John Calvin Commentary Zechariah 1:13

"And Jehovah answered the angel that talked with me with good words, [even] comfortable words." — Zechariah 1:13 (ASV)

The Prophet shows here that, though God did not immediately on the first day stretch forth his hand to the miserable Jews, he was still favorable to them. But we must notice that God only speaks and does not yet manifest his power. The Prophet’s design must be observed here; for first, he reminds the faithful that there was no reason for them to despair or to be cast down with sorrow, because celestial angels prayed to God for them and pleaded for their salvation.

This is one thing. But a greater and fuller confirmation is added, for God testifies that he is ready to deliver the Jews, though he does not declare this immediately at first. And here we may note that it should be sufficient to sustain our hope and patience when God testifies and affirms that he favors us and that our salvation is dear to him, however miserable our condition may apparently be.

God might indeed have immediately given a real proof to the Jews that the time had come to restore them to full prosperity: this he did not, but only made a promise. He gave words only, but his purpose was, by an actual trial, to prove the patience and obedience of his people when he said that he had not forgotten his covenant, on which depended all the promises previously made.

But the Prophet seems to allude to a prophecy of Isaiah in the fortieth chapter,

“Comfort ye my people, saith your God” (Isaiah 40:1).

The Prophets had been silent for a long time; it was indeed right that the Jews should remain struggling for a long time, as they had for so many years hardened themselves against all threats and even despised all God’s judgments, according to what is said by Isaiah,

“Let us eat and drink, tomorrow we shall die” (Isaiah 22:13).

Since the obstinacy of the people had been so great, it was proper that they should mourn for a long time without comfort. But Isaiah says that the time would come when God would command his servants to comfort his people again as in former times. Zechariah now says that God spoke consoling words. Thus, we learn that the desires of the godly and the prayer of the angel had been heard, for redemption was now near at hand, according to what is said in Psalm 102, “It is time for thee, O God, to have mercy on Sion, for its time is come;” that is, “The seventy years are completed, which it has pleased You to assign for our exile.”