Context – In the middle of calling out Israel’s failed shepherds, God calls Zechariah to take over the role with the two symbolic staffs of “Favor” and “Union.” Both of these are eventually broken in God’s judgment over Israel as Zechariah becomes an archetype for the despised and betrayed Great Shepherd who is to come:

Zechariah 11:12-13 – 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 valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord.

Context – Judas, who controlled and often stole from the groups’ moneybag (John 12:6), became indignant after expensive perfume was “wasted” on Jesus’ feet and conspired to betray him. Later, his regrets finalize God’s prophecy:

Matthew 26:14-15,27:3-7 – Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver… 27:3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers.

Context – Years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostle Peter writes to dispersed believers about hope, holiness, and endurance:

1 Peter 1:13-15,18-21 – Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do… 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

• 30 pieces of silver was (not ironically) the price for a slave’s life.
• Exodus 21:32 – “If the bull gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver to the master of the slave, and the bull is to be stoned to death.”

• Why did Judas betray Jesus?
• What is of true value, and how do silver and gold compare?
• Since riches cannot save us, how are we redeemed?