Acts 1:18

KJV

Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G3303}{G3767} this man {G3778} purchased {G2932} a field {G5564} with {G1537} the reward {G3408} of iniquity {G93}; and {G2532} falling {G1096} headlong {G4248}, he burst asunder {G2997} in the midst {G3319}, and {G2532} all {G3956} his {G846} bowels {G4698} gushed out {G1632}.

Complete Jewish Bible

(With the money Y’hudah received for his evil deed, he bought a field; and there he fell to his death. His body swelled up and burst open, and all his insides spilled out.

Berean Standard Bible

(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out.

American Standard Version

(Now this man obtained a field with the reward of his iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 1:18 offers a stark and graphic account of the ignominious end of Judas Iscariot, detailing how he acquired a field with the ill-gotten gains of his betrayal of Jesus, only to suffer a horrific death by falling headlong, bursting open, and spilling his internal organs. This vivid description serves as a powerful testament to the destructive consequences of sin and divine judgment, setting the stage for the selection of his replacement among the apostles.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of Peter's address to the gathered disciples, numbering about 120, in the upper room following Jesus' ascension. Peter is explaining the necessity of replacing Judas Iscariot, referencing Old Testament prophecies that speak to his betrayal and subsequent desolation. The immediate preceding verses, [Acts 1:16-17](/acts/1-16-17 "Acts 1:16-17 - Peter's Address on Judas"), establish Peter's theological framework, asserting that Judas's actions, though wicked, fulfilled Scripture. This gruesome detail of Judas's death in [Acts 1:18](/acts/1-18 "Acts 1:18 - The Death of Judas") provides the grim justification for his removal from the apostolic band, paving the way for the selection of Matthias in [Acts 1:26](/acts/1-26 "Acts 1:26 - Matthias Chosen"). The narrative flow emphasizes God's sovereign hand in history, even over the darkest human failures.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "reward of iniquity" refers to the thirty pieces of silver Judas received for betraying Jesus, a sum that echoes the price of a slave in [Exodus 21:32](/exodus/21-32 "Exodus 21:32 - Price of a Slave"). While Matthew's Gospel ([Matthew 27:3-10](/matthew/27-3-10 "Matthew 27:3-10 - Judas's Remorse and Death")) states that the chief priests used the money to buy the Potter's Field (later called the "Field of Blood"), Peter's account attributes the "purchase" to Judas himself, likely emphasizing his ultimate moral and financial responsibility for the transaction, as the money originated from his treacherous act. The field, known as Aceldama (meaning "Field of Blood"), became a burial place for strangers, a culturally significant detail in Jewish society, highlighting the defilement associated with the money and its origins. The graphic nature of Judas's death, whether a direct fall or the result of a failed hanging, would have been understood by the original audience as a sign of divine judgment, as sudden and violent deaths were often interpreted as God's wrath.
* **Key Themes:** [Acts 1:18](/acts/1-18 "Acts 1:18 - The Death of Judas") powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Acts and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment on Betrayal**, vividly portraying the severe consequences of treachery against God's anointed. Judas's horrific end serves as a stark warning against the destructive power of greed and spiritual apostasy. Secondly, the phrase "reward of iniquity" highlights the theme of the **Consequences of Ill-Gotten Gain**, demonstrating that wealth acquired through unrighteousness leads to ruin, not prosperity. This resonates with wisdom literature and prophetic warnings throughout the Old Testament, such as those found in [Proverbs 1:19](/proverbs/1-19 "Proverbs 1:19 - Consequences of Greed"). Finally, Judas's fate, despite its tragedy, is presented within the larger theme of the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**. Peter explicitly links Judas's actions and demise to Old Testament Scriptures, particularly [Psalm 69:25](/psalms/69-25 "Psalm 69:25 - Desolation of an Enemy") and [Psalm 109:8](/psalms/109-8 "Psalm 109:8 - Another Takes Office"), emphasizing God's sovereign plan unfolding even through human sin and failure, thereby validating the authority of Scripture and the divine orchestration of events leading to the establishment of the early church.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **purchased (Greek, _ktáomai'_):** This verb signifies to get, acquire, or obtain by any means, and by extension, to possess or provide. In this context, it emphasizes Judas's active role in acquiring the field, even if indirectly through the priests. It highlights his personal responsibility for the transaction, as the "reward of iniquity" was intrinsically tied to his actions.
