Matthew 27:4

KJV

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What [is that] to us? see thou [to that].

KJV (with Strong's)

Saying {G3004}, I have sinned {G264} in that I have betrayed {G3860} the innocent {G121} blood {G129}. And {G1161} they said {G2036}, What {G5101} is that to {G4314} us {G2248}? see {G3700} thou {G4771} to that.

Complete Jewish Bible

saying, "I sinned in betraying an innocent man to death." "What is that to us?" they answered. "That's your problem."

Berean Standard Bible

“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”

American Standard Version

saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 27:4 captures the desperate confession of Judas Iscariot, who, overwhelmed by guilt upon seeing Jesus condemned, admits to the chief priests and elders, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood." This profound declaration underscores Jesus's blamelessness even from the lips of His betrayer. The religious leaders' chillingly dismissive response—"What is that to us? see thou to that"—reveals their hardened hearts, their refusal to acknowledge their complicity, and their prioritization of self-preservation over justice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Judas's deep remorse and his attempt to return the thirty pieces of silver](/matthew/27-3 "Matthew 27:3 - Judas's Remorse and Attempted Return of Silver"), the payment for his betrayal of Jesus. Having witnessed the condemnation of Jesus by the Sanhedrin, Judas is overcome by a profound sense of guilt and despair. He seeks to undo his grave sin by returning the blood money to the very people who orchestrated the arrest and trial. The dialogue in [Matthew 27:4](/matthew/27-4 "Matthew 27:4 - Judas's Confession") is his direct confession to these leaders, setting the stage for his tragic suicide in [Matthew 27:5](/matthew/27-5 "Matthew 27:5 - Judas's Suicide") and the priests' subsequent decision regarding the money in [Matthew 27:6-10](/matthew/27-6-10 "Matthew 27:6-10 - The Purchase of the Potter's Field"). This passage highlights the stark contrast between Judas's despairing confession and the leaders' unrepentant, self-serving indifference, all against the backdrop of Jesus's unjust trial and impending crucifixion.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene likely takes place within or near the temple precincts, where the chief priests and elders would have been gathered, possibly still discussing the logistics of Jesus's condemnation before presenting Him to Pilate. The "thirty pieces of silver" refer to the price of a slave (cf. [Exodus 21:32](/exodus/21-32 "Exodus 21:32 - Price of a Slave")), a deeply symbolic and debasing sum for the Son of God. The religious leaders' concern, as seen in subsequent verses, is not with the innocent blood shed, but with the ritual impurity of "blood money" being placed into the temple treasury ([Matthew 27:6](/matthew/27-6 "Matthew 27:6 - Priests' Scruples")). This reveals a profound hypocrisy: they meticulously observe ceremonial laws while utterly disregarding the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness ([Matthew 23:23](/matthew/23-23 "Matthew 23:23 - Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees")). Their dismissive attitude toward Judas's confession underscores the deep spiritual blindness and moral corruption that characterized their leadership, culminating in their rejection of the Messiah.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Matthew's Gospel and the broader Passion narrative. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Jesus's Innocence**. Even His betrayer, a hostile witness, testifies to Christ's blamelessness, echoing Pilate's later declarations in [Matthew 27:24](/matthew/27-24 "Matthew 27:24 - Pilate Washes His Hands"). Secondly, it explores the theme of **Guilt and (False) Repentance**. Judas experiences profound remorse and confession, yet it is a worldly sorrow that leads to despair and self-destruction, rather than a godly sorrow leading to saving repentance ([2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow")). Thirdly, the passage highlights the **Hardening of Hearts and Moral Responsibility**. The chief priests and elders exemplify spiritual callousness, refusing to accept any responsibility for their actions, demonstrating the corrupting power of sin and pride. Finally, it foreshadows the **Consequences of Betrayal and Rejection**, not only for Judas but also for the nation of Israel, which ultimately rejected its Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sinned (Greek, _hamartánō'_):** From G264, meaning "to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin." Judas's use of this word is a direct acknowledgment of his moral transgression against God and man. It signifies a failure to meet a divine standard, a deviation from righteousness.
