Matthew 27:6

And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

And {G1161} the chief priests {G749} took {G2983} the silver pieces {G694}, and said {G2036}, It is {G1832} not {G3756} lawful {G1832} for to put {G906} them {G846} into {G1519} the treasury {G2878}, because {G1893} it is {G2076} the price {G5092} of blood {G129}.

The head cohanim took the silver coins and said, "It is prohibited to put this into the Temple treasury, because it is blood money."

The chief priests picked up the pieces of silver and said, “It is unlawful to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.”

And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.

Commentary

Matthew 27:6 describes the chief priests' reaction to Judas returning the thirty pieces of silver he received for betraying Jesus. Their concern was not about the injustice done to Jesus, but about the ritual impurity of the money.

Context

This verse follows Judas's remorse after seeing Jesus condemned. He threw the silver pieces back into the temple. The chief priests, having received the money, face a dilemma. According to Jewish law and tradition, money received from certain illicit or defiled sources was considered impure and could not be placed into the temple treasury, also known as the corban (κορβανᾶς - korbanas), which held funds for sacred purposes and temple upkeep. The money paid for a life (even an unjustly taken one) was deemed "the price of blood," making it unsuitable for holy use.

Key Themes

  • The Price of Blood: The phrase timē haimatos (τιμὴ αἵματος) signifies money obtained through taking a life, particularly unjustly. This concept rendered the money ritually unclean and unfit for sacred purposes like the temple treasury.
  • Religious Hypocrisy: The chief priests meticulously observed the ritual purity laws regarding the money while having just orchestrated the unjust condemnation and death of an innocent man. This highlights their focus on external religious observance over true justice and mercy, a theme Jesus often critiqued, such as their tithing of mint and anise but neglecting weightier matters of the law (see Matthew 23:23).
  • Ill-Gotten Gain: The verse illustrates the defilement associated with money acquired through evil acts. Such gain cannot be integrated into righteous or holy endeavors.

Linguistic Insights

The term used for "treasury" is korbanas (κορβανᾶς), which specifically refers to the sacred treasury of the temple where gifts dedicated to God were kept. The chief priests' concern was that money derived from "the price of blood" (timē haimatos - τιμὴ αἵματος) would defile this sacred fund, showing their strict adherence to certain ritual laws, even as they violated core moral principles.

Related Scriptures

  • This event immediately follows Judas's remorse and his attempt to return the money: Matthew 27:3.
  • The subsequent action of the chief priests using the money to buy a potter's field is seen as a fulfillment of prophecy: Matthew 27:9-10.
  • The original agreement to pay Judas is recorded in: Matthew 26:15.

Reflection

Matthew 27:6 serves as a stark reminder that God cares more about the heart and the source of gain than external religious formalities. The chief priests were meticulous about not defiling the temple treasury with blood money, yet their hands were stained with the blood of the innocent Messiah. This challenges us to consider the source of our resources and the integrity of our actions, ensuring that our outward religious practices are matched by inward righteousness and justice. Ill-gotten gain can never truly be consecrated or used for holy purposes in a way that is pleasing to God.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 6:7 (3 votes)

    And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

  • Luke 6:9 (3 votes)

    Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy [it]?

  • Deuteronomy 23:18 (3 votes)

    Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these [are] abomination unto the LORD thy God.

  • Isaiah 61:8 (2 votes)

    For I the LORD love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

  • John 18:28 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.

  • Matthew 23:24 (2 votes)

    [Ye] blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.