The prophecy concerning the price of Christ being used to purchase the potter's field is a significant element in the narrative of Jesus' betrayal and crucifixion. This event is rooted in the Old Testament and finds its fulfillment in the New Testament, highlighting the continuity and divine orchestration of biblical prophecy.

Old Testament Prophecy

The prophecy is primarily found in the book of Zechariah. Zechariah 11:12-13 states: "And I said to them, 'If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.' So they weighed out my wages—thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said to me, 'Throw it to the potter, this magnificent price at which they valued me!' So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter."

This passage is a symbolic act performed by the prophet Zechariah, which prefigures the betrayal of Jesus Christ. The "thirty pieces of silver" is significant as it was the price set for the betrayal of Jesus, and the act of throwing the money to the potter in the house of the LORD foreshadows the events that would unfold in the New Testament.

New Testament Fulfillment

The fulfillment of this prophecy is recorded 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. Matthew 27:3-7 narrates: "When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. 'I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,' he said. 'What is that to us?' they replied. 'You bear the responsibility.' So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. The chief priests picked up the pieces of silver and said, 'It is unlawful to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.' After conferring together, they used the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners."

This passage directly connects the actions of Judas and the religious leaders to the prophecy in Zechariah. The thirty pieces of silver, initially given as the price for Jesus' betrayal, were ultimately used to purchase the potter's field, fulfilling the prophetic word spoken centuries earlier.

Significance

The prophecy and its fulfillment underscore the foreknowledge and sovereignty of God in the events surrounding the life and death of Jesus Christ. The specific detail of the thirty pieces of silver and the purchase of the potter's field serve as a testament to the accuracy and reliability of biblical prophecy. This event also highlights the tragic consequences of Judas' betrayal and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Christ's sacrifice.

The use of the potter's field as a burial place for foreigners further symbolizes the inclusive nature of Christ's atonement, extending beyond the Jewish people to all nations. This prophetic fulfillment is a profound reminder of the intricate and purposeful design of God's plan for salvation through Jesus Christ.Zechariah 11:13
And the LORD said to me, Cast it to the potter: a goodly price that I was priced at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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