What is the meaning of Matthew 27:3? When Judas Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, steps onto the stage (Matthew 10:4). Though chosen by the Lord to walk with Him, Judas had already been described as “a devil” (John 6:70-71) and as the keeper—and thief—of the money bag (John 12:4-6). His presence here reminds us that proximity to Jesus is not the same as allegiance to Him. who had betrayed Him • Matthew 26:14-16 recounts Judas bargaining with the chief priests for “thirty pieces of silver,” fulfilling Zechariah 11:12. • John 13:2 reveals that Satan had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus, underscoring the spiritual battle behind the treachery. • Betrayal did not take Jesus by surprise; He had foretold it at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:21-25), demonstrating God’s sovereign plan even through human sin. saw that Jesus was condemned • After a sham nighttime trial (Matthew 26:57-68) and a morning council (Luke 22:66-71), the leaders declared Jesus worthy of death. • Pilate’s verdict would soon follow (John 18:28-19:16), but Judas witnesses enough to realize the outcome: innocent blood will be shed. • This “seeing” is more than noticing; it is the dawning horror that his actions set an irreversible chain in motion. he was filled with remorse • The Berean Standard Bible says he “was filled with remorse,” not repentance. Second Corinthians 7:10 contrasts godly sorrow that leads to salvation with worldly sorrow that produces death. • Judas feels guilt, regret, and self-loathing (Matthew 27:4), yet he does not turn to Jesus for forgiveness as Peter did after his denial (Luke 22:61-62). • Remorse without faith leaves a person trapped; Judas exemplifies the tragedy of sorrow that stops short of repentance. and returned the thirty pieces of silver • Exodus 21:32 sets the price of a slave at thirty shekels, highlighting the humiliation placed on Christ (Philippians 2:7). • Zechariah 11:13 foretold that the “handsome price” would be thrown to the potter—fulfilled when the priests later buy the potter’s field (Matthew 27:9-10). • Judas tries to undo his deed by giving back the money, a symbolic act showing that earthly compensation can neither erase sin nor purchase peace with God. to the chief priests and elders • These religious leaders orchestrated the arrest (Matthew 26:3-5) and now coldly dismiss Judas’s anguish: “What is that to us? You bear the responsibility” (Matthew 27:4). • Their hard-heartedness fulfills Jesus’ indictment in Matthew 23:27-28; they guard ritual purity while consenting to innocent blood. • The contrast is stark: Judas, the betrayer, is devastated; the leaders, guardians of the Law, are unmoved—yet both persist in unbelief. summary Matthew 27:3 reveals the crushing weight of sin recognized but not surrendered to Christ. Judas, once a close follower, betrays the Lord for a slave’s price, then reels under remorse when he sees Jesus condemned. His attempt to return the silver shows that human efforts cannot reverse guilt or halt God’s redemptive plan. True repentance looks to the Savior; mere regret ends in despair. Scripture presents the scene as a sober warning: acknowledge Jesus as Lord now, or live with the unbearable consequences of rejecting Him. |
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