Zechariah 11:12
Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The prophet offers the people a choice: pay him what they deem fair for his service, or don't. Their response – weighing out exactly thirty pieces of silver – is a deliberate, calculated insult. This wasn't just a payment; it was the price of a slave, a stark declaration that they valued their shepherd (and by extension, God's care for them) less than a mere servant.
The prophet Zechariah is acting out a symbolic prophecy, presenting himself as a shepherd for God's people, the flock of Israel. After a period of caring for them, he asks for his wages, putting the decision to them, but they dismiss him with contempt by weighing out thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, thus revealing how little they valued him and God's care. This action directly foreshadows the betrayal of Jesus by Judas for a similar sum and highlights the deep mutual aversion and contempt that has grown between God and His people.
Imagine asking for something you feel is rightfully yours, only to have your request met with utter contempt. That's precisely what happens in this verse.
The prophet Zechariah, acting as a representative figure for God or even the Messiah, makes a seemingly simple request: "If it seems good to you, give me my wages." This isn't a demand born of need, but a poignant gesture to gauge the flock's (Israel's) appreciation for his devoted care. It's an invitation for them to acknowledge the immense value of what they've received – guidance, protection, and divine favor throughout their history.
A Test of Gratitude
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The response to the prophet's request is not just dismissive; it's a calculated insult that echoes through history.
The flock's reply is to 'weigh out... thirty pieces of silver.' This sum was not arbitrary. In ancient Israelite law, thirty pieces of silver was the price paid for a slave who had been gored to death by an animal (Exodus 21:32). It was the lowest valuation, signifying that the one being paid was considered less valuable than a person.
The Profound Insult
Understand the original words
keseph · Hebrew Noun
The standard unit of currency used in ancient Israel for commercial exchange, often used in legal contexts and occasionally symbolizing value, redemption price, or, ironically, the price of a slave.
The payment of thirty pieces of silver for the prophet's 'wages' was a powerful, prophetic act. It symbolized the utter contempt with which God's care and leadership would be treated, directly foreshadowing the price paid for Jesus' betrayal.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Israel
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrian Empire, leading to the exile of its population and the eventual scattering of the ten tribes.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Judah
The Southern Kingdom of Judah, including Jerusalem and its Temple, is destroyed by the Neo-Babylonian Empire, resulting in the Babylonian exile.
c. 520-518 BC
Temple Reconstruction Begins
Following the return from Babylonian exile, Zerubbabel and Joshua the high priest lead the people in rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 485-465 BC
Reign of Xerxes I of Persia
The Persian Empire, which ruled over Judah, sees significant political events including the events described in the Book of Esther.
c. 445-433 BC
Ministry of Nehemiah
Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem to oversee the rebuilding of the city walls and leads reforms to strengthen the community.
c. 5th Century BC— this verse
Prophetic Ministry of Zechariah
Zechariah delivers his prophecies, likely during or shortly after the post-exilic period, offering messages of hope, restoration, and future judgment.
c. 30 AD
Betrayal of Jesus
Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus to the chief priests and elders for thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling Zechariah's prophecy.
This passage defines the value of a slave in ancient Israelite law, highlighting the extreme insult and contempt shown when thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, were given to Zechariah in lieu of just wages.
Matthew 26:15This New Testament passage directly parallels Zechariah's prophecy, showing how Judas Iscariot accepted thirty pieces of silver from the chief priests to betray Jesus, fulfilling the symbolic rejection of the Good Shepherd.
Matthew 27:9-10This passage connects Zechariah's prophecy to the actions of Judas, noting that Matthew attributes the prophecy to Jeremiah (likely a scribal error) but describes the purchase of the potter's field with the thirty pieces of silver, fulfilling the latter part of Zechariah's vision.
1 Kings 18:21Elijah's challenge to the Israelites, 'How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him!' echoes Zechariah's act of leaving the choice to the people ('give me my wages; but if not, keep them'), emphasizing the theme of choosing allegiance.
Hosea 3:2Hosea was also instructed to love an unfaithful wife and buy her for a specific price, mirroring Zechariah's symbolic transaction and highlighting the theme of redemption and faithfulness in the face of betrayal and worthlessness.
wesleyZechariah 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."
11:12 And I said - Upon parting, Christ seems after the manner of men, to mind them of his claims for them, and desire them to reckon with him. If ye think good - He puts it to them, whether they thought he deserved ought at their hands? So they - The rulers of the Jews, the high priest, chief priests, and pharisees. Weighed - Which was the mann…
clarkeZechariah 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."
If ye think good, give me my price - "Give me my hire." And we find they rated it contemptuously; thirty pieces of silver being the price of a slave, Exodus 21:32 .
The prophet offers the people a choice: pay him what they deem fair for his service, or don't. Their response – weighing out exactly thirty pieces of silver – is a deliberate, calculated insult. This wasn't just a payment; it was the price of a slave, a stark declaration that they valued their shepherd (and by extension, God's care for them) less than a mere servant.
The prophet Zechariah is acting out a symbolic prophecy, presenting himself as a shepherd for God's people, the flock of Israel. After a period of caring for them, he asks for his wages, putting the decision to them, but they dismiss him with contempt by weighing out thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, thus revealing how little they valued him and God's care. This action directly foreshadows the betrayal of Jesus by Judas for a similar sum and highlights the deep mutual aversion and contempt that has grown between God and His people.
The prophet Zechariah is acting out a symbolic prophecy, presenting himself as a shepherd for God's people, the flock of Israel. After a period of caring for them, he asks for his wages, putting the decision to them, but they dismiss him with contempt by weighing out thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, thus revealing how little they valued him and God's care. This action directly foreshadows the betrayal of Jesus by Judas for a similar sum and highlights the deep mutual aversion and contempt that has grown between God and His people.
"Then I said to them, “If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.” And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver." — The prophet offers the people a choice: pay him what they deem fair for his service, or don't. Their response – weighing out exactly thirty pieces of silver – is a deliberate, calculated insult. This…
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