What does Matthew 27:6 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 27:6 recounts an action taken by the Jewish religious leaders, the chief priests, after Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, returned the thirty pieces of silver he received to betray Jesus.

Realizing his grave error and wracked by guilt, Judas tries to return the blood money, but the chief priests refuse to accept it back into the temple treasury, deeming it unclean because it was "the price of blood." This verse highlights the irony and hypocrisy of the religious leaders who had arranged for Jesus' betrayal and then refused the money out of supposed respect for the law, specifically the regulation against accepting blood money into the temple coffers.

Historical Context

This event takes place after Jesus' arrest and during his trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish court.

During this period, the Jewish people were under Roman rule, and the temple in Jerusalem was a center of religious worship and a symbol of national identity.

The chief priests held significant religious authority and were responsible for maintaining the purity of the temple.

The Law of Moses made clear distinctions about what was considered clean or unclean, and money gained through a sinful act, such as a betrayal leading to bloodshed, would have been a pollutant if permitted into the sacred temple funds.

Theological Insights

In Christian theology, this verse raises issues of integrity, responsibility, and the role of religious leaders.

From a Christian viewpoint, the chief priests are seen as morally responsible for Jesus' death despite their attempts to distance themselves from the betrayal money.

This action implicates them further in the conspiracy against Jesus.

Another theological insight is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, specifically Zechariah 11:12-13, where thirty pieces of silver are thrown into the house of the Lord for the potter, symbolically prefiguring Judas' betrayal and the subsequent actions of the chief priests.

Practical Applications

In a contemporary context, Matthew 27:6 can serve as a warning against hypocrisy and the rationalization of wrongdoing. It can encourage individuals to be consistent in their values and actions and not to compartmentalize their ethics.

Furthermore, it presents a lesson in taking responsibility for one's actions and decisions, rather than trying to disown the consequences when they become uncomfortable or socially unacceptable.

Cross-References

• Zechariah 11:12-13: "And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear.

So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them.

And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord."

• Exodus 30:13: "This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the Lord."
• Matthew 26:14-16: “Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.”

Language Study

The key phrase "price of blood" (Greek: "τιμὴ αἵματος", timē haimatos) is significant. In the original Greek text, "τιμὴ" (timē) refers to a price or value placed on something, while "αἵματος" (haimatos) pertains to blood, often with the understanding of a life taken or sacrificed.

Thus, the phrase places an emphasis on the cost of a life, indicating the gravity of the transaction that transpired.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the ancient Near East, religious sanctuaries often had treasuries where offerings and dedicated funds were stored. Rules around what was considered acceptable for offering varied greatly among cultures.

In ancient Israel, the Law of Moses provided comprehensive guidelines for what was clean or unclean and suitable for the temple. Comparatively, in other ancient religions, dedications often included goods acquired through various means without strict ethical guidelines as seen in Jewish law.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives do not typically intersect with Bible verses that deal with historical events and moral actions.

However, the psychological aspects of cognitive dissonance, as demonstrated by the chief priests in this situation, can be examined scientifically.

Cognitive dissonance, a term used in modern psychology, describes the mental discomfort experienced by someone who holds contradictory beliefs or values, or by their actions conflicting with their beliefs, which potentially could be applied to the priests' behavior here.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators have seen Matthew 27:6 as a pivotal moment that reflects the moral corruption of the Jewish leadership of the time.

They noted the priests' refusal to acknowledge the tainted nature of the silver when first conspiring with Judas, yet later deem it unsuitable for the temple treasury.

Matthew Henry's Commentary points out the religious leaders' punctiliousness in observing outward forms of the law while being seriously flawed morally.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges highlights the legalistic approach of the priests, attending to the letter of the law rather than its spirit.