MPV Commentary

Jesus Led Away to Pilate--Remorse and Suicide of Judas.

This section is also recorded in Mark 15:1; Luke 23:1; and John 18:28.

Jesus Led Away to Pilate (Mt 27:1-2).

For a detailed explanation of this portion, see the commentary on John 18:28 and following.

Remorse and Suicide of Judas (Mt 27:3-10).

This account is unique to Matthew. For insight into Judas's growing guilt, see Mark 14:1-11; John 13:21-30.

3 Then Judas, who had betrayed Jesus, was overcome with remorse when he saw that Jesus was condemned. Perhaps he expected the Lord to miraculously escape from his enemies' power, as He had done before. If so, his remorse would be all the more intense.

He repented himself, but this sorrow was of the world, which ultimately leads to death (2 Corinthians 7:10).

4 Judas returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, a remarkable display of an awakened conscience. Earlier, the promise of this money had been enough to tempt him into betraying Jesus; now it was unbearable.

5 Saying, "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood," Judas testified to Jesus's innocence. Despite being with Him for three years and having opportunities to observe His character, Judas had been swayed by his own covetous nature. If he could have found fault with Jesus, he would not have spoken so.

The chief priests responded callously: "What is that to us? See to it yourself." Their indifference was a stark contrast to the compassion and love they should have shown.

6 Judas cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, an act that fulfilled the prophet's words (Zechariah 11:13). He then departed and hanged himself (see Acts 1:18 for details).

7 The chief priests took the silver pieces and said it was not lawful to put them into the treasury because they were the price of blood. This scrupulous concern, however, fulfilled Scripture.

9 Then what was spoken by Zechariah the prophet was fulfilled: "They weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver, which he allowed me for a witness; and the Lord said unto me, Cast it to the potter in the house of the Lord" (Zechariah 11:12-13). This prophecy was remarkably fulfilled.