12. I said--The prophet here represents the person of Jehovah-Messiah.
If ye think good--literally, "If it be good in your eyes." Glancing at
their self-sufficient pride in not deigning to give Him that return
which His great love in coming down to them from heaven merited, namely,
their love and obedience. "My price"; my reward for pastoral care, both
during the whole of Israel's history from the Exodus, and especially the
three and a half years of Messiah's ministry. He speaks as their
"servant," which He was to them in order to fulfil the Father's will
(Php 2:7).
if not, forbear--They withheld that which He sought as His only reward,
their love; yet He will not force them, but leave His cause with God
(Isa 49:4, 5).
Compare the type Jacob cheated of his wages by Laban, but leaving his
cause in the hands of God
(Ge 31:41, 42).
So . . . thirty pieces of silver--thirty shekels. They not only
refused Him His due, but added insult to injury by giving for Him the
price of a gored bond-servant
(Ex 21:32;
Mt 26:15).
A freeman was rated at twice that sum.
JFB.
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