Zechariah 11:13

• to the potter: Some scholars think a professional group of potters might have been minor temple officials because of the constant need for sacred vessels (see Leviticus 6:28). Others, noting the similarity between potter (Hebrew yotser) and treasury (’otsar), follow the Syriac version, which reads into the treasury (see Matthew 27:6, 10; compare Jeremiah 32:6–9). The Greek Old Testament translates this sentence as “throw it into the furnace,” suggesting the silver was melted down and recast into a silver vessel for temple rituals.

• Thirty coins (or pieces of silver) was a large sum of money, nearly two years’ wages for the average worker.

The Hebrew leaders are compared to shepherds in the last three messages (Zechariah 9:9–11:17) of Zechariah’s first oracle (Zechariah 9–11). This message uses allegory and symbolic actions by Zechariah to show the wickedness of Israel’s leaders. The prophet acts out a story of a “good shepherd” chosen by God to guide and unite the people. However, the people reject this shepherd and the promise of protection from other nations (Zechariah 11:10) and unity between Judah and Israel (11:14). Zechariah’s symbolic actions point ahead to the work of Jesus the Messiah. His ministry fulfills this image as the Good Shepherd (see John 10:1–21).