ProlepsisOpen in the graph →

Prophecy

Thirty pieces of silver thrown to the potter (Zechariah 11:12-13) and the friend who betrays (Psalm 41:9)

Judas Returning the Thirty Pieces of Silver, artist’s impression by Rembrandt (1629).
Artist’s impression Judas Returning the Thirty Pieces of Silver, artist’s impression by Rembrandt (1629). — Rembrandt, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

● Written before, according to historians

Written c. 520–480 BC according to tradition; c. 400–180 BC according to historians. Event: 30–33 AD.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. The prophet Zechariah (around 520–480 BC according to tradition, in the 4th–3rd centuries BC according to many scholars) tells how he is paid thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave, and throws them “to the potter” in the Temple. Psalm 41 speaks of a close friend who betrays.

What happened. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Judas hands Jesus over for thirty pieces of silver, in AD 30 or 33, then throws them into the Temple, and “the potter's field” is bought with them. The Acts of the Apostles tell this episode differently, and only Matthew mentions the sum and the potter.

What is still debated. Matthew's account seems built from the text of Zechariah, which he moreover attributes to Jeremiah, whereas Zechariah speaks neither of betrayal nor of buying a field.

Why it is striking

Three concrete details brought together is more precise than a betrayal in general. But it is a rereading: Zechariah does not speak of betrayal, and only Matthew gives the sum and the potter, writing on the basis of Zechariah.

Main objection (in French for now)

Mt 27:9 attribue la citation à « Jérémie le prophète », alors qu’elle vient de Za 11:12-13, mêlée à des motifs de Jérémie (la maison du potier, Jr 18:2 ; l’achat d’un champ, Jr 32:6-9). Erreur ou citation composite, elle montre un travail d’auteur sur les textes.

The text (World English Bible)

I said to them, “If you think it best, give me my wages; and if not, keep them.” So they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver. The LORD said to me, “Throw it to the potter—the handsome price that I was valued at by them!” I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the LORD’s house.

Zech 11:12-13

Sources