Matthew 27:10 - and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9
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What does "Matthew 27:10" mean?
Matthew 27:10 is a complex verse with a debated interpretation because it quotes or alludes to Old Testament passages in a way that doesn't perfectly align with the specific texts it mentions. Here's a breakdown of the meaning, the connection to the Old Testament references, and some common interpretations:
The Context in Matthew:
This verse appears in the narrative of Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus. After Judas repents and returns the 30 pieces of silver, the chief priests refuse to put it back into the temple treasury because it is "blood money."
They decide to use the money to buy a field, specifically "the potter's field, to bury strangers in."
The Verse (Matthew 27:10):
"and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
"and they gave them for the potter's field": This refers to the chief priests using the 30 pieces of silver to purchase the potter's field.
"as the Lord commanded me": This is the crucial part. It suggests that this purchase was somehow divinely ordained or foretold. This is the connection to the Old Testament.
The Old Testament References (Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9):
The issue is that none of these passages directly say the Lord commanded someone to buy a potter's field for 30 pieces of silver. However, there are thematic connections:
Zechariah 11:12-13: This passage describes the prophet Zechariah being paid 30 pieces of silver (the price of a slave) for his services as a shepherd of the people. He is then told to throw the money "to the potter" in the house of the Lord.
Connection: The 30 pieces of silver and the involvement of a potter are key overlaps. The act in Zechariah symbolizes the rejection and undervaluing of the prophet, much like the rejection of Jesus.
Jeremiah 19:1-13: Jeremiah is instructed to buy a potter's earthenware flask and then break it in the valley of Ben Hinnom (Topheth) as a symbolic act of judgment against Jerusalem for its idolatry.
Connection: This passage involves a potter and an act of judgment/desecration. Topheth was a place of burning sacrifices. The "potter's field" in Matthew is intended to be a burial place for strangers, perhaps connecting to this sense of something defiled or foreign.
Jeremiah 32:6-9: Jeremiah buys a field in Anathoth as a sign of hope during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. It symbolized that despite the destruction and exile, there would be a future restoration and return to the land.
Connection: While there's no potter involved, the act of purchasing land during a time of crisis has a resonance. Some interpretations see the potter's field as representing a temporary, desolate place until the future restoration of all things in Christ.
Interpretations of Matthew 27:10:
There are several ways to understand how Matthew is using these Old Testament passages:
1. Fulfillment of Prophecy (Broad Sense): Matthew is highlighting that the events surrounding Jesus' betrayal and death were foreshadowed in the Old Testament. The specific details might not match exactly, but the overall themes of rejection, suffering, and divine purpose are evident. Matthew sees the spirit of prophecy being fulfilled, even if the literal details are rearranged.
2. Composite Quotation: Matthew may be combining elements from multiple Old Testament passages to create a more complete picture. He's not necessarily quoting one single verse but drawing on a broader prophetic tradition.
3. Lost Prophecy: Some scholars have suggested that Matthew might be referring to a prophecy that no longer exists in our current Old Testament canon. This is less likely but still a possibility.
4. Typological Interpretation: Matthew may be using a typological approach, where Old Testament events and figures serve as "types" or foreshadows of New Testament realities. The Zechariah and Jeremiah passages, in this view, are not direct predictions but rather patterns that are repeated and fulfilled in Jesus.
5. Error in Transmission: Some scholars propose that there may have been a scribal error in the transmission of the text. Perhaps the original verse attributed the prophecy to Zechariah, and a later scribe changed it to Jeremiah, or vice-versa, based on their interpretation. This is a more critical approach to the text.
In Summary:
Matthew 27:10 means that the purchase of the potter's field with the blood money was understood by Matthew as fulfilling a divine plan prophesied in the Old Testament, even though the exact wording of the prophecy isn't found in any single passage. He is likely drawing on themes and motifs from Zechariah and Jeremiah to show that Jesus' suffering and death were part of God's larger purpose. The act of buying a field for foreigners with rejected money reflects the rejection of Jesus and the opening of salvation to the Gentiles.
The verse is a reminder that the New Testament writers saw a deep connection between the Old and New Testaments, and they often interpreted Old Testament passages in light of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. The interpretation also reflects the complex nature of biblical interpretation and the ways in which different texts can be read and understood in relation to each other.
