Charles Ellicott Commentary Zechariah 4:14

"Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth." — Zechariah 4:14 (ASV)

Two anointed ones. —Literally, as noted in the margin, two sons of oil: namely, Joshua, the high priest, and Zerubbabel, the Prince of Judah, who stand by the Lord of the whole earth as His appointed instruments, and through whom He causes His Spirit to flow to His congregation. Thus, as by the preceding vision it was signified that the religious head of the nation was accepted by God and purified, so in this vision the civil head receives the assurance of God’s assistance in his work.

The anointed priest and the anointed prince are mentioned together in the last verse to show that it is by their joint efforts that the prosperity of the nation is to be brought about. It also shows that “in religious development, outward or inward, the efficient cause always lies behind what is seen. God uses human instruments, and rarely, if ever, operates independently of them, but when they effect their aim, the power comes from above” (Chambers).