* **betrayed (Greek, _paradídōmi'_):** From G3860, meaning "to surrender, i.e. yield up, intrust, transmit." In this context, it carries the sinister connotation of handing over someone to an enemy, implying treachery and a breach of trust. It highlights the active role Judas played in delivering Jesus into the hands of those who sought His death.
* **innocent (Greek, _áthōos'_):** From G121, meaning "not guilty." This word is crucial as it directly describes Jesus's state. Judas, despite his heinous act, cannot deny Jesus's blamelessness. This confession from a hostile source serves as a powerful testament to Christ's purity and the unjust nature of His condemnation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood."**: This is Judas's desperate confession. The phrase "innocent blood" (Greek: _haima athōon_) is a powerful idiom signifying a life unjustly taken or condemned. Judas acknowledges his profound moral failure ("I have sinned") and specifies the nature of his sin: the treacherous act of handing over a blameless person to be put to death. His words are a direct, albeit despairing, affirmation of Jesus's purity and the profound injustice of His condemnation. This confession is born of an overwhelming sense of guilt and remorse, but notably, it lacks any indication of turning to God for forgiveness.
* **"And they said,"**: This simple conjunction and verb introduce the response of the chief priests and elders, marking a sharp transition from Judas's anguished confession to their cold, dismissive reply. It sets up the dramatic contrast between the betrayer's despair and the leaders' callous indifference.
* **"What [is that] to us?"**: This rhetorical question from the religious leaders is a shocking display of their hardened hearts and moral evasion. It is a complete dismissal of Judas's guilt, Jesus's innocence, and their own culpability. They effectively wash their hands of the matter, refusing to accept any responsibility for the profound injustice they have orchestrated. Their concern is not with the truth or the sanctity of life, but with maintaining their power and avoiding any personal implication.
* **"see thou [to that]."**: This imperative command further emphasizes their complete disavowal of responsibility. It is a cold, unfeeling directive, essentially telling Judas to deal with his own conscience and consequences. This phrase encapsulates their moral bankruptcy and their utter lack of empathy or concern for either Judas's spiritual state or Jesus's unjust fate.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 27:4 is rich with **Irony** and **Contrast**. The supreme irony lies in the fact that the betrayer of Jesus is the one who declares His innocence, while the religious leaders, who claim to uphold God's law, refuse to acknowledge it. This creates a stark **Contrast** between Judas's agonizing, though unredemptive, confession and the chief priests' and elders' cold, self-serving dismissal. The passage also employs **Dialogue** to reveal character and advance the plot, with Judas's desperate plea met by the leaders' callous retort. This exchange is a powerful example of **Foreshadowing**, as Judas's declaration of "innocent blood" anticipates Pilate's later public declaration of Jesus's blamelessness ([Matthew 27:24](/matthew/27-24 "Matthew 27:24 - Pilate's Declaration of Innocence")) and ultimately highlights the unparalleled purity of the Lamb of God. The leaders' response itself is a form of **Evasion** and **Denial**, showcasing their spiritual blindness and the hardening effect of their sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 27:4 stands as a stark theological commentary on the nature of guilt, the purity of Christ, and the perils of spiritual hardness. Judas's confession of "innocent blood" serves as an undeniable, albeit tragic, testimony to Jesus's sinless perfection. Even from the mouth of His betrayer, the truth of Christ's blamelessness shines forth, underscoring the profound injustice of His condemnation. This confession, however, is born of worldly sorrow, leading to despair and self-destruction, rather than godly sorrow that leads to repentance and life. In contrast, the chief priests and elders embody the dangers of a hardened heart, where religious zeal becomes a cloak for moral depravity. Their dismissive response illustrates a profound spiritual blindness and a refusal to acknowledge their complicity in shedding innocent blood, prioritizing ritual purity over true justice and human life. This passage thus highlights the critical difference between remorse and genuine repentance, and the devastating consequences of rejecting truth and responsibility.

