Matthew 26:14-15
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It's easy to just see this as the start of Judas's betrayal, but notice Matthew emphasizes he was "one of the twelve." This detail is crucial; it's not an outsider, but someone handpicked by Jesus, living and walking with Him, who decides to go to the enemy. This highlights the devastating shock of betrayal coming from within the closest circle.
Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jesus' recent parable about the impending judgment and the anointing at Bethany, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, breaks from the group. Driven by a mixture of greed and perhaps a sense of personal offense, he goes to the chief priests and offers to betray Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver, marking the beginning of his search for an opportune moment to carry out the act. This betrayal sets the stage for the Passover meal and Jesus' subsequent arrest.
How could one of Jesus' closest followers turn him in? This verse reveals the immediate catalyst for Judas's shocking decision.
Matthew 26:14 tells us that Judas, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests. The commentaries suggest that this action was fueled by a deep-seated love of money. He saw an opportunity not just for financial gain, but for a specific amount – thirty pieces of silver, the price of a slave. This wasn't an impulsive act; it was a calculated bargain, driven by avarice.
The Price of Betrayal
What does it mean for Satan to 'enter' someone? This verse hints at a deeper spiritual battle behind Judas's earthly actions.
While the verse itself states Judas went to the chief priests, other Gospel accounts, like Luke's, add a crucial layer: "Satan entered into Judas" (Luke 22:3). This wasn't just about money; it was about a heart increasingly given over to evil.
The Influence of the Enemy
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Understand the original words
archiereus · Greek Noun
The leaders of the Jewish religious establishment in Jerusalem, consisting of high-ranking priests, including the high priest. They were responsible for the administration of the Temple and held significant political and religious authority.
paradidomi · Greek Verb
The act of turning someone over to authorities, often involving betrayal. In a theological context, it points to Christ's voluntary submission to the divine plan to suffer and die for the sins of the world.
argyrion · Greek Noun
A standard monetary unit, specifically referring to silver coins (often associated with the price of a slave in the Old Testament). In this context, it represents the corrupt price paid for the betrayal of Jesus.
Judas's decision to betray Jesus, detailed in this verse, was not a spontaneous act but occurred within days of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and his public predictions of his own death. This context highlights the mix of political tension, personal greed, and possibly demonic influence that led to the pivotal betrayal.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Enters Jerusalem
Jesus makes a triumphant entry into Jerusalem, hailed by crowds as a king. This event heightens the tension and fear among the religious authorities.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
During a meal at Bethany, Jesus speaks about his impending suffering and death, and also mentions that one of his close followers will betray him.
c. 30 AD— this verse
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, goes to the chief priests and agrees to hand Jesus over to them in exchange for money.
c. 30 AD
The Last Supper
Jesus shares a final Passover meal with his disciples, during which he institutes the Lord's Supper and further predicts Judas's betrayal.
c. 30 AD
Jesus Arrested in Gethsemane
Following the Last Supper, Jesus is betrayed by Judas's kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane and subsequently arrested by temple guards.
c. 30 AD
Jesus' Crucifixion
Jesus is tried, condemned, and crucified by Roman authorities, fulfilling prophecies and the mission for which he came.
This passage directly parallels Judas's betrayal by speaking of a shepherd (representing Israel's leaders) being valued at thirty pieces of silver, just as Judas was paid this amount for Jesus.
Luke 22:3Luke explicitly states that Satan entered Judas at this time, highlighting the spiritual dimension of his betrayal beyond mere human plotting and greed.
John 13:2John's Gospel indicates that the devil had already put it into Judas's heart to betray Jesus, showing this decision was a process rather than an impulsive act.
Acts 1:16-17Peter's speech after Jesus' ascension reflects on Judas's betrayal as a fulfillment of Scripture and a tragic outcome of his own choices, despite being chosen as an apostle.
1 Samuel 16:14This verse describes an 'evil spirit from the Lord' troubling Saul, paralleling the idea of a malevolent spiritual influence taking hold of a person, as seen with Judas.
barnesMatthew 26:14: "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,"
Then one of the twelve ... - Luke says that Satan entered into Judas. That is, Satan tempted (instigated) him to do it. Probably he tempted Judas by appealing to his avarice, his ruling passion, and by suggesting that now was a favorable opportunity to make money rapidly by selling his Lord. Judas Iscariot - See the notes at Matthew 10:4. Unto the chief priests - The high priest, and those who had been…
calvinMatthew 26:14-20: "Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,"
- Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, 15. And said to them, What will you give me, and I will deliver him to you? And they appointed to him thirty pieces of silver. 16. And from that time he sought an opportunity to betray him. 17. Now on the first day of unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, Where dost thou wish us to prepare fo…
It's easy to just see this as the start of Judas's betrayal, but notice Matthew emphasizes he was "one of the twelve." This detail is crucial; it's not an outsider, but someone handpicked by Jesus, living and walking with Him, who decides to go to the enemy. This highlights the devastating shock of betrayal coming from within the closest circle.
Following Jesus' recent parable about the impending judgment and the anointing at Bethany, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, breaks from the group. Driven by a mixture of greed and perhaps a sense of personal offense, he goes to the chief priests and offers to betray Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver, marking the beginning of his search for an opportune moment to carry out the act. This betrayal sets the stage for the Passover meal and Jesus' subsequent arrest.
Following Jesus' recent parable about the impending judgment and the anointing at Bethany, Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, breaks from the group. Driven by a mixture of greed and perhaps a sense of personal offense, he goes to the chief priests and offers to betray Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver, marking the beginning of his search for an opportune moment to carry out the act. This betrayal sets the stage for the Passover meal and Jesus' subsequent arrest.
"Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver." — It's easy to just see this as the start of Judas's betrayal, but notice Matthew emphasizes he was "one of the twelve." This detail is crucial; it's not an outsider, but someone handpicked by Jesus, l…
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Last reviewed October 2026
