Question 1

What is the “fountain opened for sin and uncleanness” in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The fountain is a picture of God’s generous and constant cleansing for His people. It is opened for the house of David and the people in Jerusalem, showing that forgiveness and washing from sin come from God Himself, not from their own efforts. This fountain points to the sacrifice of Christ, whose blood cleanses from sin and inner uncleanness. It is not a one-time trickle but an open, running supply. Anyone who turns to God in repentance may come to this fountain and be washed, no matter how deep their past defilement has been.

Question 2

Why does God promise to cut off the names of idols and remove false prophets?

Accepted Answer

God promises to cut off the names of idols so that they are no longer even remembered. This shows He wants His people to belong to Him alone, without rivals. Idols and false prophets go together, because false prophets speak lies that lead people away from the true God. By removing both idols and the unclean spirit behind false teaching, God is cleaning His people’s worship. The passage shows that when God restores and forgives, He also changes hearts and gets rid of what once led them into sin and spiritual confusion.

Question 3

Why would parents say “Thou shalt not live” to a false prophet child?

Accepted Answer

This picture shows how seriously the people will take God’s truth when He cleanses the land. Even parents, who naturally love their children, are pictured as refusing to tolerate lies spoken in God’s name. It reflects the kind of zeal for holiness that values God’s honor above family ties. The point is not to urge harshness today, but to show a future time when no one will excuse false prophecy or soft-pedal it. In that day, loyalty to God’s truth will override every attempt to protect or cover up spiritual deception.

Question 4

Why are the false prophets ashamed and denying they are prophets?

Accepted Answer

When God removes the unclean spirit and exposes false prophecy, those who once claimed to speak for God will be deeply ashamed of their visions and lies. They will drop the rough, prophet-style garments they used to impress people and will no longer pretend to have special authority. Instead, they will say, “I am no prophet, I am a farmer,” admitting they have no true calling from God. This shows a complete collapse of false religion, where pretending to be spiritual no longer works because God’s light has revealed what is real and what is fake.

Question 5

What do the “rough garments” of the prophets represent in this passage?

Accepted Answer

The rough garments were outward signs that someone claimed to be a prophet. They used this clothing to look humble and holy so others would trust their words. In this passage, those garments are part of the deception. When God brings cleansing and truth, the false prophets stop wearing those clothes because they no longer want to be seen as prophets at all. The change of clothing shows repentance and exposure: they can no longer hide behind a religious look or use outward signs to cover a lying heart and message.

Question 6

What are the “wounds in thine hands,” and why are they mentioned?

Accepted Answer

Someone asks the man, “What are these wounds in thine hands?” He answers that they came from the house of his friends, likely meaning punishment he received from close ones for his false ways. These marks show that his past sin left visible traces. Some readers also see a hint of Christ here, who was wounded by those who should have welcomed Him. In any case, the wounds point to pain tied to sin and to relationships. They remind us that turning from false paths often involves both hurt and honest confession.

Question 7

How does this passage point to Christ and His work of cleansing?

Accepted Answer

The open fountain for sin and uncleanness reflects what Christ does through His death and the shedding of His blood. Earlier, the prophet spoke of someone pierced, and this passage follows by speaking of cleansing as if from a flowing fountain. Together, they show that forgiveness and inner washing come from the suffering of God’s chosen King. The fountain is not locked but opened, showing that Christ’s saving work is enough and always available. Those who grieve over sin and come in faith find full pardon and ongoing renewal in Him.

Question 8

How should believers today respond to the warning about false prophets here?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows how serious God is about lies spoken in His name. For believers today, that means not treating false teaching as a small matter. We should test what we hear by Scripture, refuse to follow messages that twist God’s character or ignore sin, and not be impressed just by outward religious appearance. At the same time, we remember the fountain of cleansing. Our first response is to keep coming to Christ for forgiveness and a clean heart, and then to hold to the truth in love, without fear of standing apart from popular but empty messages.

Question 9

Why does this passage seem harsh with judgment but also speak of a cleansing fountain?

Accepted Answer

The passage holds both together on purpose. God’s mercy is seen in the open fountain that washes away sin and uncleanness. At the same time, His holiness appears in the way He removes idols and false prophecy from among His people. Real forgiveness does not leave people in the same sins that ruined them before. Instead, God both pardons and purifies. The hard words about judgment show the cost and seriousness of sin, while the fountain shows His kindness to provide a way back. Together they paint a full picture of His heart.

Zechariah 13:1

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

An End to Idolatry

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Zechariah 13:1

In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

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An End to Idolatry

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