* [2 Corinthians 7:10](/2_corinthians/7-10 "Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow")
* [Psalm 106:38](/psalms/106-38 "Shedding Innocent Blood")
* [Deuteronomy 21:8](/deuteronomy/21-8 "Atonement for Innocent Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 27:4 offers profound insights for personal reflection and application, challenging us to examine our own responses to sin, guilt, and responsibility. Judas's experience serves as a powerful, cautionary tale: while he felt profound remorse and even confessed his sin, his sorrow did not lead to repentance but to despair. True repentance involves not just acknowledging wrong, but turning *to God* for forgiveness, trusting in His mercy, and seeking reconciliation. Are we quick to confess our sins to God, seeking His grace, or do we wallow in guilt, perhaps even attempting to "fix" things ourselves apart from Him? The chief priests and elders, on the other hand, illustrate the dangers of a hardened heart—a refusal to take responsibility, a callous indifference to justice, and a prioritizing of self-preservation over truth. We must ask ourselves if we, too, sometimes dismiss the truth when it implicates us, or if we are willing to face our complicity in injustice, even when it is uncomfortable. This verse also reminds us of the unblemished purity of Christ, attested even by His betrayer. This truth should deepen our awe and gratitude for His perfect life and His willingness to be the sinless sacrifice for our sins.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What is the difference between remorse and true repentance, as exemplified by Judas's actions?**
* **How do I typically respond when confronted with my own sin or complicity in wrongdoing? Do I seek genuine repentance or fall into despair/denial?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to dismiss or deflect responsibility, similar to the chief priests and elders?**
* **How does the testimony of Judas to Jesus's "innocent blood" deepen my understanding and appreciation of Christ's sacrifice?**

### FAQ
**Why did Judas confess his sin to the chief priests and elders, and why did they respond as they did?**

Answer: Judas confessed to the chief priests and elders because they were the ones who had paid him to betray Jesus, and they were the ones who had now condemned Jesus. He was overwhelmed by guilt and likely sought to undo his action by returning the money and declaring Jesus's innocence. He was seeking a release from his unbearable burden, perhaps even hoping they would reverse their judgment. Their response, "What is that to us? see thou to that," was a cold and dismissive rejection of his confession and their own culpability. They had achieved their objective of getting rid of Jesus and had no interest in Judas's moral crisis or the truth of Jesus's innocence. Their concern was purely pragmatic and self-serving, as evidenced by their subsequent discussion about what to do with the "blood money" in [Matthew 27:6-7](/matthew/27-6-7 "The Potter's Field"). Their response highlights their hardened hearts and their complete lack of empathy or moral responsibility.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 27:4, with Judas's desperate confession of having "betrayed the innocent blood," profoundly underscores the Christ-centered narrative. This declaration, coming from the very one who delivered Jesus to His enemies, serves as an unexpected yet powerful testimony to Jesus's absolute purity and blamelessness. It confirms that Jesus was indeed the spotless Lamb of God, without blemish or defect, perfectly qualified to be the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "Redemption by Christ's Precious Blood")). The "innocent blood" shed by Jesus was not merely the result of an unjust trial, but the divinely appointed means of redemption, foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament sacrificial system ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Without the Shedding of Blood There Is No Forgiveness")). Unlike the worldly sorrow of Judas, which led to despair, Christ's innocent blood, poured out on the cross, offers true repentance and forgiveness to all who believe ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Justified by His Blood")). Thus, even in the depths of human betrayal and the callous indifference of religious leaders, the purity of Christ shines forth, setting the stage for His ultimate triumph over sin and death, making Him the perfect sacrifice for our redemption ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Christ's One Sacrifice")).

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

Luke 23:22

And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let [him] go.

Hebrews 7:26

For such an high priest became us, [who is] holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Exodus 9:27

And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD [is] righteous, and I and my people [are] wicked.

Luke 23:41

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

Titus 1:16

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

1 Samuel 15:30

Then he said, I have sinned: [yet] honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.

1 Kings 21:27

And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.