SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:3
Y Josué estaba vestido de vestimentas viles, y estaba delante del ángel.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Zechariah 3:3
Verse 3. Joshua was clothed with filthy garments] The Jewish people were in a most forlorn, destitute, and to all human appearance despicable, condition; and besides all, they were sinful, and the priesthood defiled by idolatry; and nothing but the mercy of God could save them.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 3. Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments , etc.] Having fallen into sin. The Jewish writers interpret this of the sin of his children in marrying strange wives, ( Ezra 10:18) or he had married one himself, as Jerom from the Jews, on the place; or a whore, as Justin Martyr f49 suggests; or had been slothful and sluggish in rebuilding the temple; and, be it what it will, Satan had aggravated it, and represented him as a most filthy creature, covered with sin, and as it were clothed with it: sins may well be called filthy garments, since righteousnesses are as filthy rags, ( Isaiah 64:6). It may also denote the imperfection of the Levitical priesthood, and the pollutions in it, at least in those who officiated therein, and especially under the second temple; as well as may represent the defilements of the Lord’s people by sins they fall into: and stood before the angel : as an accused person, charged with sin, and waiting the issue of the process against him: he stood under an humble sense of his iniquities, looking to the blood and righteousness of Christ for pardon and justification; praying and entreating that these filthy garments might be took away from him, and he be clothed with fine linen, suitable to his character as a priest. Such a sordid dress was the habit of persons arraigned for crimes. It was usual, especially among the Romans, when a man was accused of, and charged with, capital crimes, and during his arraignment, to let down his hair, suffer his beard to grow long, to wear filthy ragged garments, and appear in a very dirty and sordid habit; hence such were called “sordidati” f50 : nay, it was not only customary for the accused person, when he was brought into court before the people to be tried, to be in such a filthy dress; but even his near relations, friends, and acquaintance, before the court went to voting, used to appear in like manner, with their hair dishevelled, and clothed with garments foul and out of fashion, weeping and crying, and deprecating punishment; thinking, by such a filthy and deformed habit, to move the pity of the people f51 . It is said of the ambassadors of the Rhodians at Rome, upon a certain victory obtained, that they appeared at first in white garments, suitable to a congratulation; but when they were told that the Rhodians had not so well deserved to be reckoned among the friends and allies of the Romans, they immediately put on sordid garments, and went about to the houses of the principal men, with prayers and tears entreating that cognizance might first be taken of their cause, before they were condemned f52 : though, on the contrary, some, when arraigned, as defying their accusers, and as a token of their innocence, and to show the fortitude of their minds, and even, if they could, to terrify the court itself, would dress out in the most splendid manner; or, however, would not follow the above custom. It is reported of Scipio Africanus, that when he was arraigned in court, he would not omit shaving his beard, nor put off his white garments, nor appear in the common dress of arraigned persons f53 : and when Manlius Capitolinus was arraigned in court, none of his relations would change their clothes; and Appius Claudius, when he was tried by the tribunes of the common people, behaved with such spirit, and put on such a bold countenance, as thinking that by his ferocity he might strike terror into the tribunes; and so Herod, when he was accused before Hyrcanus, went into the court clothed in purple, and attended with a guard of armed men f54 : whether the above custom obtained in Judea, and so early as the times of this prophet, is not so evident; though Josephus ben Gorion says it was a custom for a guilty person to stand before the judges clothed in black, and his head covered with dust f55 ; however, it is certain that with the Jews a distinction was made in the dress of priests, who, by the sanhedrim, were found guilty or not; such as were, were clothed and veiled in “black”; and such as were not, but were found right and perfect, were clothed in white; and went in, and ministered with their brethren the priests f56 .
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - The angel showed Joshua, the high priest, to Zechariah, in a vision Guilt and corruption are great discouragements when we stand befor God. By the guilt of the sins committed by us, we are liable to the justice of God; by the power of sin that dwells in us, we are hatefu to the holiness of God. Even God's Israel are in danger on thes accounts; but they have relief from Jesus Christ, who is made of God to us both righteousness and sanctification. Joshua, the high priest, is accused as a criminal, but is justified. When we stand before God, to minister to him, or stand up for God, we must expect to meet all the resistance Satan's subtlety and malice can give. Satan is checked by one that has conquered him, and many times silenced him. Those wh belong to Christ, will find him ready to appear for them, when Sata appears most strongly against them. A converted soul is a brand plucke out of the fire by a miracle of free grace, therefore shall not be lef a prey to Satan. Joshua appears as one polluted, but is purified; he represents the Israel of God, who are all as an unclean thing, til they are washed and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. Israel now were free from idolatry, but ther were many things amiss in them. There were spiritual enemies warrin against them, more dangerous than any neighbouring nations. Chris loathed the filthiness of Joshua's garments, yet did not put him away Thus God by his grace does with those whom he chooses to be priests to himself. The guilt of sin is taken away by pardoning mercy, and the power of it is broken by renewing grace. Thus Christ washes those from their sins in his own blood, whom he makes kings and priests to ou God. Those whom Christ makes spiritual priests, are clothed with the spotless robe of his righteousness, and appear before God in that; an with the graces of his Spirit, which are ornaments to them. The righteousness of saints, both imputed and implanted, is the fine linen clean and white, with which the bride, the Lamb's wife, is arrayed, R 19:8. Joshua is restored to former honours and trusts. The crown of the priesthood is put on him. When the Lord designs to restore and reviv religion, he stirs up prophets and people to pray for it.
Original Hebrew
ויהושׁע 3091 היה 1961 לבשׁ 3847 בגדים 899 צואים 6674 ועמד 5975 לפני 6440 המלאך׃ 4397
