Albert Barnes Commentary Matthew 27:9

"Then was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was priced, whom [certain] of the children of Israel did price;" — Matthew 27:9 (ASV)

Spoken by Jeremy the prophet. The words quoted here are not found in the prophecy of Jeremiah. Words similar to these are recorded in Zechariah 11:12-13, and this quotation has undoubtedly been made from that place. Much difficulty has been experienced in explaining this quotation. In ancient times, according to the Jewish writers, Jeremiah was considered the first of the prophets and was placed first in the Book of the Prophets: thus, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and the twelve minor prophets.

Some have thought that Matthew, quoting this passage, cited the Book of the Prophets under the name of the prophet who held the first place in the book—that is, Jeremiah. And though the words are those of Zechariah, they are still quoted correctly as words from the Book of the Prophets, the first of which was Jeremiah.

Others have thought that a mistake was made by ancient transcribers, who wrote the name Jeremiah instead of Zechariah. It is also noted that this could have occurred through the change of only a single letter. It was often customary to abbreviate words in writing. Thus, instead of writing the name Jeremiah in full, it would be written in Greek as Iriou.

Similarly, Zechariah would be written as Zriou. Therefore, by the mere change of Z to I, the mistake could easily have been made. This is probably the correct explanation.

Others have supposed that the words were spoken by Jeremiah and recorded by Zechariah, and that Matthew quoted them as they were: the words of Jeremiah. The passage is not quoted literally. By its being fulfilled is probably meant that the language Zechariah used on a similar occasion would also express this event. It was language appropriate to this occasion.

The price of him that was valued. This means the price of him on whom a value was set. The word translated "valued" here does not, as it often does in our language, mean to esteem, but to estimate; not to love, approve, or regard, but to fix a price on, to estimate the value of. They considered this to be thirty pieces of silver, the common price of a slave.

They of the children of Israel did value. This refers to some of the Jews—the leaders or priests—acting in the name of the nation.

Did value. This means they did estimate, or fix a price on him.