Lord stood.

And the angel of the Lord protested to Jesus, saying:

Thus saith the Lord of hosts: If thou wilt walk in my ways, and keep my charge, thou also shalt judge my house, and shalt keep my courts, and I will give thee some of them that are now present here to walk with thee.

Hear, O Jesus thou high priest, thou and thy friends that dwell before thee, for they are portending men: for behold, I WILL BRING MY SERVANT THE ORIENT.

For behold the stone that I have laid before Jesus: upon one stone there are seven eyes: behold I will grave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts: and I will take away the iniquity of that land in one day.

In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, every man shall call his friend under the vine and under the fig tree.

The LORD rebukes the accuser, calling Joshua 'a brand plucked out of the fire,' language also used of rescued survivors in <a href="/bible/drc/amos/chapter-4/11">Amos 4:11</a>, then promises to bring forth His servant the BRANCH. The golden candlestick vision follows in <a href="/bible/drc/zechariah/chapter-4">Zechariah 4</a>.