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.

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto me, Cast {H7993} it unto the potter {H3335}: a goodly {H145} price {H3366} that I was prised at {H3365} of them. And I took {H3947} the thirty {H7970} pieces of silver {H3701}, and cast {H7993} them to the potter {H3335} in the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

Concerning that "princely sum" at which they valued me, ADONAI said, "Throw it into the treasury!" So I took the thirty silver [shekels] and threw them into the treasury in the house of ADONAI.

And the LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—this magnificent price at which they valued me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

And Jehovah said unto me, Cast it unto the potter, the goodly price that I was prized at by them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them unto the potter, in the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

Zechariah 11:13 is a profoundly prophetic verse within the book of Zechariah, describing a symbolic transaction that dramatically foreshadows the betrayal of Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver. It illustrates the contempt with which the shepherd (representing the Lord) is valued by the people of Israel.

Context

This verse comes in a section (Zechariah 11) where the prophet Zechariah acts out a symbolic drama concerning two shepherds. The "good shepherd" represents the LORD's care for His flock, Israel, which is ultimately rejected. The "thirty pieces of silver" is the paltry wage the shepherd receives after breaking the covenant with the people. This sum, equivalent to the price of a slave (Exodus 21:32), highlights the utter disdain for God's value and leadership shown by His own people. The command from the LORD to "Cast it unto the potter" and the subsequent action signify a symbolic act of rejection and ultimate judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Prophecy of Christ's Betrayal: The most significant theme is the direct foreshadowing of Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus. The specific amount of thirty pieces of silver and the instruction to cast it "to the potter" are explicitly fulfilled in the New Testament, particularly in Matthew 27:3-10, where the chief priests use Judas's returned money to buy the potter's field.
  • Rejection of Divine Value: The phrase "a goodly price that I was prised at of them" is highly sarcastic. The Hebrew word for "goodly" (yāqār) often means "precious" or "costly," but here it underscores the ironic and contemptuous valuation of the Lord by His people. They saw Him as worth no more than a slave.
  • Divine Sovereignty in Human Rejection: Despite the people's rejection and undervaluation, God's sovereign plan unfolds perfectly. This prophetic act reveals God's foreknowledge and control over historical events, even those involving human sin and betrayal.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "a goodly price" translates the Hebrew yāqār (יָקָר), which typically denotes something valuable or precious. In this context, its use is deeply ironic, highlighting the contemptuous and insulting valuation placed on the shepherd by the people. The term "potter" (Hebrew yotser, יוֹצֵר) refers to a craftsman who works with clay, a common figure in ancient Israelite society, and its connection to a field used for burial of strangers in Matthew's account adds layers of symbolic meaning to the rejected price of betrayal.

Practical Application

Zechariah 11:13 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's leadership and value. It illustrates that even when humanity undervalues or betrays the divine, God's purposes are not thwarted but are often fulfilled through such actions. For believers, it reinforces the truth of God's prophetic word and His ultimate control over history. It also encourages reflection on our own "valuation" of Christ and His kingdom, urging us to recognize His immeasurable worth rather than treating Him as a mere commodity or casting Him aside for worldly gain.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 27:3 (9 votes)

    Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

  • Matthew 27:10 (9 votes)

    And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

  • Acts 1:18 (6 votes)

    Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

  • Acts 1:19 (6 votes)

    And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.

  • Isaiah 53:2 (2 votes)

    For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.

  • Isaiah 53:3 (2 votes)

    He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

  • Acts 4:11 (2 votes)

    This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.