saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Judas confesses his sin, calling Jesus' blood "innocent blood." The religious leaders, however, dismiss his remorse, completely bypassing his acknowledgment of Jesus' innocence and focusing only on their own agenda. This highlights their profound spiritual blindness and utter disregard for truth in their pursuit of power.
saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus has been condemned by the religious leaders and handed over to Pilate, Judas, wracked with guilt, confesses his sin to the chief priests. They, however, callously dismiss his remorse, revealing their own hardened hearts and focus on their pursuit of power, leading Judas to despair.
Judas cries out, 'I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.' What does this statement reveal about Jesus and the nature of sin?
A Witness to Jesus's Innocence
Judas's desperate confession is a powerful, albeit late, testimony to Jesus's blamelessness. He was with Jesus for three years, observing His life, teachings, and actions intimately. If there had been any wrongdoing, any crime against Rome or God, Judas would have been the first to know and the most likely to expose it, especially to the chief priests who had just paid him.
His statement, "I have sinned in betraying innocent blood," isn't just a confession of guilt; it's an acknowledgment that the one he betrayed was innocent. This is crucial because it confirms that the religious leaders were condemning and executing a righteous man.
The Weight of Sin and Despair
Judas's words reveal the crushing weight of guilt. His sin wasn't just a transaction; it was a betrayal of innocence. This recognition leads him to despair, a stark contrast to true repentance that turns to God for forgiveness and hope.
His confession is made to the chief priests, not directly to God, highlighting a crucial difference. While he acknowledges his sin, his actions that follow—casting away the money and going to hang himself—show a deep spiritual anguish that doesn't lead to redemption.
The chief priests' response to Judas is chilling: 'What is that to us? See to it yourself.' What does this reveal about their hearts and the nature of willful sin?
Dismissal of Conscience and Consequence
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The chief priests' immediate reaction to Judas's confession is one of utter indifference. They have achieved their goal—securing Jesus—and Judas's moral turmoil is irrelevant to them. Their response, 'What is that to us? See to it yourself,' dismisses his guilt and shifts all responsibility back onto him.
This highlights a hardened heart, one so consumed by its own agenda that it is unmoved by the profound spiritual distress of someone involved in their plot. They don't care about the 'innocent blood' or Judas's sin; they only care about the outcome they desired.
The Peril of Shared Wickedness
This interaction serves as a stark warning about complicity in sin. While Judas is tormented by his conscience, the leaders remain callously focused on their own actions and the logistics of disposing of Jesus. They are willing to use Judas for their crime but are unwilling to share any burden of his guilt or remorse.
Their attitude is a dangerous form of self-deception, believing that because they didn't personally betray Jesus, they are absolved of the ultimate responsibility. Yet, by condemning an innocent man, they are deeply implicated in the very sin they dismiss.
Understand the original words
hamartanō · Greek Verb
The transgression of God’s law, whether by act, word, or thought, which separates the individual from God and incurs His judgment.
athōos haima · Greek Adjective
A reference to a person who has committed no legal or moral wrong; used here to emphasize the complete lack of guilt in Jesus’ character or actions.
Judas' desperate confession and the callous rejection by the religious leaders highlight their hardened hearts and the stark contrast between genuine remorse and cold-hearted conspiracy.
c. AD 30— this verse
Judas betrays Jesus
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, betrays Jesus to the chief priests and elders for thirty pieces of silver.
c. AD 30
Jesus is condemned
After Jesus is handed over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, the Jewish religious leaders and the crowd demand his crucifixion.
c. AD 30
Judas confesses his sin
Overcome with remorse, Judas attempts to return the money and confesses that he has betrayed 'innocent blood,' acknowledging Jesus' innocence.
c. AD 30
Religious leaders reject Judas
The chief priests and elders dismiss Judas' confession, showing no concern for his guilt or Jesus' innocence, telling him to deal with it himself.
c. AD 30
Judas dies by suicide
Unable to bear his guilt and despair, Judas goes away and hangs himself.
c. AD 30
The Potter's Field is purchased
Using Judas' blood money, the chief priests buy a field from a potter to bury unknown foreigners, fulfilling prophecy.
This passage directly parallels Judas's betrayal, as he is given thirty pieces of silver, the price of his treachery, which Matthew quotes as being fulfilled here.
Acts 1:18-19This passage describes Judas's further actions after his betrayal, detailing how he 'went and hanged himself' and how the chief priests used his blood money to buy the potter's field, echoing the events in Matthew.
2 Samuel 1:16This passage shows David lamenting over Saul and Jonathan, stating 'And David said, Even so; for compelled by the Lord's enemies I have been destroyed. This echoes Judas's self-condemnation, though Judas's confession is devoid of repentance towards God.
Deuteronomy 27:25This verse pronounces a curse: 'Cursed be he who takes a bribe to slay an innocent person.' Judas's confession of betraying 'innocent blood' directly invokes the gravity of this ancient warning.
henryMatthew 27:1-10: "When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:"
27:1-10 Wicked men see little of the consequences of their crimes when they commit them, but they must answer for them all. In the fullest manner Judas acknowledged to the chief priests that he had sinned, and betrayed an innocent person. This was full testimony to the character of Christ; but the rulers were hardened. Casting down the money, Judas departe…
barnesMatthew 27:4: "Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that."
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 for three years.…
Judas confesses his sin, calling Jesus' blood "innocent blood." The religious leaders, however, dismiss his remorse, completely bypassing his acknowledgment of Jesus' innocence and focusing only on their own agenda. This highlights their profound spiritual blindness and utter disregard for truth in their pursuit of power.
After Jesus has been condemned by the religious leaders and handed over to Pilate, Judas, wracked with guilt, confesses his sin to the chief priests. They, however, callously dismiss his remorse, revealing their own hardened hearts and focus on their pursuit of power, leading Judas to despair.
After Jesus has been condemned by the religious leaders and handed over to Pilate, Judas, wracked with guilt, confesses his sin to the chief priests. They, however, callously dismiss his remorse, revealing their own hardened hearts and focus on their pursuit of power, leading Judas to despair.
"saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”" — Judas confesses his sin, calling Jesus' blood "innocent blood." The religious leaders, however, dismiss his remorse, completely bypassing his acknowledgment of Jesus' innocence and focusing only on t…
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Last reviewed October 2026