Outline of Zechariah: The LORD returns to cleanse and dwell with His people

The LORD calls His people to repent and promises mercy for Jerusalem and judgment on its oppressors.

Return instead of repeating rebellion 1:1–6 · The mounted patrol reports 1:7–11 · Mercy promised for Jerusalem 1:12–17 · The scattering powers confronted 1:18–21

The LORD promises to dwell with His people, gather nations to Himself and protect those He has chosen.

A city protected by the LORD 2:1–5 · Leave the place of plunder 2:6–9 · Many nations become His people 2:10–13

The LORD removes Joshua's guilt, restores him to service and promises decisive cleansing through the Branch.

The accuser answered and guilt removed 3:1–5 · Restored for faithful service 3:6–7 · The Branch and the day of cleansing 3:8–10

The LORD promises that His Spirit will enable Zerubbabel to finish the temple despite the apparent weakness of the work.

The lampstand and olive trees 4:1–5 · The Spirit will complete the work 4:6–10 · The anointed servants 4:11–14

The LORD sends His curse against covenant-breaking and removes personified wickedness from the land.

The flying curse reaches the guilty 5:1–4 · Wickedness confined 5:5–8 · Wickedness carried to Shinar 5:9–11

The LORD sends His servants through the earth and points beyond Joshua to the Branch who will rule as priest and king.

The heavenly chariots commissioned 6:1–8 · Joshua receives a crown 6:9–11 · The Branch will rule and build 6:12–15

The LORD exposes self-centered mourning and recalls the injustice and refusal to hear that brought exile.

A question about the fast 7:1–3 · For whom were you fasting? 7:4–7 · Justice and mercy required 7:8–10 · Refusal brought desolation 7:11–14

The LORD promises restored life, requires truth and peace, and draws many nations to seek Him with His people.

God returns to dwell with His people 8:1–8 · Strength for the present work 8:9–13 · Promised good calls for truthful living 8:14–17 · Fasts become feasts 8:18–19 · Many nations seek the LORD 8:20–23

The LORD defeats oppressive powers and sends a humble King whose saving rule reaches the ends of the earth.

Judgment and a remnant from former enemies 9:1–8 · Your King comes in humility 9:9–10 · Prisoners of hope released 9:11–13 · The LORD saves His flock 9:14–17

The LORD rejects false comfort, provides faithful rule and gathers His scattered people in a new act of deliverance.

Ask the LORD, not false guides 10:1–2 · God attends to His flock 10:3–5 · Compassion gathers the scattered 10:6–9 · A new deliverance through distress 10:10–12

Rejecting the LORD's shepherding brings broken favor, division and exposure to destructive leaders.

A lament for devastated greatness 11:1–3 · A flock exploited without mercy 11:4–6 · Favor broken after rejection 11:7–11 · Thirty pieces and broken union 11:12–14 · The worthless shepherd judged 11:15–17

The Creator protects His people and grants grace that turns them to the One they have pierced in deep repentance.

The Creator defends His people 12:1–5 · Judah and Jerusalem strengthened 12:6–9 · Grace produces deep mourning 12:10–14

The LORD removes sin and false worship, strikes His appointed Shepherd and refines a people who call upon Him.

The cleansing fountain opened 13:1 · False worship exposed and removed 13:2–6 · The Shepherd struck 13:7 · A remnant refined 13:8–9

The LORD defeats His people's enemies, gives life and security, and makes all their dwelling and worship holy.

The LORD intervenes in the crisis 14:1–5 · Life under the universal King 14:6–11 · The attackers defeated 14:12–15 · The nations summoned to worship 14:16–19 · All of life made holy 14:20–21