Zechariah 6:15
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What's easily missed here is that "those who are far off" includes not only distant Jews returning, but significantly, the Gentiles. Their coming to "build in the temple" points to their future inclusion in God's people, becoming part of the spiritual temple through Christ, and this incredible reality hinges on the obedience of God's people.
“And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes Zechariah's vision of Joshua being crowned, symbolizing the Messiah as both King and Priest. It promises that people from distant lands will contribute to building God's temple, confirming Zechariah's prophetic authority, but this promise is conditional on the people's obedience to God.
Ever felt like an outsider looking in? This verse speaks to a future where those once far from God's people become essential builders.
Zechariah's prophecy points beyond the immediate rebuilding of the Jerusalem temple after the exile. While some exiles returned to help, the phrase 'they that are far off' expands to include Gentiles – people outside the covenant community.
A New Kind of Builder
This points forward to the New Testament church, where people from every nation become 'living stones' in God's spiritual temple, united with Jewish believers through Christ. It's a radical shift from exclusion to inclusion, a testament to God's expansive plan.
How can we be sure God is truly at work? This verse links divine action to human response.
The assurance that 'the LORD of hosts has sent me' (Zechariah speaking) is not a given regardless of human action. Instead, it's directly tied to obedience.
The Conditional Promise
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This isn't about earning salvation or making God's plans happen. Rather, it's about human participation. Diligent obedience allows people to experience and recognize the reality of God's presence and His prophetic word in their lives. Their faithfulness unlocks their ability to truly 'know' that God is with them and has sent His messengers.
Understand the original words
shama · Hebrew Verb
The act of hearing and performing what is commanded by God. It is the fundamental response of faith and the condition for covenantal blessing in Scripture.
Zechariah's prophecy looks beyond the immediate rebuilding of the Second Temple, pointing to a future where people from distant lands, both Jewish exiles and Gentiles, will contribute to God's spiritual temple through the Messiah. This promise is linked to the people's obedience, emphasizing that their participation in God's blessings is conditional on their faithfulness.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus
King Cyrus of Persia issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the beginning of the Second Temple period.
c. 520-516 BC— this verse
Rebuilding of the Second Temple
Under the prophetic encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah, the Jewish returnees, including Zerubbabel and Joshua, complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
The scribe Ezra leads a second major group of exiles back to Jerusalem, focusing on religious reform and the re-establishment of the Law.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, returns to Jerusalem and successfully rebuilds the city walls, strengthening its defenses and community.
c. 175-164 BC
Maccabean Revolt
A rebellion against the Seleucid Empire erupts when Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempts to Hellenize Judea and desecrate the Temple.
c. 37 BC - AD 44
Herod the Great's Temple Renovation
King Herod the Great undertakes an extensive, multi-decade project to renovate and expand the Second Temple, making it a magnificent structure.
This passage speaks of distant lands and peoples bringing their wealth and ships to honor the Lord, mirroring Zechariah's prophecy that those 'far off' would come to help build the temple.
Ephesians 2:13Paul directly references those who were 'far off' being brought near through Christ's blood, echoing Zechariah's vision of Gentiles contributing to God's spiritual temple.
Haggai 2:7This prophecy foretells that the 'desire of all nations' shall come and fill the temple with glory, directly connecting to the idea of people from afar contributing to its building and significance.
Romans 11:17Paul uses the metaphor of wild olive branches (Gentiles) being grafted into the cultivated olive tree (Israel), illustrating how those formerly outside are now part of God's people and 'build' together.
Zechariah 2:11This verse predicts that many nations will join themselves to the Lord and become His people, serving as a foundational concept for the inclusion of 'those far off' in Zechariah 6:15.
wesleyZechariah 6:15: "And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."
6:15 They that are far off - This verse hath a double reference, one to the Jews, and the building of the material temple, the other to the bringing in of the Gentiles. And this - The literal part shall come to pass in your day, if you will obey the voice…
clarkeZechariah 6:15: "And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the LORD, and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God."
And they that are far off shall come - The Gentiles shall come to the Savior of the world; and build - become a part of this new temple; for they, as living stones, shall become a holy temple, a habitation of God through the Spirit. Ye shall know that the…
What's easily missed here is that "those who are far off" includes not only distant Jews returning, but significantly, the Gentiles. Their coming to "build in the temple" points to their future inclusion in God's people, becoming part of the spiritual temple through Christ, and this incredible reality hinges on the obedience of God's people.
This verse concludes Zechariah's vision of Joshua being crowned, symbolizing the Messiah as both King and Priest. It promises that people from distant lands will contribute to building God's temple, confirming Zechariah's prophetic authority, but this promise is conditional on the people's obedience to God.
This verse concludes Zechariah's vision of Joshua being crowned, symbolizing the Messiah as both King and Priest. It promises that people from distant lands will contribute to building God's temple, confirming Zechariah's prophetic authority, but this promise is conditional on the people's obedience to God.
"“And those who are far off shall come and help to build the temple of the LORD. And you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you. And this shall come to pass, if you will diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God.”" — What's easily missed here is that "those who are far off" includes not only distant Jews returning, but significantly, the Gentiles. Their coming to "build in the temple" points to their future inclu…
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Last reviewed October 2026
