Zechariah 13:8

Shall be cut off. Zechariah here gives a forecast of conditions in terms of how events would have occurred had Israel cooperated with the plans and purposes of Heaven (see p. 30). A large number, though not all, would have accepted the Messiah. His death would have been followed by times of great distress, a time of cutting off for those unwilling to accept Him, and a time of purification (v. 9) for those who were His followers. The proportion here given (two thirds cut off and one third left) need not be taken in the absolute sense, though doubtless then as later the majority would refuse God’s proffered salvation (Matt. 22:14).