Q. In Matthew 27.9 he quotes a passage from Zechariah 11.12 but says it from the prophet Jeremiah. Is this a contradiction?

A. This is not a contradiction, this is an example of block logic. In Hebrew thought the Scriptures are divided into three categories which we have talked about before. The Torah or “teaching” is the first five books of Moses, although Torah would include all Scripture because it is the teaching of God, but for this question it is Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy specifically. The second part is called the Nevi’im or “prophets” and the third part is called the Ketivim, or “writings”. Put all three words together and you have what is called the Tanak for the Old Testament. The prophets are divided further into early and latter prophets and major and minor prophets. Jeremiah is considered an early, major prophet while Zechariah is considered a later, minor prophet. So, a passage from Zechariah , a later/minor prophet might justly be cited but under the name of Jeremiah, a early/major prophet. The practice is seen in other places as well. The Hebrew names of the Books of Moses are B’reshit (in the beginning), Shemot (names), Vayikra (called), B’Midbar (in the wilderness) and Devarim (words). These names come from the first verse of each book and it calls to memory the content of the book. Rabbi’s would often quote the first verse of a particular passage and the students would know where he was quoting from and why. Yeshua did it on the cross when he quotes the first verse of Psalm 22. There are other examples of this in the New Testament. In Luke 24.44 Yeshua uses these three divisions when he refers his listeners to the Torah, the Prophets and Psalms because they speak of Him and that what was spoken must be fulfilled, or given meaning. Psalms is substituted for the Ketuvim (writings) because the Ketuvim begins with Psalms and this was another name for the Ketuvim or “writings.” In Matthew 23.35 there is another passage that is often misunderstood. It says that the righteous blood from Abel to Zechariah ben Berechiah will fall upon that generation. But 2 Chron24.20.22 says it is Zechariah ben Jehoida. But this can easily be explained. Jehoida means “praise the Lord” and Berechiah means “bless the Lord” and is basically the same name. Abel was the first righteous one slain in the Tanach and Zechariah ben Berechiah (Jehoida) was the last and Yeshua uses them as “bookends” if you will for all the righteous slain in the Tanach. There are other examples of this but I hope this answers your question.