Zechariah 11:12
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Zechariah 11:12
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.
Chapter Context
Zechariah 11 is a prophetic vision chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of holiness, hope, mercy. Written during the early post-exilic period (c. 520-480 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Persian support for temple rebuilding came with continued imperial control.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-17: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Zechariah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Zechariah 11:12
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.
Analysis
Prophetic symbol of Messiah's betrayal: '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.' The shepherd-prophet asks for wages; they pay thirty shekels—Exodus 21:32's price for a slave killed by an ox. This insultingly low valuation of God's shepherd becomes prophecy of Judas betraying Jesus for thirty silver pieces (Matthew 26:15, 27:9-10). Verse 13's ironic command—'Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them'—was fulfilled when Judas threw the silver into the temple and priests bought potter's field (Matthew 27:5-7). This demonstrates Scripture's prophetic precision: specific details fulfilled centuries later. Israel's rejection and contemptuous undervaluing of God's Shepherd presaged rejecting Messiah.
Historical Context
Zechariah's enacted prophecy (chapters 11-13) used shepherd imagery to depict Israel's failed leadership and coming rejection of the Good Shepherd. Thirty shekels was the compensation for a slave's accidental death—insulting wage for a shepherd. Matthew sees Judas's betrayal fulfilling this (though attributing quote to Jeremiah—possibly a scribal error or reference to scroll order where Jeremiah came first). The detail about potter's field connects to Jeremiah 18-19's potter imagery and 32:6-15's field purchase. These prophecies demonstrate divine foreknowledge and Scripture's unity. Jesus, the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), was valued at slave-price, betrayed for petty sum, fulfilling ancient predictions with precision impossible for human contrivance.
Reflection
- How do I value Jesus—as precious beyond measure, or as cheap commodity to use for my purposes?
- Does Jesus's fulfillment of detailed Old Testament prophecies strengthen my confidence in Scripture's divine inspiration?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Genesis 37:28, Exodus 21:32, Matthew 26:15