The following appeared in a previous bulletin: 

     Here’s a little Bible Quiz for you to be thinking about.  In Matthew 27:9, Matthew accredits an Old Testament prophecy to Jeremiah.  However, such a prophecy is not found in the book of Jeremiah. 

     Part 1 of the Quiz:  Which Old Testament book is the prophecy found in?

     Part 2 of the Quiz:  Can Matthew’s reference to Jeremiah be harmonized with the scriptures?  If so, how?

    
     A couple of weeks ago (and then again last week), I made reference to Matthew 27:9, “Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value.”  As you can see, Matthew credits this Old Testament prophecy to Jeremiah.  However, the information that Matthew quotes in Matthew 27:9 (and verse 10 as well) is not actually found in the book of Jeremiah but in the book of Zechariah (Zech 11:12-13).  So, why does Matthew credit this to Jeremiah?  Can this be harmonized?

    
     On the surface, this seems to be a rather challenging “problem.”  Of course, those who are critical of the scriptures will attack such instances as these and claim that there is an error within the Divine record.  However, we know that the scriptures are the inspired words of God (2 Tim 3:16) and contain a record of truth (John 17:17).  When an alleged discrepancy is found, additional study will find that the matter can indeed be harmonized.  Such is the case with the account under consideration.
   

     In H. Leo Bole’s commentary on the book of Matthew, he had this to say about the matter:  “There are four explanations why the name ‘Jeremiah’ is used here instead of ‘Zechariah.’  (1) The names may have been mistaken in transcribing as they are sometimes written in a contracted form - ‘Iriou’ for Jeremiah, and ‘Zriou’ for Zechariah; in this form it would be only the mistake of one letter and could easily be made by one in transcribing.  (2) Jeremiah may be used here for the book of the prophets, as being the first in rank on the list; that is, Jeremiah and Zechariah and some of the other prophets grouped together and the name ‘Jeremiah’ given to the group, when the actual quotation was from Zechariah.  (3) That the word ‘Jeremiah’ was not written by Matthew but was added by some unlearned transcriber.  (4) That Matthew referred to some action and words of Jeremiah not recorded by him in his prophecies, but handed down in some traditional form, and recorded in substance by the prophet Zechariah” (Gospel Advocate Co., Nashville, TN, 1936. pgs 528-529).

     In regards to the fourth possibility listed by brother Boles, let’s turn to the book of Zechariah and notice something very important.  In the book’s opening verses, there is an appeal to the things communicated by the “former prophets” (Zech 1:4 - see also verse 6).  This pattern is repeated later in the book - “Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets...”  (Zech 7:7 - see vs 12 also).  Notice that Matthew 27:9 does not indicate that this was something written by Jeremiah but something that was spoken by him.  So, it is possible that in Zechariah 11, Zechariah was reflecting upon that which was formerly spoken by Jeremiah.  If such is the case, Matthew’s reference to Jeremiah’s words would be perfectly accurate. 

     Regardless of the specifics concerning this matter, I think we can see that there are several possibilities that provide us with accuracy and harmony.