Zechariah 11:13

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Zechariah 11:13 records a poignant prophetic act where the prophet Zechariah, symbolizing the rejected Shepherd (the LORD), is paid a paltry sum of thirty pieces of silver by the people, a "goodly price" offered with profound irony. Commanded by the LORD, Zechariah casts this devalued payment to the potter in the temple, an act that powerfully foreshadows the betrayal of Jesus Christ for the same sum and the subsequent purchase of the potter's field with that very money, revealing both human contempt for divine value and God's sovereign orchestration of redemptive history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Zechariah 11 is a highly symbolic and dramatic chapter within the larger prophetic book, which focuses on the restoration of Israel but also warns of future judgment and the rejection of the true Shepherd. The chapter begins with a lament over a devastated land, leading into a symbolic drama involving two shepherds. Zechariah first acts as the "good shepherd" of the flock, representing the LORD's care for Israel. He carries two staffs, "Favor" (or "Beauty") and "Bonds" (or "Union"), symbolizing God's covenant with His people and their unity. When the people reject his leadership, Zechariah breaks the staff "Favor," signifying the annulment of the covenant. He then demands his wages, and they pay him thirty pieces of silver. The subsequent breaking of "Bonds" (Zechariah 11:14) symbolizes the dissolution of unity between Judah and Israel. This entire enacted prophecy sets the stage for the ultimate rejection of the Messiah.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Zechariah prophesied during the post-exilic period (c. 520-518 BC), a time when the Jewish people had returned from Babylonian captivity and were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. They were under Persian rule, and their hopes for national restoration and the coming of the Messiah were strong. The concept of a shepherd was deeply ingrained in ancient Near Eastern culture, often used to describe kings and leaders, including God Himself as the Shepherd of Israel (e.g., [Psalm 23](/psalms/23 "Psalm 23 - The Lord is My Shepherd")). Thirty pieces of silver was a specific, well-known legal sum for the price of a slave (as seen in [Exodus 21:32](/exodus/21-32 "Exodus 21:32 - Price of a Slave")). This cultural understanding amplifies the insult of the "goodly price" offered to the divine Shepherd, equating His value to that of a common slave. The "potter" (Hebrew: _yotser_) was a familiar craftsman, and potter's fields were often used for burial or for dumping waste, suggesting a place of low esteem or common use.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in Zechariah and the broader prophetic corpus. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the **rejection of the divine Shepherd** by His own people, a recurring motif throughout Israel's history and culminating in the rejection of Jesus. Secondly, it highlights **divine sovereignty and prophetic fulfillment**, demonstrating God's foreknowledge and control even over acts of human betrayal and sin. The specific details—thirty pieces of silver and the potter—are not random but are precise elements of God's unfolding plan. Thirdly, there is a profound theme of **ironic valuation**, where the "goodly price" is anything but, revealing the people's contempt for God's immeasurable worth. This rejection, however, serves God's ultimate redemptive purposes, as seen in the New Testament's fulfillment of this very prophecy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **price (Hebrew, _yᵉqâr'_):** From H3366, meaning "value, i.e. (concretely) wealth; abstractly, costliness, dignity; honour, precious (things), price." In Zechariah 11:13, the use of "price" in conjunction with "goodly" (H145, _ʼeder_, meaning "splendor" or "mantle," implying a grand or impressive sum) is deeply ironic. The sum of thirty pieces of silver, the legal price of a slave, is anything but "goodly" or "precious" when applied to the divine Shepherd. It underscores the profound contempt and undervaluation of the LORD by His people.
* **potter (Hebrew, _yâtsar'_):** From H3335, meaning "to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e. form a resolution); earthen, fashion, form, frame, make(-r), potter, purpose." The potter is a craftsman who shapes clay, often from humble or discarded materials. The command to cast the money "to the potter" suggests a disposal to a place of common, perhaps even ignoble, use, aligning with the contemptuous nature of the payment. This specific instruction becomes a crucial detail in the New Testament fulfillment.
* **cast (Hebrew, _shâlak'_):** From H7993, meaning "to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively); adventure, cast (away, down, forth, off, out), hurl, pluck, throw." The verb "cast" emphasizes a decisive, perhaps even dismissive, action. It's not a careful placement but a forceful throwing, reflecting the rejection of the paltry sum and, by extension, the rejection of the people's valuation of the Shepherd. The repetition of "cast" in the verse highlights the finality of this symbolic act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter:"** This opening clause establishes divine command and prophetic action. The LORD Himself instructs Zechariah, His prophet, to take the thirty pieces of silver and "cast" them to the potter. This is not a casual suggestion but a direct, authoritative directive, signifying that the subsequent actions are part of God's sovereign plan and prophetic revelation, even though they stem from human rejection.
* **"a goodly price that I was prised at of them."** This parenthetical exclamation is laden with bitter irony and sarcasm. The "goodly price" (thirty pieces of silver) is the contemptuous valuation the people placed upon the Shepherd, who represents the LORD Himself. To be "prised at" or valued at the price of a slave reveals the utter disdain and lack of appreciation for God's covenantal care and leadership among His own people.
* **"And I took the thirty [pieces] of silver,"** This clause describes Zechariah's obedient action in response to the divine command. He physically takes the precise amount of money, emphasizing the literal fulfillment of the prophecy. The "thirty pieces of silver" is the specific, demeaning sum that encapsulates the people's rejection.
* **"and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD."** Zechariah completes the commanded action, throwing the money to the potter. The phrase "in the house of the LORD" (the Temple) adds another layer of significance. It implies that this act of rejection and symbolic disposal takes place within the sacred space, perhaps indicating that the people's contempt for God's value had permeated even their religious practices, or that God's judgment would come from within the very heart of their worship. The potter, a common artisan, receiving this "sacred" money further underscores its devaluation.

