Zechariah 11:12
And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
Zechariah 11:12 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse comes from the book of Zechariah in the Old Testament and is a prophetic passage that foreshadows events in the New Testament. In this verse, the prophet Zechariah is speaking symbolically, using the imagery of a transaction to convey a deeper spiritual meaning. The thirty pieces of silver mentioned here are significant because they were the price at which Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus to the chief priests, fulfilling the prophecy. This betrayal ultimately led to the crucifixion of Jesus, emphasizing the gravity of the act. The verse serves as a reminder of the cost of betrayal and the importance of loyalty and integrity. It also highlights the theme of redemption, as the betrayal of Jesus ultimately led to the salvation of humanity. Overall, this verse is a powerful reminder of the consequences of betrayal and the ultimate redemption that can come from it.
Theological Overview
This verse from the book of Zechariah has been interpreted theologically as a prophetic foreshadowing of the betrayal of Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot for thirty pieces of silver. The connection between this verse and the betrayal of Jesus is found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Judas accepts thirty pieces of silver in exchange for betraying Jesus to the authorities. This verse is seen as a powerful reminder of the price that was paid for Jesus' betrayal, highlighting the theme of betrayal and redemption in the Bible.
The word "price" in this verse has been analyzed in word studies, revealing its significance in the context of betrayal and redemption. The use of the word "price" emphasizes the transactional nature of the betrayal, where Judas Iscariot agreed to betray Jesus for a certain amount of money. It also highlights the value that was placed on Jesus' life, as reflected in the thirty pieces of silver that were given for his betrayal. This word study sheds light on the motives and implications of Judas' actions, deepening our understanding of the biblical narrative.
Zechariah 11:12 in other translations
American Standard Version
And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my hire; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my hire thirty [pieces] of silver.
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.
Douay-Rheims
And I said to them: If it be good in your eyes, bring hither my wages: and if not, be quiet. And they weighed for my wages thirty pieces of silver.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And I said vnto them, If ye thinke it good, giue me my wages: and if no, leaue off: so they weighed for my wages thirtie pieces of siluer.