Matthew 27:4
saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's striking here is how the priests dismiss Judas's anguished confession of "innocent blood" as if it's completely irrelevant to them. They've secured Jesus, and his innocence, or Judas's torment, is utterly unimportant to their agenda. It reveals a chilling readiness to disregard truth and conscience for their own perceived gain.
Judas, consumed by remorse after Jesus' condemnation, returns the blood money to the chief priests and elders. They dismiss his confession of betraying "innocent blood" with cold indifference, leaving him to grapple with the consequences of his actions. This exchange highlights their hardened hearts and focus on achieving their goal, regardless of the moral cost.
Judas cries out that he's betrayed 'innocent blood.' What does this confession reveal about Jesus and about Judas himself?
When Judas cries out, 'I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood,' he's not just admitting he broke a rule. He's testifying to Jesus' fundamental innocence.
A Profound Witness
Judas spent three years with Jesus. He saw Him up close, heard His private words, and witnessed His public actions. If anyone could have found fault with Jesus, it would have been Judas, especially given his own covetous nature. His confession, driven by remorse, is a powerful, unintended endorsement of Jesus' blamelessness. It's a stark contrast to the chief priests who, despite hearing this, remain unmoved.
The Call for Repentance
Judas's confession is a form of sorrow, but it's a sorrow that leads to despair, not transformation. True repentance involves turning to God, but Judas turns away from everyone. His acknowledgment of sin is a first step, but it lacks the crucial element of seeking reconciliation with God or with those he harmed.
The religious leaders had the power to bring Jesus to death, but they wash their hands of Judas's remorse. What does their response tell us about hardened hearts?
The chief priests' response to Judas—'What is that to us? See to it yourself'—is chillingly dismissive. They were deeply involved in condemning Jesus, yet they want no part of the consequences Judas is now facing.
The 'It's Not My Problem' Mentality
This is the ultimate coldness of heart. They used Judas as their instrument, and once he's riddled with guilt, they want nothing to do with him. This demonstrates how people can be so focused on achieving their own goals that they disregard the human cost and the spiritual state of those they involve.
Hardened Hearts Recognize No Sin
For the chief priests, Jesus' innocence or guilt is irrelevant. They got what they wanted—Jesus out of the way. This indifference shows a deep spiritual blindness. They are so committed to their agenda that they ignore the testimony of Judas, the testimony of Jesus' life, and the impending judgment that awaits them.
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' confession of 'innocent blood' is a powerful, albeit belated, testimony to Jesus' blamelessness, starkly contrasted by the chief priests' callous indifference to both Judas' remorse and Jesus' innocence.
c. AD 30— this verse
Judas betrays Jesus
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, betrays Jesus to the Jewish chief priests and elders for thirty pieces of silver.
c. AD 30
Jesus is condemned by the Sanhedrin
The Jewish high council, the Sanhedrin, convenes and condemns Jesus to death, then brings him before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. AD 30
Judas regrets his actions
Overwhelmed by guilt after Jesus' condemnation, Judas returns the silver to the chief priests and elders, confessing his sin.
c. AD 30
Chief priests reject Judas' confession
The chief priests and elders dismiss Judas' remorse, telling him their involvement is with Jesus, not his conscience, effectively disowning him.
This passage describes the same event of Judas selling Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, highlighting the betrayal and the worthlessness of the price in the eyes of God.
Luke 22:22This verse states that the Son of Man will go as 'it is written' of him, emphasizing the foreknowledge and divine plan behind Jesus' suffering and betrayal, which Judas was a part of.
Acts 1:18-19This passage recounts Judas' death and the purchase of the potter's field with the money from his betrayal, linking back to the 'field of blood' mentioned in Matthew's account.
Deuteronomy 27:25This verse curses anyone who does not uphold all the words of the law to do them, directly relating to Judas' cry about betraying 'innocent blood' and the chief priests' indifference to justice.
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.…
What's striking here is how the priests dismiss Judas's anguished confession of "innocent blood" as if it's completely irrelevant to them. They've secured Jesus, and his innocence, or Judas's torment, is utterly unimportant to their agenda. It reveals a chilling readiness to disregard truth and conscience for their own perceived gain.
Judas, consumed by remorse after Jesus' condemnation, returns the blood money to the chief priests and elders. They dismiss his confession of betraying "innocent blood" with cold indifference, leaving him to grapple with the consequences of his actions. This exchange highlights their hardened hearts and focus on achieving their goal, regardless of the moral cost.
Judas, consumed by remorse after Jesus' condemnation, returns the blood money to the chief priests and elders. They dismiss his confession of betraying "innocent blood" with cold indifference, leaving him to grapple with the consequences of his actions. This exchange highlights their hardened hearts and focus on achieving their goal, regardless of the moral cost.
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c. AD 30
Judas commits suicide
Unable to bear his despair and guilt, Judas hangs himself shortly after his encounter with the chief priests.
c. AD 30
The potter's field is purchased
The chief priests use the returned silver to buy a field from a potter, intended as a burial place for strangers. This act inadvertently fulfills prophecy.
"saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”" — What's striking here is how the priests dismiss Judas's anguished confession of "innocent blood" as if it's completely irrelevant to them. They've secured Jesus, and his innocence, or Judas's torment…
