Matthew 27:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

NIV: and they used them to buy the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me.'

NASB: AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, JUST AS THE Lord DIRECTED ME.'

CSB: and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.

NLT: and purchased the potter’s field, as the Lord directed. '

KJV: And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

NKJV: and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”

This concludes the prophecy Matthew references beginning in the previous verse (Matthew 27:9). The words come close to Zechariah 11:11–13. However, Matthew formally credits the prophetic prediction to the prophet Jeremiah. Bible scholars note direct parallels to the story of Judas and the content of Jeremiah 19:1–13. It's likely that Matthew referenced both prophets, seeing divine foresight in both, and mentioned only the more prominent of the two. This seems to have been a normal practice of the time, as Mark 1:2–3 makes a similar choice when citing Isaiah and Malachi.

Matthew's larger point is about the content of prophecy. Those statements closely connect to the story of Judas' death and the purchase of the potter's field (Matthew 27:3–8). This is yet more evidence that Jesus is the Messiah. Matthew, especially, has taken great care to connect prophecies from the Old Testament to many aspects of Jesus' life and ministry as a way of establishing for Jewish readers the validity of Jesus' claims to be the Christ.

Matthew 27:3–10 reveals Judas' deep regret for betraying Jesus. He brings the 30 pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders who paid him for his cooperation. They don't want the money back, and they're not interested in Judas' confession. Judas throws the money down in the temple and hangs himself. The priests use the money to buy a field for burying foreigners. They call it the Field of Blood. Matthew states that this fulfills prophesy and quotes from Zechariah. The book of Acts also recounts Judas' death (Acts 1:16–20).

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 5/2/2024 12:22:12 PM