1 I lift vp mine eyes againe, and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.
2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And hee said vnto me, To measure Ierusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
3 And behold, the Angel that talked with me, went foorth, and another Angel went out to meete him:
4 And said vnto him, Run, speake to this young man, saying; Ierusalem shall be inhabited as townes without walles, for the multitude of men and cattell therein.
5 For I, saith the Lord, will be vnto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
6 ¶ Ho, ho, come foorth, and flee from the land of the North, saith the Lord: for I haue spread you abroad as the foure windes of the heauen, sayth the Lord.
7 Deliuer thy selfe, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
8 For thus sayth the Lord of hostes, After the glory hath he sent me vnto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of his eye.
9 For behold, I will shake mine hand vpon them, and they shall bee a spoile to their seruants: and yee shall know that the Lord of hostes hath sent me.
10 ¶ Sing and reioyce, O daughter of Zion: for loe, I come, and I will dwell in the middest of thee, sayth the Lord.
11 And many nations shalbe ioyned to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwel in the middest of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hostes hath sent me vnto thee.
12 And the Lord shall inherite Iudah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Ierusalem againe.
13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised vp out of his holy habitation.
The prosperity of Jerusalem. (1-5) The Jews called to return to their own land. (6-9) A promise of God's presence. (10-13)1-5 The Son of David, even the Man Christ Jesus, whom the prophet sees with a measuring line in his hand, is the Master-Builder of his church. God notices the extent of his church, and will take care that whatever number of guests are brought to the wedding-supper, there shall be room. This vision means well to Jerusalem. The walls of a city, as they defend it, so they straiten its inhabitants; but Jerusalem shall be extended as freely as if it had no walls at all, yet shall be as safe as if it had the strongest walls. In the church of God there yet is room for other multitudes, more than man can number. None shall be refused who trust in Christ; and He never shuts out from heaven one true member of the church on earth. God will be a Wall of fire round them, which can neither be broken through nor undermined, nor can it be assailed without danger to those who attack. This vision was to have its full accomplishment in the gospel church, which is extended by admitting the Gentiles into it; and which has the Son of God for its Prince and Protector; especially in the glorious times yet to come.
6-9 If God will build Jerusalem for the people and their comfort, they must inhabit it for him and his glory. The promises and privileges with which God's people are blessed, should engage us to join them, whatever it costs us. When Zion is enlarged to make room for all God's Israel, it is the greatest madness for any of them to stay in Babylon. The captivity of a sinful state is by no means to be continued in, though a man may be easy in worldly matters. Escape for thy life, look not behind thee. Christ has proclaimed that deliverance to the captives, which he has himself wrought out, and it concerns every one to resolve that sin shall not have dominion over him. Those who would be found among God's children, must save themselves from this world, see #Ac 2:40|. What Christ will do for his church, shall be an evident proof of God's care and affection. He that touches you, touches the apple of his eye. This is a strong expression of God's love to his church. He takes what is done against her as done against the tenderest part of the eye, to which the least touch is a great offence. Christ is sent to be the Protector of his church.
10-13 Here is a prediction of the coming of Christ in human nature. Many nations in that day would renounce idolatry, and God will own those for his people who join him with purpose of heart. Glorious times are foretold as a prophecy of our Lord's coming and kingdom. God is about to do something unexpected, and very surprising, and to plead his people's cause, which had long seemed neglected. Silently submit to his holy will, and patiently wait the event; assured that God will complete all his work. He will ere long come to judgment, to complete the salvation of his people, and to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their sins.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.