Matthew 27:9

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

Matthew 27:9 (KJV)

Context

Matthew 27:9 appears as Judas Iscariot returns the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, and they use the money to buy the potter’s field. The verse declares that this event fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremy the prophet. “Jeremy” is the King James rendering of Jeremiah.

Meaning

The exact wording of this quotation does not appear verbatim in the book of Jeremiah. It closely parallels Zechariah 11:12-13, where the prophet is paid thirty pieces of silver and is told to cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord. Some scholars suggest Matthew combined elements from Zechariah with Jeremiah’s account of buying a field (Jeremiah 32:6-9), or that the attribution reflects a broader prophetic theme rather than a precise citation. The possibility of a copyist error has also been noted.

The verse emphasizes that the thirty pieces of silver were the price set on Jesus by the children of Israel. This low valuation highlights the rejection of the Messiah and the treachery of Judas’s act. The fulfillment formula “Then was fulfilled” is a common Matthean device showing that Jesus’ life and death were in accordance with Scripture.

Application

This verse demonstrates that even the wicked actions of men served to accomplish what God had foretold. It underscores the seriousness of rejecting Christ and the certainty of God’s prophetic word.