* **falling (Greek, _gínomai'_):** While _gínomai_ broadly means "to become" or "to come into being," when combined with "headlong," it describes the action of the fall itself. It denotes the sudden and violent manner in which Judas's body met its end, emphasizing the unexpected and catastrophic nature of his demise. The verb suggests a decisive event, a literal "coming into being" of his tragic end.
* **burst asunder (Greek, _láschō'_):** This word is a strengthened form of a primary verb meaning "to crack open" or "to split." It powerfully conveys a violent rupture, a sudden and forceful tearing apart. The graphic nature of this word underscores the horrific physical consequences of Judas's fall, emphasizing the complete and devastating internal collapse of his body. It paints a picture of extreme, irreversible damage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity;":** This clause establishes the initial consequence of Judas's betrayal. The "reward of iniquity" refers to the thirty pieces of silver he received for betraying Jesus. The purchase of the field, whether directly by Judas or indirectly through the priests using his money, signifies the tangible, defiled outcome of his sin. It highlights the corrupt origin of the acquisition and Judas's ultimate responsibility for it, linking his material gain directly to his spiritual corruption.
* **"and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.":** This second, highly graphic clause describes the manner of Judas's death. "Falling headlong" suggests a violent, uncontrolled descent. The phrase "burst asunder in the midst" (or "in the middle") indicates a severe internal rupture, implying a catastrophic impact that caused his body to split open. The final detail, "all his bowels gushed out," provides a gruesome, visceral image of his internal organs spilling forth. This vivid description emphasizes the shocking, public, and divinely ordained nature of his demise, serving as a stark physical manifestation of the spiritual decay and judgment resulting from his treachery.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 1:18 is rich in **Graphic Imagery**, painting a vivid and disturbing picture of Judas's death. The phrases "falling headlong," "burst asunder in the midst," and "all his bowels gushed out" are intensely visual and visceral, designed to evoke a strong emotional and moral response from the reader. This detailed, gruesome depiction serves to underscore the severity of divine judgment and the horrific consequences of betrayal. The verse also employs **Irony**, as the "reward of iniquity" – money intended for gain – ultimately leads not to prosperity but to a catastrophic and humiliating end. This serves as a powerful commentary on the futility and destructive nature of ill-gotten wealth. Furthermore, there is an element of **Symbolism** in the "field" itself, which becomes known as the "Field of Blood" (Aceldama). This field, purchased with the price of betrayal and stained by the blood of the betrayer, symbolically represents the defilement and curse associated with Judas's actions and the tragic outcome of his sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 1:18 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that sin, particularly betrayal and greed, carries severe and often visible consequences. Judas's horrific end serves as a stark reminder that while God is merciful, His justice is also absolute. The "reward of iniquity" leading to such a grotesque demise underscores the destructive power of unrighteous gain and the spiritual bankruptcy that accompanies it. This event, though tragic, is presented within the larger framework of God's sovereign plan, demonstrating that even human evil can be woven into the tapestry of divine purpose, ultimately fulfilling prophecy and leading to the advancement of God's kingdom. It highlights the contrast between temporary, defiled gain and eternal, righteous reward, urging believers to pursue integrity over illicit profit.

