Zechariah 13:2-5
Cut off. Verses 2-5 predict the purification of the land from idols and false prophets. The abhorrence with which false prophets will be held is graphically illustrated by the invoking of a law similar to the ancient code concerning certain apostate children (Deut. 13:6-10; cf. Deut. 18:20). Israel had been especially plagued by false prophets (Jer. 23:9-40; Eze. 13:1-23). In the new economy that God proposed to establish following the first advent of the Messiah it was of especial importance that all false religious teachers be removed and their misleading declarations silenced.
False prophets and false religious teachers have since ancient times been the plague of the church of God and will continue to be till the end of time (Matt. 24:24; 2 Thess. 2:9, 10; Rev. 13:13, 14). The only security against their delusive teachings is to have the mind thoroughly fortified with the truths of the Bible (see on Eze. 22:25).