Zechariah 12:10 declares that the people will look upon “me whom they have pierced” and mourn for him as for an only son. Ancient and medieval rabbinic sources connect this “Pierced One” with the Messiah. These texts reveal that the idea of a pierced, suffering Messiah was part of Jewish expectation long before the first century.
The Babylonian Talmud (Sukkah 52a) explains the cause of the mourning in Zechariah 12:10: “It is well according to him who explains that the cause is the slaying of Messiah, the son of Joseph, as it is written, ‘And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son.’” Alfred Edersheim notes that this prophecy “is applied to the Messiah the son of Joseph in the Talmud (Sukk. 52a).” The passage thus identifies the Pierced One of Zechariah as the Messiah who is slain, for whom the people will mourn as for a firstborn son.
Zechariah 12:10 speaks of a future day when the people will look upon “me whom they have pierced” and mourn for him as for an only son. Ancient and medieval rabbinic sources, including interpretations found in the Talmud, Midrash, and commentaries, connect this “Pierced One” with the Messiah. These texts reveal that the idea of a pierced, suffering Messiah was part of Jewish expectation long before the first century.
Ancient Jewish sources proclaim the Pierced One is Messiah.
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
“An astonishing prophecy indeed! God claims that they will personally pierce Him. Yet, at the same time God refers to the pierced One as someone that is personally distinct from Him for whom the nations mourn and weep as for a firstborn Son.”
“What is the cause of the mourning (Zechariah 12:10)? It is well according to him who explains that the cause is the slaying of Messiah, the son of Joseph, as it is written, ‘And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him as one mourneth for his only son.’” [Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 52a]
Alfred Edersheim states that this prophecy “is applied to the Messiah the son of Joseph in the Talmud (Sukk.52a) and so is verse 12…” {The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah – Alfred Edersheim pg 737}
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