The Message of Zechariah

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
Last updated: November 27, 2025
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Bible Book: Zechariah
Publisher: IVP
Theological Perspective: Broadly Evangelical, Reformed

Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.4/10

A clear, Christ-focused guide that makes Zechariah preachable and pastorally rich for local church ministry.

Publication Date(s): 2024
Pages: 200
ISBN: 9781514006559
Faithfulness to the Text: 8/10
Webb handles Zechariah’s visions carefully, respecting the text and its flow while making the book understandable for modern readers.
Christ Centredness: 9/10
The commentary consistently draws the reader to Christ and the coming kingdom, keeping gospel hope at the heart of Zechariah’s message.
Depth of Insight: 7/10
While not technical, Webb offers thoughtful theological reflection and helpful redemptive-historical connections across the whole book.
Clarity of Writing: 9/10
The prose is clear, straightforward, and easy to follow, well suited to busy pastors and teachers working under time pressure.
Pastoral Usefulness: 9/10
Very strong for sermon preparation and teaching, with applications that speak to real church life and the struggles of God’s people.
Readability: 9/10
Light on jargon and free of unnecessary detail, this is a commentary you can read quickly without losing the thread of the argument.

We believe The Message of Zechariah by Barry G. Webb belongs on the shelf of any pastor or Bible teacher who wants to preach or teach the book of Zechariah with clarity, gospel hope, and pastoral application. This volume does not drown the reader in technicalities. Instead, it offers a lucid, pastorally sensitive exposition of Zechariah’s prophecies, with a steady eye on the coming kingdom of God, the Messiah, and the life of faith for God’s people today.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
200 pages
Type
Expositional, Homiletical
Theo. Perspective
Broadly Evangelical, Reformed
Overall score
8.4 / 10
Strength
Accessible exposition that ties Zechariah’s complex visions into a coherent, Christ-centred message.
Limitation
Not designed for detailed Hebrew or academic work, so best supplemented when deeper technical study is needed.

In this commentary, Webb walks us through the visions, oracles, and prophetic imagery of Zechariah, seeking to show how the prophet’s message turns again and again toward the coming reign of God. He emphasizes the theme of God’s kingdom arriving despite human weakness, opposition, and discouragement. Through exposition of each section of Zechariah, Webb draws out how the prophet’s hope points forward to the messianic fulfillment in Jesus Christ, and calls God’s people to live in the tension between present weakness and future glory.

In the process, Webb does not treat Zechariah as a collection of obscure visions to be interpreted solely in isolation. Rather he shows how the various strands: temple, priesthood, covenant, city restoration, judgement, hope, messianic expectation, all converge toward the promise of God’s presence and the coming kingdom. The writing remains accessible (not heavily technical or full of original-language minutiae), yet robust enough to give weight to the prophetic text and its theological thrust.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

This volume excels at making a difficult prophetic book approachable. Zechariah is often neglected or treated only fragmentarily, but Webb’s work guides the reader through its flow, helping us see the coherence behind visions and oracles that might otherwise feel disconnected. For a pastor or Bible-teacher, this makes preaching through Zechariah far more feasible than wrestling alone with the complexity of the book.

Moreover, Webb roots Zechariah’s prophecies in redemptive-historical hope. He helps us see that the God who spoke through Zechariah is the same God who sent Christ, and that the longings and hopes of post-exilic Israel find their fruition in Jesus. That Christ-centred horizon makes this commentary deeply encouraging and spiritually nourishing, not simply informative.

Finally, the application is thoughtful and contemporary. Webb invites the reader to reflect on what it means for God’s people now to live in expectation of the kingdom, to endure hardship, to steward the church and the world under divine promise. For busy pastors wanting to draw sermons or teaching series from Zechariah, this is a trustworthy and ready companion.

Closing Recommendation

We commend The Message of Zechariah to pastors, church leaders, and serious students of Scripture. It balances faithful exposition and gospel-driven application with clarity and pastoral wisdom. If you plan to preach or teach Zechariah, or simply want to deepen your understanding of the prophetic hope pointing to Christ, this book is a wise investment.


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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, Lay readers / small groups, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Strong recommendation

Reviewed by

An Expositor