“Knowest thou not what these be?”
The full verse · Zechariah 4:13 · KJV
And he me and , thou not what these be? And I , No, my .
Asked by
Asked to
The prophet Zechariah, recipient of the eight night visions concerning Israel’s restoration.
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionThe angel uses this question to establish Zechariah’s need for divine interpretation, creating a teaching moment that emphasizes human dependence on heavenly revelation for understanding God’s symbolic communications.
The Response
What Scripture recordsZechariah answered honestly, ‘No, my lord,’ confessing his inability to interpret the vision’s meaning (Zechariah 4:13).
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyThe angel’s question reveals the pedagogical pattern of divine revelation. Rather than immediately explaining the vision’s symbolism, the angel first confirms Zechariah’s need for instruction. The Hebrew construction suggests mild surprise that Zechariah hasn’t grasped the meaning, yet the question functions gently rather than harshly. By asking rather than assuming, the angel engages Zechariah as an active participant in receiving revelation. The term ‘ēl·leh (these) refers specifically to the two olive trees flanking the golden lampstand. This questioning technique appears throughout Scripture when God or His messengers prepare humans to receive truth they cannot discover independently. The theological weight here is significant: even prophets receiving direct visions from God require divine interpretation to understand what they see, underscoring that spiritual insight comes through revelation, not human reasoning.
When God’s ways confuse you, honesty about your confusion opens the door to understanding. Zechariah didn’t pretend to grasp what he couldn’t comprehend, and his humble admission invited the angelic explanation that followed. Many believers struggle silently with biblical passages or life circumstances that perplex them, fearing that admitting confusion reveals spiritual weakness. Yet Scripture consistently shows that God honors those who acknowledge their need for His wisdom. James 1:5 promises, ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.’ Your honest questions don’t disappoint God; they position you to receive His revelation.
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