Anti-Missionary Arguments

Tampering with the Text: Zechariah 12:10

Anti-missionaries charge that the writers of the Brit Chadashah (New Testament) deliberately tampered with the text of the Tenach (Old Testament). They did this in order to lure unsuspecting or ignorant Jews into their religion (Christianity). An example of this charge is quoted below:

"The tampering found in the New Testament was aimed to support those who sought to make Christianity more attractive to potential Jewish converts by proving proof text that the events in Jesus' life fulfilled prophecy as shown in Hebrew Scriptures Moreover, it's the same examples Christians use today in trying to convert unsuspecting Jews. The pulpit reading from the Gospels, still cite misquoted scripture to show their listeners how Jesus was prophesied hundreds of times in the old testament."

The anti-missionary attempted to support this charge by providing 15 examples. The first example is quoted below followed by our response.

1) The KJV & Tanakh say "and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced". Zechariah 12:10) but John had to change it saying, "They shall look on him (instead of ME) whom they pierced" (John 19:37) quoting Zechariah.

Jacob, John understands Zechariah 12:10 to be a literal prophecy with a literal fulfillment. God is speaking here (Zech. 12:1). John is convinced that Jesus is God Himself appearing and living among Israel as a man, as the Messianic person. John then communicates his understanding of the scene he witnessed when Jesus was pierced by the Roman spear. He knew that the Messianic person had to be pierced. He believes that Jesus is the Messianic person. When he sees Jesus pierced by the Roman soldier he understands that moment to be a literal fulfillment of what was predicted in Zech. 12. He directs the reader to Zechariah so that the reader can study the Scripture and decide for himself if John is correct or not.

John is not alone in his understanding that the Messianic person is being referred to here. Our ancient sages carried the same understanding. Let me share with you some quotes found in rabbinic literature.

• Sukkah 52a: It is well according to him who explains that the cause (of the mourning) is the slaying of the Messiah the son of Joseph, since that well agrees with the Scripture verse: 'And they shall look upon me, whom they have pierced; and shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son'.[1]

• Jerusalem Talmud, Sukkah 52A: And the land shall mourn, every family apart (Zech. 12:12). Two have interpreted this verse. One said: "This is the mourning over the Messiah," and the other said: "This is the mourning over the Evil Inclination" (which will be killed by God in the Messianic days).[2]

• Babylonian Talmud Sukkah 52A: and the land shall mourn (Zech 12:12). What is the reason of this mourning? R. Dosa and the rabbis differ about it. R. Dosa says: "(They will mourn) over the Messiah who will be slain," and the rabbis say: "(They will mourn) over the Evil Inclination which will be killed (in the days of the Messiah) … ."[3]

• Rashi (and also RaDak): Our Rabbis interpreted it as referring to Messiah ben Joseph.[4]

• Rabbi Moses Alshech: 'They shall look unto Me, for they shall lift up their eyes unto Me in perfect repentance, when they see Him whom they have pierced, that is Messiah, the Son of Joseph; for our Rabbis, of blessed memory, have said that He will take upon Himself all the guilt of Israel, and shall then be slain in the war to make atonement in such manner that it shall be accounted as if Israel had pierced Him, for on account of their sin He has died; and, therefore, in order that it may be reckoned to them as perfect atonement, they will repent and look to the blessed One, saying that there is none beside Him to forgive those that mourn on account of Him who died for their sin; this is the meaning of 'They shall look upon Me'.[5]

It appears to me that John is in good company when he communicates his understanding of the event. He believes that the Messianic person is being referred to here and so do other respected Jewish commentators. John understands Jesus to be fulfilling the role of Messiah ben Joseph. Messiah ben Joseph is the rabbinic name for the "Suffering Messiah."

"How to Recognise the Messiah" Pg. 16

Patai, Raphael, The Messiah Texts, (New York, New York: Avon Books) 1979, page 167

Patai, Raphael, The Messiah Texts, (New York, New York: Avon Books) 1979, page 167

"How to Recognise the Messiah" Pg. 16

"How to Recognise the Messiah" Pg. 16 & 17