Matthew 27:9-10
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The most striking thing here is the attribution to "Jeremiah" instead of Zechariah, the actual prophet who wrote these words. This isn't a mistake; it reveals how ancient Jewish Scripture collections were sometimes referred to by the first book within a section, treating the entire "Prophets" section as if it began with Jeremiah.
Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jesus' betrayal by Judas, the chief priests and elders take the thirty pieces of silver Judas returned. They use this blood money to buy a potter's field, a charitable act intended to bury unknown criminals, which Matthew identifies as the fulfillment of a prophecy. This act, buying land with the very price of Jesus' betrayal, completes the immediate narrative of Judas' remorse and the Jewish leaders' callous disposal of the silver.
Matthew quotes a prophet, but the words seem to come from someone else. How can this be?
This verse presents a fascinating puzzle: Matthew attributes a prophecy to Jeremiah, but the words are found in Zechariah. This discrepancy has led to various explanations over the centuries.
Possible Explanations:
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The core idea is that Matthew saw the events surrounding Jesus' betrayal as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, even if the exact attribution seems complex to us today.
Thirty pieces of silver. What does this seemingly small amount reveal about the value placed on Jesus?
This verse highlights the stark reality of Judas's betrayal and the low valuation placed on Jesus by the religious leaders.
The Cost of a Life:
The exchange of thirty pieces of silver isn't just a historical detail; it's a profound statement about the world's assessment of divine worth and the tragic consequences of rejecting the Savior.
Understand the original words
prophētou · Greek Noun
One who acts as the mouthpiece of God, receiving and declaring divine revelation. Matthew invokes this role to demonstrate how Old Testament prophecy finds its ultimate fulfillment in the life and death of Jesus Christ.
eplērōthē · Greek Verb
A divine intervention or event that completes or brings to pass what was foretold in Scripture. It underscores that Jesus' sufferings were not accidental but part of a sovereign, pre-ordained plan.
kyrios · Greek Noun
The supreme Ruler and Sovereign over all creation. In the context of the citation, it refers to God as the source of the prophetic message and the one who orchestrates history according to His will.
The Matthew text cites Jeremiah, but the words are found in Zechariah. This highlights how ancient Jewish Scripture was often understood collectively, with figures like Jeremiah representing the prophetic corpus, and potentially explains why Matthew, remembering the thematic connection to Jeremiah's prophecies about the potter, attributed the quote to him.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and deport many Judeans into exile. This event profoundly shaped Jewish identity and prophecy.
c. 520 BC
Zechariah's Ministry and Prophecies
Zechariah, a post-exilic prophet, delivers messages of hope and restoration, including symbolic prophecies that later commentators link to the Messiah.
c. 400 BC
Jeremiah's Prophecies Preserved
The collected writings of Jeremiah, a pre-exilic prophet known for his laments and warnings, are revered by the Jewish people. Some traditions suggest later prophets, like Zechariah, drew heavily from Jeremiah's prophetic voice.
c. 25-30 AD
Jesus' Ministry and Betrayal
Jesus' public ministry comes to an end with his arrest, trial, and condemnation by the Jewish religious leaders.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Judas Returns the Silver
Judas Iscariot, filled with remorse, returns the thirty pieces of silver he received for betraying Jesus to the chief priests and elders.
c. 30 AD
Purchase of the Potter's Field
The chief priests use the returned thirty pieces of silver to buy a potter's field, intending it as a burial place for strangers.
This passage is the direct source of the prophecy quoted, detailing the shepherd (representing God or a prophet) being valued at thirty pieces of silver by the people.
Jeremiah 32:6-12Matthew may have associated this prophecy with Jeremiah due to Jeremiah's own act of purchasing a field with money, even though the specific details of the thirty pieces of silver differ.
Exodus 21:32This passage establishes thirty pieces of silver as the price of a slave, highlighting how cheaply Jesus was valued by those who betrayed Him.
Luke 24:44Jesus Himself referred to the Old Testament scriptures being divided into the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms, suggesting a potential reason why a prophet's words might be attributed to the first book in a section (like Jeremiah for the Prophets).
bensonMatthew 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;"
Matthew 27:9 . Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy — The words here quoted are not in any copy of Jeremiah extant. But they bear a strong resemblance to the words of Zechariah 11:12-13 . One MS., not of great account, has Ζεχαριου , of Zechariah. Another adds no name to t…
henryMatthew 27:1-10: "When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:"
27:1-10 Wicked men see little of the consequences of their crimes when they commit them, but they must answer for them all. In the fullest manner Judas acknowledged to the chief priests that he had sinned, and betrayed an innocent person. This was full testimony to the character of Christ; but the rulers were hardened. Casting down the money, Judas departe…
The most striking thing here is the attribution to "Jeremiah" instead of Zechariah, the actual prophet who wrote these words. This isn't a mistake; it reveals how ancient Jewish Scripture collections were sometimes referred to by the first book within a section, treating the entire "Prophets" section as if it began with Jeremiah.
Following Jesus' betrayal by Judas, the chief priests and elders take the thirty pieces of silver Judas returned. They use this blood money to buy a potter's field, a charitable act intended to bury unknown criminals, which Matthew identifies as the fulfillment of a prophecy. This act, buying land with the very price of Jesus' betrayal, completes the immediate narrative of Judas' remorse and the Jewish leaders' callous disposal of the silver.
Following Jesus' betrayal by Judas, the chief priests and elders take the thirty pieces of silver Judas returned. They use this blood money to buy a potter's field, a charitable act intended to bury unknown criminals, which Matthew identifies as the fulfillment of a prophecy. This act, buying land with the very price of Jesus' betrayal, completes the immediate narrative of Judas' remorse and the Jewish leaders' callous disposal of the silver.
"Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as…" — The most striking thing here is the attribution to "Jeremiah" instead of Zechariah, the actual prophet who wrote these words. This isn't a mistake; it reveals how ancient Jewish Scripture collections…
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Last reviewed October 2026