#### Literary Devices
Zechariah 11:13 is rich with **Symbolism**, where the "thirty pieces of silver" symbolizes the contemptuous valuation of the divine Shepherd, and the "potter" symbolizes a common, perhaps ignoble, destination for the rejected price. The entire enacted prophecy is a symbolic drama. **Irony** is powerfully employed in the phrase "a goodly price that I was prised at of them," where "goodly" is used sarcastically to highlight the utter lack of value the people placed on the LORD, equating Him to a slave. This verbal irony underscores the depth of their spiritual blindness and rebellion. Furthermore, the verse functions as profound **Foreshadowing**, specifically of the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot for thirty pieces of silver and the subsequent use of that money to purchase the potter's field, demonstrating God's meticulous foresight and control over history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Zechariah 11:13 stands as a stark testament to the profound tragedy of humanity's rejection of divine value and leadership, while simultaneously affirming God's unwavering sovereignty. The "goodly price" is a bitter indictment of Israel's spiritual blindness, where the very One who shepherded them with grace and truth was esteemed as no more than a slave. Yet, in this act of human contempt, God's prophetic word is meticulously fulfilled, revealing that even the darkest betrayals are woven into the fabric of His redemptive plan. The divine command to cast the money to the potter signifies a symbolic act of judgment and disposal, a powerful foreshadowing of how the very instruments of rejection would be repurposed for God's ultimate, if painful, purposes. This verse underscores that God's worth is not determined by human valuation, and His purposes will prevail despite human sin.

