Zechariah 11:16
on Healing
Background
The book of Zechariah was written during a season of rebuilding and hope for the people of Israel. After years of exile in Babylon, God brought them back to their homeland, and prophets like Zechariah encouraged them to restore not only the Temple, but also their faith in God’s promises. Zechariah’s prophecies are vibrant, filled with powerful visions, promises of restoration, and honest warnings.
Chapters 1–8 focus on restoration after exile, with God’s assurance of His presence. But chapters 9–14 turn toward Israel’s future of both hope and heartbreak, and their rejection of the Messiah.
Zechariah chapter 11 is part of this second section and introduces the image of shepherds, which in the Old Testament often represent leaders. In this chapter, the prophet is asked to function as a shepherd, embodying God’s care, as well as the pain of Israel’s rejection.
In Zechariah 11:16, a prophecy describes a leader who is the opposite of a healer: instead of tending, binding, or healing the weak, he ignores and even harms the flock. Did Zechariah foresee the pharisees Jesus found lording their Mosaic laws, rituals, and traditions over the people when he arrived?
Scripture
“For I am going to raise up a shepherd over the land who will not care for the lost, or seek the young, or heal the injured, or feed the healthy, but will eat the meat of the choice sheep, tearing off their hooves.”
— Zechariah 11:16 (NIV)
Reflection
The word “heal” stands out in this verse. Within the world of Zechariah, “healing” was more than physical restoration, it was a sign of God’s compassion and nearness. To heal the injured sheep was to tend, to nurture, and to bind up wounds with tenderness.
Yet here, Zechariah paints a heart-wrenching picture: a shepherd who chooses not to heal. Instead, this shepherd is indifferent to the wounds and needs of the flock. This is not just a warning about bad leadership; it’s a revelation of the deep consequences when healing is neglected in every sense of the word; spiritually, emotionally, and communally.
How often do we long for healing—in our bodies, our relationships, our hopes—only to feel overlooked, or to experience disappointment? God speaks into that aching space, highlighting what happens without a true shepherd. Importantly, this prophecy points forward to the Messiah, the Good Shepherd who heals. While Zechariah presents a “false shepherd” here, it makes us look for, and long for, the One who binds our wounds.
Application
Take a moment to consider the areas in your life, family, or community where healing feels needed or absent. The heart of God, revealed throughout Scripture and through Jesus, is to bring wholeness and restoration. This passage is a reminder to seek that healing and to invite the true Shepherd, Jesus Christ, to enter those hurting spaces, rather than to sit in places of neglect or indifference.
Whenever pain is ignored, wounds can deepen. But when pain is named and brought to God, healing becomes possible, even if it takes time. Today, invite Jesus, the gentle Shepherd, to do what the false shepherd in Zechariah’s day never could: notice, seek, and heal.
Prayer
Gracious God,
Thank you for being the Shepherd who sees, who knows, and who heals. Where there are wounds in my life or in those I care about, let your gentle care bring restoration. Guard my heart from indifference and help me to reflect your compassion to those who are hurting nearby. Thank you for promising to heal what is broken and to bind up what is injured. I open myself to your merciful touch today. Amen.
Journal
Where in my life do I most long for healing right now?
Are there wounds in my heart, relationships, or memories that come to mind as I read this passage?
How has God shown up as a healer for me in the past? Where might God be inviting me to trust His healing presence today?
As you reflect today, remember: God’s longing is not just for order or obedience, but for healing—deep, personal, and abiding. He is with you, ready to tend and restore.
