Matthew 27:4

"Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,"

Key Reflection

In Matthew 27:4, we see Judas's profound regret after realizing the gravity of his actions. This verse reveals that when Jesus was condemned by the religious authorities, Judas felt deep remorse and attempted to make amends by returning the thirty pieces of silver he received for betraying Jesus. The cultural context is significant here; in first-century Jewish society, such a reversal was almost unprecedented, as once money had been given for a person's release, it was not typically returned. This act highlights Judas’s initial guilt and his attempt to rectify what he perceived as a grave injustice.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 4. I have sinned, I have been guilty. I have done wrong. In that I have betrayed the innocent blood. That is, in betraying an innocent being to death. Blood is put here for life, or for the man. The meaning is, that he knew and felt that Jesus was innocent. This confession is a remarkable proof that Jesus was innocent. Judas had been with him three years, he had seen him in public and private; he had heard his public teaching and his private views; he had seen him in all circumstances; and if he had done anything evil, or advanced anything against the Roman emperor, Judas was competent to testify it. Had he known any such thing, he would have stated it.

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