13:7 Strike the shepherd. Astonishingly, God strikes His own chosen Shepherd. Jesus is the Shepherd who is stricken and afflicted (Matt. 26:31–35; Mark 14:27–31; Luke 22:31–34).

the sheep. God’s people suffer along with their Shepherd (2 Cor. 1:5 note).

against the little ones. Possibly an indication of God’s judgment against His sheep. The Hebrew word rendered “against” could also be translated “upon,” indicating God’s protection of the “little ones” in the midst of suffering.