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,
Original Language Analysis
Τότε
Then
G5119
Τότε
Then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
1 of 18
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
ἰδὼν
when he saw
G1492
ἰδὼν
when he saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
2 of 18
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
Ἰούδας
Judas
G2455
Ἰούδας
Judas
Strong's:
G2455
Word #:
3 of 18
judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παραδιδοὺς
had betrayed
G3860
παραδιδοὺς
had betrayed
Strong's:
G3860
Word #:
5 of 18
to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 18
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
7 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἀπέστρεψεν
and brought again
G654
ἀπέστρεψεν
and brought again
Strong's:
G654
Word #:
10 of 18
to turn away or back (literally or figuratively)
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀργύρια
pieces of silver
G694
ἀργύρια
pieces of silver
Strong's:
G694
Word #:
13 of 18
silvery, i.e., (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e., drachma or shekel)
τοῖς
which
G3588
τοῖς
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεῦσιν
to the chief priests
G749
ἀρχιερεῦσιν
to the chief priests
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
15 of 18
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
This occurred during Passover morning after the Sanhedrin's condemnation and before Pilate's sentence. Judas's suicide (v. 5) happened while Jesus stood trial before Pilate. The thirty silver pieces (likely Tyrian shekels) represented about four months' wages—the betrayal price revealing both Judas's greed and the leaders' contempt for Jesus.
Questions for Reflection
- What distinguishes genuine repentance (metanoeo) from mere remorse (metamellomai), and why does only the former lead to salvation?
- How does Judas's tragic end demonstrate that proximity to Jesus and religious activity do not guarantee transformation of heart?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself (μεταμεληθείς, metameletheis)—critically, this is NOT metanoeo (true repentance), but metamellomai, meaning regret or remorse. Judas experienced emotional distress over consequences, not godly sorrow leading to life-change (2 Cor 7:10). He regretted what happened, not what he was.
The thirty pieces of silver (τὰ τριάκοντα ἀργύρια)—the price of a slave gored by an ox (Exodus 21:32), a contemptuous valuation. Zechariah 11:12-13 prophetically described this precise amount as the insulting wage paid to God's rejected shepherd. Judas's attempt to return blood money reveals conscience without conversion—the chief priests' refusal to reclaim it (v. 6) underscores their hypocrisy, scrupulous about ceremonial law while murdering the innocent.