Matthew 27:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So they took counsel and bought with them the potter 's field as a burial place for strangers.

NIV: So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners.

NASB: And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers.

CSB: They conferred together and bought the potter’s field with it as a burial place for foreigners.

NLT: After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners.

KJV: And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.

NKJV: And they consulted together and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.

Religious leaders who had paid Judas for betrayal (Matthew 26:14–16) still saw his actions as despicable and immoral. When Judas attempted to return the money, they refused it (Matthew 27:3–6). Not only that, but they also saw the money as tainted by Judas' actions and unsuitable to put in with other temple funds. Most likely, they don't want to leave more evidence of their illegal plot (John 11:48–53). So, they put their heads together and come up with a creative legal solution.

Apparently, interpretations of laws such as Deuteronomy 23:18 only meant the coins could not be "brought into" the temple. They did allow for such money to be used outside of Judaism for the common good of the community. The chief priests use Judas' returned fee to buy a field to be used as a burial place for foreigners in Israel. It's not known why it is called the "potter's field." Scholars speculate that it may have once belonged to a potter or it is possible that potters took clay from the field for their pots.

Matthew 27:3–10 reveals Judas' deep regret for betraying Jesus. He brings the 30 pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders who paid him for his cooperation. They don't want the money back, and they're not interested in Judas' confession. Judas throws the money down in the temple and hangs himself. The priests use the money to buy a field for burying foreigners. They call it the Field of Blood. Matthew states that this fulfills prophesy and quotes from Zechariah. The book of Acts also recounts Judas' death (Acts 1:16–20).

When Judas learns Jesus has been condemned, he regrets betraying the Lord. He throws down his ill-gotten money and hangs himself. Jesus is taken to Pilate, who finds nothing to charge Him with. Given the choice, the people shout for the release of a convicted murderer and insist on Jesus' death. Jesus is mocked by a battalion of soldiers and then taken to be crucified. On the cross, He is mocked for not being able to save Himself. After three hours of darkness, Jesus dies. He is buried by a rich follower in a new tomb. This location is tightly guarded to prevent anyone from stealing the body.

Matthew 27 begins with an official meeting of the Jewish ruling council. They affirm Jesus' condemnation from the previous night, described in chapter 26. Judas confesses his betrayal and hangs himself. Pilate tries to release Jesus, but the mob shouts for Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is humiliated by Roman soldiers and marched to be executed. On the cross, He is mocked by Jewish religious leaders and others. He dies and is buried in a never-used tomb. Extensive efforts to secure His body from being stolen only serve to prove the miraculous nature of His resurrection, which is detailed in chapter 28.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 12/4/2024 3:35:23 AM