Matthew 27:6 Commentary and Bible Study

The money is lying scattered on the floor where Judas cast it. What will they do with it? See their solemn consideration as men of standing, men of reputation. The chief priests pick up the thirty pieces of silver. They knew exactly what it was. Their own consciences are still being suppressed, and they maintain their hypocritical stance. Nevertheless they have a scruple even in the midst of their hypocrisy It cannot be put into the treasury, given to the Lord. Why not? ‘It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.’ Yes, it was the price of blood that they had paid out to a traitor. It is possible even for hypocrites to place some limits on their wickedness, and by observing these they carry out the fantastic feat of convincing themselves that they are righteous people. A hypocrite can get very close to his own sin and still keep it out of sight. Blood? Yes, the blood of the one they had concocted a case against by false accusation, based on desperate lies and gathering of false evidence, and then murdered. In saying this they condemn themselves, but dare even to mix hypocritical piety with their hypocrisy. One part of conscience is used to silence another part, and men play games inside themselves. Can this be done easily? No, self-deception is a hard work and takes considerable prolonged effort.They decide that Judas’ payment cannot be given to God directly; it needs to be separated from the common gifts put into the treasury. What can it be used for? Ah, they will buy a field to bury non-Jews in. That way they will keep their distance from it, and after all, non-Jews are unclean already! The exact place was still known to the day that the Gospel of Mark was written, and called ‘The field of blood’ – a lasting testimony against those who shed innocent blood.