* [Proverbs 1:19](/proverbs/1-19 "Proverbs 1:19 - The End of the Greedy")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")
* [Hebrews 10:31](/hebrews/10-31 "Hebrews 10:31 - A Terrifying Thing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The graphic account of Judas's death in Acts 1:18 serves as a sobering and timeless warning for all who follow Christ. It compels us to seriously consider the profound and destructive nature of sin, particularly the insidious grip of greed and the devastating consequences of spiritual betrayal. Judas's remorse, unlike Peter's profound repentance after denying Jesus, did not lead to true transformation or a turning back to God for mercy. This highlights the critical distinction between worldly sorrow that leads to death and godly sorrow that leads to repentance and salvation. We are called to examine our own hearts for any hidden areas of compromise, any "reward of iniquity" that might be subtly or overtly influencing our decisions. This passage reminds us that while God's grace is boundless, His justice is also real, and there are ultimate, often visible, consequences for rejecting His truth and betraying His trust. It challenges us to live lives of integrity, valuing righteousness above all earthly gain, and to cultivate a heart of genuine repentance when we fall, trusting in God's restorative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "reward of iniquity" might subtly tempt me in my own life, and how can I guard against its destructive influence?**
* **How does Judas's end, contrasted with Peter's restoration, illuminate the difference between worldly sorrow and godly repentance?**
* **In what ways does this passage affirm God's justice, and how does that understanding shape my view of His character?**

### FAQ

**How does the account of Judas's death in Acts 1:18 reconcile with the account in Matthew 27:3-10?**

Answer: The two accounts, while differing in detail, are not necessarily contradictory but rather complementary, emphasizing different aspects of the same tragic event. [Matthew 27:3-10](/matthew/27-3-10 "Matthew 27:3-10 - Judas's Remorse and Death") states that Judas, filled with remorse, returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and then "went and hanged himself." The priests, deeming the money "blood money," used it to purchase the "Potter's Field" as a burial place for strangers, which became known as "Aceldama" (Field of Blood). Acts 1:18, as recounted by Peter, states that "this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity" and then "falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst."

Several scholarly theories attempt to reconcile these accounts. One common view is that Judas did indeed hang himself, as Matthew records, but the rope or branch broke, causing him to fall headlong into the field below, resulting in the gruesome disembowelment described in Acts. The "purchase" attributed to Judas in Acts could be understood as his ultimate responsibility for the acquisition, as it was his money (the "reward of iniquity") that facilitated the transaction, even if the priests were the direct buyers. Another perspective suggests that Matthew focuses on the *means* of death (hanging), while Acts focuses on the *result* or *divine judgment* manifested in the horrific physical outcome. Both accounts agree on the essential facts: Judas died a terrible death, his betrayal led to the purchase of the "Field of Blood," and his end was a consequence of his iniquity. The differences in detail serve to underscore the profound and divinely ordained nature of his demise.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Acts 1:18 vividly portrays the tragic end of Judas Iscariot, a man consumed by the "reward of iniquity," its ultimate significance is found in how his betrayal, though evil, served God's sovereign redemptive plan, culminating in Christ's atoning sacrifice. Judas's actions, foreseen in prophecy (as Peter articulates in [Acts 1:16](/acts/1-16 "Acts 1:16 - Peter's Explanation")), paved the way for Jesus to be "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God" ([Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - Peter's Pentecost Sermon")). The gruesome death of Judas stands in stark contrast to the life-giving death of Jesus, who, though innocent, "gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age" ([Galatians 1:4](/galatians/1-4 "Galatians 1:4 - Christ's Sacrifice")). Judas's fate, a physical manifestation of the wages of sin, underscores the desperate need for the very salvation he rejected. His story highlights the profound difference between the path of self-destruction, driven by greed and unrepentant sin, and the path of life offered through faith in Christ, whose blood was shed not for a field of defilement, but for the redemption of humanity. Thus, even in this dark narrative of betrayal and judgment, the light of Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death shines brighter, offering hope and forgiveness that Judas tragically failed to embrace ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 27:3

Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

Matthew 27:10

And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

Psalms 55:23

But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Matthew 26:14

¶ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

Matthew 26:15

And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

Psalms 55:15

Let death seize upon them, [and] let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness [is] in their dwellings, [and] among them.

Joshua 7:21

When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.