* [Exodus 21:32](/exodus/21-32 "Exodus 21:32 - Price of a Slave")
* [Matthew 27:3-10](/matthew/27-3-10 "Matthew 27:3-10 - Judas's Remorse and the Potter's Field")
* [Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant Despised")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Zechariah 11:13 challenges us to deeply examine our own valuation of Christ and His kingdom. Do we, like the people of Zechariah's day, subtly or overtly diminish His worth, prioritizing worldly gain, comfort, or self-interest over His divine call? The "goodly price" serves as a piercing reminder that our estimation of God's value is often revealed not in our words, but in our actions and priorities. This passage calls us to repent of any tendency to treat Christ as a mere commodity or to cast aside His commands for what we deem more expedient. It assures us that even when we fail, God's sovereign plan is not derailed, but it also warns of the consequences of rejecting His gracious leadership. For believers, it reinforces the immense privilege of recognizing Christ's immeasurable worth and responding with wholehearted devotion, trusting that His purposes will always triumph, even through the crucible of human sin and betrayal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, consciously or unconsciously, undervalue Christ or His teachings in my daily life?**
* **What "thirty pieces of silver"—worldly desires or comforts—do I sometimes prioritize over my commitment to God?**
* **How does the fulfillment of this prophecy in Christ's betrayal strengthen my faith in God's sovereignty and His meticulous plan?**
* **What does it mean to truly "prize" the Lord in a way that contrasts with the ironic "goodly price" of Zechariah 11:13?**

### FAQ
**Why is the amount "thirty pieces of silver" so significant?**
Answer: The specific amount of thirty pieces of silver holds profound significance because, in ancient Israelite law, it was the legal compensation for a slave gored by an ox, as stipulated in [Exodus 21:32](/exodus/21-32 "Exodus 21:32 - Price of a Slave"). In Zechariah 11:13, this sum represents the contemptuous and demeaning valuation placed upon the divine Shepherd by His own people, equating His worth to that of a mere slave. Its prophetic significance is fully realized in the New Testament when Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus for precisely this amount, as recorded in [Matthew 26:15](/matthew/26-15 "Matthew 26:15 - Judas's Agreement to Betray Jesus").

**What is the meaning of casting the money "to the potter"?**
Answer: The instruction to cast the money "to the potter" is a key prophetic detail. In Zechariah's time, a potter was a common craftsman, and potter's fields were often associated with humble, discarded, or common land, sometimes used for burial of strangers or for dumping. This act signifies the rejection and disposal of the contemptible payment, indicating that the money, tainted by the betrayal and undervaluation of the Shepherd, was unfit for sacred use. Its ultimate fulfillment comes in [Matthew 27:7-10](/matthew/27-7-10 "Matthew 27:7-10 - The Potter's Field Purchased"), where the chief priests, unwilling to put Judas's returned blood money into the temple treasury, use it to buy the "Potter's Field" (Aceldama) as a burial ground for strangers. This demonstrates God's sovereign hand in directing the outcome of human sin to fulfill His prophetic word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zechariah 11:13 stands as one of the most striking and precise prophecies of Christ's betrayal in the Old Testament, finding its dramatic fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus of Nazareth. The "goodly price" of thirty pieces of silver, the paltry sum at which the divine Shepherd was "prised" by His own people, is directly echoed in the New Testament when Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus for this exact amount (as recounted in [Matthew 26:15](/matthew/26-15 "Matthew 26:15 - Judas's Agreement to Betray Jesus")). Just as the prophet Zechariah, acting as the rejected shepherd, was commanded to cast the money to the potter, so too did Judas, filled with remorse, cast the silver back into the temple, only for the chief priests to use it to purchase the potter's field as a burial ground for strangers (as detailed in [Matthew 27:3-10](/matthew/27-3-10 "Matthew 27:3-10 - Judas's Remorse and the Potter's Field")). This meticulous fulfillment underscores God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating that even the most heinous acts of human sin and betrayal are not outside His divine plan. Jesus, the true Good Shepherd (as He describes Himself in [John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")), was rejected and undervalued by His own, yet through this very rejection and betrayal, He accomplished the ultimate act of redemption, becoming the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, the contemptible "price" paid for the Shepherd ultimately facilitated the purchase of humanity's salvation, transforming an act of profound betrayal into the cornerstone of God's redemptive work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 27:3

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

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

Acts 1:18

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

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

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

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

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