Matthew 27:9 - Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced,
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What does "Matthew 27:9" mean?
Matthew 27:9-10 is a complex passage that requires careful consideration and has been the subject of much debate among biblical scholars. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
The Context:
This verse comes after Judas Iscariot, feeling remorse for betraying Jesus, returns the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, then hangs himself.
The chief priests, unwilling to put the blood money into the temple treasury, use it to buy the Potter's Field, a burial ground for foreigners.
The Verse Itself:
"Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced,"
Key Elements and Interpretations:
1. "Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled..." This is where the difficulty lies. The quotation in verses 9-10 isn't found verbatim in the Book of Jeremiah. There are elements that resonate with Jeremiah, but there are also elements that resonate with Zechariah 11:12-13.
The Jeremiah Connection (Partial): Jeremiah chapters 18 and 19 mention a potter, pottery, and the defilement of a field. Chapter 32 concerns Jeremiah's purchase of a field (though a different kind).
The Zechariah Connection (Stronger): Zechariah 11:12-13 describes the prophet being paid 30 pieces of silver for his work, which he then throws to the potter in the house of the Lord. This passage bears a closer resemblance to Matthew's account.
Possible explanations for attributing the quote to Jeremiah include:
Textual Corruption: Some scholars suggest that the original text of Matthew might have read "Zechariah" and was later changed to "Jeremiah" due to scribal error.
Jeremiah as Representative: Jeremiah was considered a major prophet, and his name might have been used as a general label for prophetic utterances, similar to how "Psalms" can refer to the entire book of Psalms.
Composite Quotation: Matthew might be combining elements from both Jeremiah and Zechariah to highlight the fulfillment of prophecy. This was a common practice in Jewish writing.
2. "They took the thirty pieces of silver..." This refers to the chief priests and elders taking back the money from Judas.
3. "...the price of him upon whom a price had been set..." This alludes to the monetary value placed on Jesus' life by Judas and the religious authorities. It emphasizes the act of reducing Jesus to a mere commodity.
4. "...whom some of the children of Israel priced..." This points to the fact that it was the Jewish leaders, acting on behalf of some of the people, who ultimately decided Jesus' fate and assigned a value to his life. The phrase "some of the children of Israel" is important. It doesn't indict the entire nation, but rather focuses on the responsibility of specific individuals.
Meaning and Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Matthew presents this event as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, demonstrating God's preordained plan and Jesus' identity as the Messiah. Whether the specific prophecy is directly from Jeremiah, Zechariah, or a combination is less important than the overall point that this betrayal and the subsequent events were part of a larger, divinely orchestrated narrative.
Moral Indictment: The passage serves as a condemnation of the religious leaders for their role in Jesus' death and their corrupt handling of the situation. They are shown to be concerned with legal technicalities (not putting blood money in the treasury) but not with justice or righteousness.
Value of Jesus: The 30 pieces of silver highlight the stark contrast between the true value of Jesus and the low price placed upon him by his enemies. This underscores the immense sacrifice Jesus made for humanity.
In Conclusion:
Matthew 27:9-10 is a complex passage with some ambiguity regarding the specific prophetic source. However, its overall meaning is clear: it underscores the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' betrayal and death, highlights the moral failings of the religious leaders, and emphasizes the immeasurable value of Jesus despite the low price placed on his life by his enemies. The reference to Jeremiah is likely a broad reference to the prophetic tradition, possibly alluding to themes found in both Jeremiah and Zechariah, rather than a verbatim quotation.
Matthew 27:9 - Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced,
What does "Matthew 27:9" mean?
Matthew 27:9-10 is a complex passage that requires careful consideration and has been the subject of much debate among biblical scholars. Let's break it down to understand its meaning:
The Context:
This verse comes after Judas Iscariot, feeling remorse for betraying Jesus, returns the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, then hangs himself.
The chief priests, unwilling to put the blood money into the temple treasury, use it to buy the Potter's Field, a burial ground for foreigners.
The Verse Itself:
"Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him upon whom a price had been set, whom some of the children of Israel priced,"
Key Elements and Interpretations:
1. "Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled..." This is where the difficulty lies. The quotation in verses 9-10 isn't found verbatim in the Book of Jeremiah. There are elements that resonate with Jeremiah, but there are also elements that resonate with Zechariah 11:12-13.
The Jeremiah Connection (Partial): Jeremiah chapters 18 and 19 mention a potter, pottery, and the defilement of a field. Chapter 32 concerns Jeremiah's purchase of a field (though a different kind).
The Zechariah Connection (Stronger): Zechariah 11:12-13 describes the prophet being paid 30 pieces of silver for his work, which he then throws to the potter in the house of the Lord. This passage bears a closer resemblance to Matthew's account.
Possible explanations for attributing the quote to Jeremiah include:
Textual Corruption: Some scholars suggest that the original text of Matthew might have read "Zechariah" and was later changed to "Jeremiah" due to scribal error.
Jeremiah as Representative: Jeremiah was considered a major prophet, and his name might have been used as a general label for prophetic utterances, similar to how "Psalms" can refer to the entire book of Psalms.
Composite Quotation: Matthew might be combining elements from both Jeremiah and Zechariah to highlight the fulfillment of prophecy. This was a common practice in Jewish writing.
2. "They took the thirty pieces of silver..." This refers to the chief priests and elders taking back the money from Judas.
3. "...the price of him upon whom a price had been set..." This alludes to the monetary value placed on Jesus' life by Judas and the religious authorities. It emphasizes the act of reducing Jesus to a mere commodity.
4. "...whom some of the children of Israel priced..." This points to the fact that it was the Jewish leaders, acting on behalf of some of the people, who ultimately decided Jesus' fate and assigned a value to his life. The phrase "some of the children of Israel" is important. It doesn't indict the entire nation, but rather focuses on the responsibility of specific individuals.
Meaning and Significance:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Matthew presents this event as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, demonstrating God's preordained plan and Jesus' identity as the Messiah. Whether the specific prophecy is directly from Jeremiah, Zechariah, or a combination is less important than the overall point that this betrayal and the subsequent events were part of a larger, divinely orchestrated narrative.
Moral Indictment: The passage serves as a condemnation of the religious leaders for their role in Jesus' death and their corrupt handling of the situation. They are shown to be concerned with legal technicalities (not putting blood money in the treasury) but not with justice or righteousness.
Value of Jesus: The 30 pieces of silver highlight the stark contrast between the true value of Jesus and the low price placed upon him by his enemies. This underscores the immense sacrifice Jesus made for humanity.
In Conclusion:
Matthew 27:9-10 is a complex passage with some ambiguity regarding the specific prophetic source. However, its overall meaning is clear: it underscores the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' betrayal and death, highlights the moral failings of the religious leaders, and emphasizes the immeasurable value of Jesus despite the low price placed on his life by his enemies. The reference to Jeremiah is likely a broad reference to the prophetic tradition, possibly alluding to themes found in both Jeremiah and Zechariah, rather than a verbatim quotation.