1 And the Angell that talked with me, came againe and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleepe:
2 And said vnto mee, What seest thou? and I said, I haue looked, and behold a candlesticke all of gold, with a bowle vpon the top of it, and his seuen lampes thereon, and seuen pipes to the seuen lampes, which were vpon the top thereof.
3 And two Oliue trees by it, one vpon the right side of the bowle, and the other vpon the left side thereof.
4 So I answered and spake to the Angell that talked with mee, saying: What are these, my Lord?
5 Then the Angel that talked with me, answered and said vnto me; Knowest thou not what these be? and I said; No, my Lord.
6 Then hee answered and spake vnto mee, saying; This is the word of the Lord vnto Zerubbabel, saying; Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hostes.
7 Who art thou, O great mountaine? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plaine, and he shall bring forth the head stone thereof with shoutings, crying; Grace, grace vnto it.
8 Moreouer the word of the Lord came vnto me, saying;
9 The hands of Zerubbabel haue layed the foundation of this house: his hands shall also finish it, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hostes hath sent me vnto you.
10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall reioyce and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seuen: they are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth.
11 ¶ Then answered I, and said vnto him; What are these two oliue trees vpon the right side of the candlesticke, and vpon the left side thereof?
12 And I answered againe and said vnto him, What be these two oliue branches, which through the two golden pipes emptie the golden oyle out of themselues?
13 And hee answered mee and said; Knowest thou not what these be? and I said, No, my Lord.
14 Then said he; These are the two annointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.
A vision of a candlestick, with two olive trees. (1-7) Further encouragement. (8-10) An explanation respecting the olive trees. (11-14)1-7 The prophet's spirit was willing to attend, but the flesh was weak. We should beg of God that, whenever he speaks to us, he would awaken us, and we should then stir up ourselves. The church is a golden candlestick, or lamp-bearer, set up for enlightening this dark world, and holding forth the light of Divine revelation. Two olive trees were seen, one on each side the candlestick, from which oil flowed into the bowl without ceasing. God brings to pass his gracious purposes concerning his church, without any art or labour of man; sometimes he makes use of his instruments, yet he needs them not. This represented the abundance of Divine grace, for the enlightening and making holy the ministers and members of the church, and which cannot be procured or prevented by any human power. The vision assures us that the good work of building the temple, should be brought to a happy end. The difficulty is represented as a great mountain. But all difficulties shall vanish, and all the objections be got over. Faith will remove mountains, and make them plains. Christ is our Zerubbabel; mountains of difficulty were in the way of his undertaking, but nothing is too hard for him. What comes from the grace of God, may, in faith, be committed to the grace of God, for he will not forsake the work of his own hands.
8-10 The exact fulfilment of Scripture prophecies is a convincing proof of their Divine original. Though the instruments be weak and unlikely, yet God often chooses such, to bring about great things by them. Let not the dawning light be despised; it will shine more and more to the perfect day. Those who despaired of finishing the work, shall rejoice when they see Zerubbabel giving directions what to do, and taking care that the work be done. It is a comfort to us that the same all-wise, almighty Providence, which governs the earth, is in particular conversant about the church. All that have the plummet in their hands, must look up to the eyes of the Lord, have constant regard to Divine Providence, act in dependence on its guidance and submission to its disposals. Let us fix our faith on Christ, and view Him carrying on his work according to his own glorious plan, and daily bringing his spiritual building nearer to completion.
11-14 Zechariah desires to know what are the two olive trees. Zerubbabel and Joshua, this prince and this priest, were endued with the gifts and graces of God's Spirit. They lived at the same time, and both were instruments in the work and service of God. Christ's offices of King and Priest were shadowed forth by them. From the union of these two offices in his person, both God and man, the fullness of grace is received and imparted. They built the temple, the church of God. So does Christ spiritually. Christ is not only the Messiah, the Anointed One himself, but he is the Good Olive to his church; and from his fulness we receive. And the Holy Spirit is the unction or anointing which we have received. From Christ the Olive Tree, by the Spirit the Olive Branch, all the golden oil of grace flows to believers, which keeps their lamps burning. Let us seek, through the intercession and bounty of the Saviour, supplies from that fulness which has hitherto sufficed for all his saints, according to their trials and employments. Let us wait on him in his ordinances, desiring to be sanctified wholly in body, soul, and spirit.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.