The term "Potter's Field" refers to a piece of land mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the context of the events surrounding the betrayal and death of Jesus Christ. This field is historically and theologically significant due to its association with Judas Iscariot and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to the Potter's Field is found in the Gospel of Matthew. After Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, he was filled with remorse and attempted to return the money to the chief priests and elders. When they refused to take it back, Judas threw the silver into the temple and went away to hang himself. The chief priests, considering the money as "blood money," decided it was not lawful to put it into the temple treasury. Instead, they used it to buy the Potter's Field as a burial place for foreigners. This event is recorded in Matthew 27:7-8 : "So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day."

Prophetic Fulfillment:

The purchase of the Potter's Field is seen as a fulfillment of prophecy. Matthew 27:9-10 states: "Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 'They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on Him by the people of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord had commanded me.'" This passage is often associated with a combination of prophecies from Jeremiah and Zechariah, highlighting the complex nature of prophetic fulfillment in the New Testament.

Symbolism and Significance:

The Potter's Field holds deep symbolic meaning within the Christian tradition. It represents the consequences of betrayal and the tragic end of Judas Iscariot, who, despite his close association with Jesus, chose to betray Him. The field, purchased with the price of betrayal, became a burial place for strangers, symbolizing the far-reaching impact of sin and the need for redemption.

The name "Field of Blood" (Aramaic: Akeldama) further emphasizes the gravity of Judas's actions and the bloodshed that resulted from the betrayal of the innocent Christ. This field serves as a somber reminder of the cost of sin and the fulfillment of God's sovereign plan through the events of the Passion.

Historical Context:

In the ancient world, potters' fields were often areas where potters extracted clay for their work, leaving the land unsuitable for agriculture. Such fields were typically inexpensive and thus used for purposes like burying the indigent or foreigners. The purchase of this particular field with the money given to Judas underscores the religious leaders' attempt to distance themselves from the act of betrayal while inadvertently fulfilling divine prophecy.

Theological Implications:

The account of the Potter's Field invites reflection on themes of repentance, justice, and divine providence. Judas's remorse, contrasted with his lack of true repentance, serves as a cautionary tale about the nature of sin and the importance of seeking genuine forgiveness. The religious leaders' actions, though intended to absolve themselves of guilt, ultimately played a role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

In summary, the Potter's Field is a multifaceted symbol within the biblical narrative, illustrating the intersection of human actions and divine prophecy, and serving as a poignant reminder of the cost of betrayal and the hope of redemption through Christ.The Potters Field

a piece of ground which, according to the statement of St. Matthew, (Matthew 27:7) was purchased by the Priests with the thirty pieces of silver rejected by Judas, and converted into a burial-place for Jews not belonging to the city. [ACELDAMA]

The Image and the Stone
... And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and the fowls ...
And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the image and the stone.htm

Conformity to Type
... There must in short be as many potters as there are forms ... So they struck out
unhesitatingly into the new field of words, and, with an originality which commands ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/conformity to type.htm

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
... And wheresoever the children of men dwell, the beasts of the field and fowls of
the ... "And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 40 nebuchadnezzars dream.htm

Sovereignty and Salvation
... If you are potters, and you fashion upon the wheel a vessel, shall that piece of
clay ... Babylon which I have builded?" Do you see that creature in the field there ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/sovereignty and salvation.htm

Jewish views on Trade, Tradesmen, and Trades' Guilds
... celebrated Rabbis of after times we find shoemakers, tailors, carpenters, sandalmakers,
smiths, potters, builders, etc ... He works in the field, and I in the town. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 11 jewish views on.htm

On the Words, Crucified and Buried.
... says, the potter's field, and the Prophet, the foundry? Nay, but not only people
who are goldsmiths, or brass-founders, have a foundry, but potters also have ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiii on the words.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... and the foe shall marvel to see undefeated adversaries still holding the field. ... Like
potters' vessels dashed to pieces, must all the might and majesty of men be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... air a sound as of a rushing wind, and therewith fell in a field near a ... there is in
it "the strength of the iron," and the weakness of "potters' clay." There ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... [4692] "Potters' vessels are ... the works of thine hands; thou hast put all things under
his feet: all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field: the fowl ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 2. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

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