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.

And said {G2036} unto them, What {G5101} will ye {G2309} give {G1325} me {G3427}, and {G2504} I will deliver {G3860} him {G846} unto you {G5213}? And {G1161} they covenanted {G2476} with him {G846} for thirty {G5144} pieces of silver {G694}.

and said, "What are you willing to give me if I turn Yeshua over to you?" They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to Y'hudah.n

and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.

and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:15 records the chilling moment of Judas Iscariot's agreement to betray Jesus Christ. In this pivotal verse, Judas approaches the chief priests and elders, offering to deliver Jesus into their hands in exchange for a specified sum. This act marks a dark turning point in the Passion narrative, setting in motion the events leading to Jesus's crucifixion.

Context

This verse immediately follows Judas's decision to seek out the religious authorities (Matthew 26:14). It occurs during the week leading up to Passover, often referred to as Passion Week, shortly after Jesus's anointing at Bethany and just before the Last Supper. The "them" refers to the chief priests and elders, who were actively seeking a way to seize Jesus without causing a public disturbance. Judas, one of Jesus's twelve disciples, becomes their opportunistic agent, motivated by a combination of factors, including greed and perhaps disillusionment with Jesus's messianic mission.

Key Themes

  • Betrayal and Treachery: The most prominent theme is the profound act of betrayal by one of Jesus's closest followers. This highlights the painful reality that even those within one's inner circle can turn against them.
  • The Price of Betrayal: The agreed-upon sum of "thirty pieces of silver" is a central detail. This specific amount carries significant symbolic and prophetic weight.
  • Greed and Corruption: Judas's willingness to sell his Lord for money underscores the destructive power of greed, which can lead individuals to commit heinous acts.
  • Divine Sovereignty: While Judas acts out of his own free will, his actions ultimately fulfill God's redemptive plan, demonstrating how even human sin can be woven into a larger divine purpose.

Linguistic Insights and Prophetic Fulfillment

The phrase "thirty pieces of silver" (Greek: triakonta arguria) is highly significant. In the Old Testament, this was the standard compensation for a slave accidentally killed by an ox (Exodus 21:32). Its application here implicitly devalues the life of Jesus to that of a mere slave, a profound insult given His true identity. More importantly, this exact sum directly fulfills a powerful Old Testament prophecy found in Zechariah 11:12-13, where the prophet symbolically receives this amount for his shepherding, only to cast it back to the potter in the house of the Lord. This parallel underscores Jesus's rejection by His own people and the contempt with which He was treated.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:15 serves as a stark reminder of several timeless truths:

  • Beware of Greed: The story of Judas is a powerful warning against the corrupting influence of money and selfish ambition. It reminds us that material gain can never compensate for spiritual loss or moral compromise.
  • The Reality of Betrayal: While painful, betrayal is a part of the human experience. This verse shows that even the Son of God faced it, offering a measure of solace and understanding to those who have been betrayed.
  • God's Unfolding Plan: Despite the darkness of Judas's act, it was part of God's sovereign plan for the salvation of humanity. This offers comfort that even in the midst of human sin and suffering, God's ultimate purposes are being fulfilled.

The events initiated by this covenant for thirty pieces of silver ultimately led to the cross, where Jesus paid the ultimate price for the sins of the world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 11:12

    And I said unto them, If ye think good, give [me] my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty [pieces] of silver.

  • Zechariah 11:13

    And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty [pieces] of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.

  • Genesis 37:26

    And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit [is it] if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood?

  • Genesis 37:28

    Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty [pieces] of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

  • Exodus 21:32

    If the ox shall push a manservant or a maidservant; he shall give unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

  • 1 Timothy 6:9

    But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • 1 Timothy 6:10

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

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