9 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, "And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, [...] -Matthew 27:9

12 Then I said to them, "If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain." So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver. 13 And the LORD said to me, "Throw it to the potter"--that princely price they set on me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the LORD for the potter. -Zechariah 11:12-13

The Problem
The prophecy Matthew speaks of is found in Zechariah, not Jeremiah.

The Answer
The Hebrew canon is divided into three sections: Law, Writings, and Prophets. Often an entire section was collectively referred to by the first book in that section. Jeremiah's name would have been at the head of the scroll Matthew used. Another example of this collective naming is Luke 24:44, in which the three sections of the OT are referred to, with Writings being called simply "Psalms:"

44 Then He said to them, "These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me." -Luke 24:44

Bible Apologetics Index