At the time that Zechariah was appointed he gave attention to some of these shepherds. He tells us: “I finally effaced three shepherds in one lunar month, as my soul gradually became impatient with them, and also their own soul felt a loathing toward me.” (Zech. 11:8) Just who these three shepherds were, we are not told. But because he had been appointed by the Most High God, Zechariah had the superior authority among them, so that he could dismiss the three men.

So when he became impatient, it was not with the afflicted sheep, but with the three delinquent shepherds. On their part, they “felt a loathing” toward Zechariah because of his faithfulness and compassion in shepherding the flock. On his part, he disapproved of their ways and schemes.

JESUS CHRIST DISMISSES “THREE SHEPHERDS”

Similar to the feeling of the “three shepherds” toward Zechariah as a shepherd, these three groups quickly “felt a loathing” toward Jesus Christ as the Messianic shepherd. They plotted or cooperated together against Jesus to discredit him in the eyes of the flock of Israel. (Matt. 22:15, 16, 23; Mark 3:6) From the very start of his earthly ministry Jesus refused to have anything to do with those self-seeking ruling groups, that is, as far as joining in with them is concerned. Finally, toward the close of his ministry, his soul did become “impatient” with them. On public occasions he put all three groups to silence as far as government and doctrine were concerned. The symbolic ‘one month’ in which Jesus dismissed these groups actually marks a short period of time at the close of his ministry.

The ‘effacing’ was climaxed on Nisan 11, 33 C.E., only a few days before they brought about Jesus’ death at the hands of the Romans. The apostle Matthew (22:15-46) reports the thoroughness with which Jesus refuted, exposed and silenced each of these three classes, in turn, as being unqualified and unfit to shepherd the flock. Matthew writes concerning the Pharisees and the Herodians:

“Then the Pharisees went their way and took counsel together in order to trap him in his speech. So they dispatched to him their disciples, together with party followers of Herod, saying: ‘Teacher, we know you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and you do not care for anybody, for you do not look upon men’s outward appearance. Tell us, therefore, What do you think? Is it lawful to pay head tax to Caesar or not?’ But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said: ‘Why do you put me to the test, hypocrites? Show me the head tax coin.’ They brought him a denarius. And he said to them: ‘Whose image and inscription is this?’ They said: ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them: ‘Pay back, therefore, Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.’ Well, when they heard that, they marveled, and leaving him they went off.”

Later the Sadducees came, to receive their dismissal:

“On that day Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came up to him and asked him: ‘Teacher, Moses said, “If any man dies without having children, his brother must take his wife in marriage and raise up offspring for his brother.” Now there were seven brothers with us; and the first married and deceased, and, not having offspring, he left his wife for his brother. It went the same way also with the second and the third, until through all seven. Last of all the woman died. Consequently, in the resurrection, to which of the seven will she be wife? For they all got her.’

“In reply Jesus said to them: ‘You are mistaken, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God; for in the resurrection neither do men marry nor are women given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven. As regards the resurrection of the dead, did you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, “I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob”? He is the God, not of the dead, but of the living.’ On hearing that, the crowds were astounded at his teaching.”

Finally, Jesus completed his dismissing of the “three shepherds” by showing the Pharisees their error in denying that he was the Son of God:

“Now while the Pharisees were gathered together Jesus asked them: ‘What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?’ They said to him: ‘David’s.’ He said to them: ‘How, then, is it that David by inspiration calls him “Lord,” saying, “Jehovah said to my Lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies beneath your feet’”? If, therefore, David calls him “Lord,” how is he a son?’ And nobody was able to say a word in reply to him, nor did anyone dare from that day on to question him any further.”

Here God’s direct representative, his Fine Shepherd, Jesus Christ, publicly exposed these classes as shepherds of no value, as disapproved by Jehovah God. Shortly after that he uttered a scathing denunciation of them.​—Matt. chap. 23.