Matthew 27:9

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

Then {G5119} was fulfilled {G4137} that which {G3588} was spoken {G4483} by {G1223} Jeremy {G2408} the prophet {G4396}, saying {G3004}, And {G2532} they took {G2983} the thirty {G5144} pieces of silver {G694}, the price {G5092} of him that was valued {G5091}, whom {G3739} they of {G575} the children {G5207} of Israel {G2474} did value {G5091};

Then what Yirmeyahu the prophet spoke was fulfilled, "And they took the thirty silver coins, which was the price the people of Isra'el had agreed to pay for him,

Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on Him by the people of Israel,

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom certain of the children of Israel did price;

Matthew 27:9 describes the aftermath of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus, specifically how the thirty pieces of silver he received were used to purchase a "potter's field." This verse highlights Matthew's strong emphasis on the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the life and death of Jesus Christ.

Context

Following his betrayal of Jesus, Judas was overcome with remorse and attempted to return the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders (Matthew 27:3). When they refused, Judas threw the money into the temple and departed, eventually taking his own life. The chief priests, deeming the blood money unlawful to put into the temple treasury, decided to use it to buy a potter's field as a burial ground for strangers. It is in this context that Matthew declares this action to be a fulfillment of prophetic scripture.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: A central theme throughout Matthew's Gospel is demonstrating that Jesus is the Messiah promised in the Old Testament. This verse explicitly links the events of Jesus's betrayal and the subsequent use of the money to ancient prophecies, emphasizing divine foreknowledge and control.
  • The Price of Betrayal: The "thirty pieces of silver" was the legal compensation for an enslaved person accidentally killed by an ox (Exodus 21:32). This ironically low price underscored the contempt and low value placed on Jesus by those who sought His death, even by His betrayer.
  • Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Sin: The verse powerfully illustrates how God's plan unfolds even through the sinful actions of individuals like Judas and the corrupt religious leaders. Their choices, though wicked, inadvertently served to bring about the divine will concerning the Messiah's suffering and atonement.

Linguistic and Prophetic Insights

Matthew attributes this prophecy to "Jeremy the prophet" (Jeremiah). However, the most direct Old Testament passage containing the elements of "thirty pieces of silver" and casting them "to the potter" (or "into the house of the Lord, to the potter") is Zechariah 11:12-13. Scholars often discuss this attribution:

  • Some suggest Matthew may have been referencing a broader collection of prophetic writings, with Jeremiah being the most prominent or first prophet in a section.
  • Others believe it's a conflation of themes from both Zechariah (the price and the potter) and Jeremiah (e.g., Jeremiah 18-19, which mentions a potter, and Jeremiah 32:6-15, where Jeremiah buys a field). Matthew's use of "potter's field" may be a direct allusion to Jeremiah's prophetic actions.
  • Regardless of the specific Old Testament source, Matthew's intention is clear: to demonstrate that Jesus's life and death were not random events but divinely ordained and foretold.

Practical Application

This verse challenges us to consider the value we place on Jesus Christ. Do we, like those in the narrative, undervalue Him, or do we recognize His immeasurable worth and respond with devotion and obedience? It also serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign control; even the darkest acts of human sin cannot thwart His ultimate purposes. Instead, God can use such acts to bring about His perfect will, ultimately leading to redemption for humanity.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 11:12

    And I said unto them, If ye think good, give [me] my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty [pieces] of silver.

  • Zechariah 11:13

    And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty [pieces] of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

  • Matthew 1:22

    Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

  • Leviticus 27:2

    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons [shall be] for the LORD by thy estimation.

  • Leviticus 27:7

    And if [it be] from sixty years old and above; if [it be] a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

  • Exodus 21:32

    If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

  • Matthew 26:15

    And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

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