Matthew 27:10 - and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.” Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9
What does "Matthew 27:10" mean?
Matthew 27:10 is a complex verse with a debated interpretation because it quotes or alludes to Old Testament passages in a way that doesn't perfectly align with the specific texts it mentions. Here's a breakdown of the meaning, the connection to the Old Testament references, and some common interpretations:
The Context in Matthew:
This verse appears in the narrative of Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus. After Judas repents and returns the 30 pieces of silver, the chief priests refuse to put it back into the temple treasury because it is "blood money."
They decide to use the money to buy a field, specifically "the potter's field, to bury strangers in."
The Verse (Matthew 27:10):
"and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
"and they gave them for the potter's field": This refers to the chief priests using the 30 pieces of silver to purchase the potter's field.
"as the Lord commanded me": This is the crucial part. It suggests that this purchase was somehow divinely ordained or foretold. This is the connection to the Old Testament.
The Old Testament References (Zechariah 11:12-13; Jeremiah 19:1-13; 32:6-9):
The issue is that none of these passages directly say the Lord commanded someone to buy a potter's field for 30 pieces of silver. However, there are thematic connections:
Zechariah 11:12-13: This passage describes the prophet Zechariah being paid 30 pieces of silver (the price of a slave) for his services as a shepherd of the people. He is then told to throw the money "to the potter" in the house of the Lord.
Connection: The 30 pieces of silver and the involvement of a potter are key overlaps. The act in Zechariah symbolizes the rejection and undervaluing of the prophet, much like the rejection of Jesus.
Jeremiah 19:1-13: Jeremiah is instructed to buy a potter's earthenware flask and then break it in the valley of Ben Hinnom (Topheth) as a symbolic act of judgment against Jerusalem for its idolatry.
Connection: This passage involves a potter and an act of judgment/desecration. Topheth was a place of burning sacrifices. The "potter's field" in Matthew is intended to be a burial place for strangers, perhaps connecting to this sense of something defiled or foreign.
Jeremiah 32:6-9: Jeremiah buys a field in Anathoth as a sign of hope during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. It symbolized that despite the destruction and exile, there would be a future restoration and return to the land.
Connection: While there's no potter involved, the act of purchasing land during a time of crisis has a resonance. Some interpretations see the potter's field as representing a temporary, desolate place until the future restoration of all things in Christ.
Interpretations of Matthew 27:10:
There are several ways to understand how Matthew is using these Old Testament passages:
1. Fulfillment of Prophecy (Broad Sense): Matthew is highlighting that the events surrounding Jesus' betrayal and death were foreshadowed in the Old Testament. The specific details might not match exactly, but the overall themes of rejection, suffering, and divine purpose are evident. Matthew sees the spirit of prophecy being fulfilled, even if the literal details are rearranged.
2. Composite Quotation: Matthew may be combining elements from multiple Old Testament passages to create a more complete picture. He's not necessarily quoting one single verse but drawing on a broader prophetic tradition.
3. Lost Prophecy: Some scholars have suggested that Matthew might be referring to a prophecy that no longer exists in our current Old Testament canon. This is less likely but still a possibility.
4. Typological Interpretation: Matthew may be using a typological approach, where Old Testament events and figures serve as "types" or foreshadows of New Testament realities. The Zechariah and Jeremiah passages, in this view, are not direct predictions but rather patterns that are repeated and fulfilled in Jesus.
5. Error in Transmission: Some scholars propose that there may have been a scribal error in the transmission of the text. Perhaps the original verse attributed the prophecy to Zechariah, and a later scribe changed it to Jeremiah, or vice-versa, based on their interpretation. This is a more critical approach to the text.
In Summary:
Matthew 27:10 means that the purchase of the potter's field with the blood money was understood by Matthew as fulfilling a divine plan prophesied in the Old Testament, even though the exact wording of the prophecy isn't found in any single passage. He is likely drawing on themes and motifs from Zechariah and Jeremiah to show that Jesus' suffering and death were part of God's larger purpose. The act of buying a field for foreigners with rejected money reflects the rejection of Jesus and the opening of salvation to the Gentiles.
The verse is a reminder that the New Testament writers saw a deep connection between the Old and New Testaments, and they often interpreted Old Testament passages in light of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. The interpretation also reflects the complex nature of biblical interpretation and the ways in which different texts can be read and understood in relation to each other.