Zechariah foreshadowed the betrayal of Jesus for 30 pieces of silver

Bible passage: Zechariah 11:12-13
Prophet: Zechariah
Written: Between 520 and 518 BC

In Zechariah 11:4-17, the prophet speaks of a payment involving 30 pieces of silver and of a good shepherd whose service is brought to an end. This foreshadows an event that happened to Jesus about 500 years later. As explained in Matthew 26:15, Judas was paid 30 silver coins for his betrayal of Jesus. Judas told the Romans when and where they could arrest Jesus without being surrounded by a large crowd of Jesus' followers. As explained in Matthew 27:5-7, Judas later tossed the money into the Temple (the house of the Lord) and the money was used to buy a potter's field as a burial place for foreigners.

- Research and commentary by George Konig and Ray Konig of www.AboutBibleProphecy.com. Copyright © George Konig and Ray Konig. All rights reserved.

Here is Zechariah 11:12-13:

12 I told them, "If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not, keep it." So they paid me thirty pieces of silver.

13 And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"-the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD to the potter.

(New International Version translation)