King James Version

What Does Matthew 27:3 Mean?

Matthew 27:3 in the King James Version says “Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pi... — study this verse from Matthew chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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,

Matthew 27:3 · KJV


Context

1

When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

2

And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

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,

4

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

5

And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What distinguishes genuine repentance (metanoeo) from mere remorse (metamellomai), and why does only the former lead to salvation?
  2. How does Judas's tragic end demonstrate that proximity to Jesus and religious activity do not guarantee transformation of heart?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
Τότε1 of 18

Then

G5119

the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)

ἰδὼν2 of 18

when he saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

Ἰούδας3 of 18

Judas

G2455

judas (i.e., jehudah), the name of ten israelites; also of the posterity of one of them and its region

τοῖς4 of 18

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

παραδιδοὺς5 of 18

had betrayed

G3860

to surrender, i.e yield up, entrust, transmit

αὐτὸν6 of 18

him

G846

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

ὅτι7 of 18

that

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

κατεκρίθη8 of 18

he was condemned

G2632

to judge against, i.e., sentence

μεταμεληθεὶς9 of 18

repented himself

G3338

to care afterwards, i.e., regret

ἀπέστρεψεν10 of 18

and brought again

G654

to turn away or back (literally or figuratively)

τοῖς11 of 18

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τριάκοντα12 of 18

the thirty

G5144

thirty

ἀργύρια13 of 18

pieces of silver

G694

silvery, i.e., (by implication) cash; specially, a silverling (i.e., drachma or shekel)

τοῖς14 of 18

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀρχιερεῦσιν15 of 18

to the chief priests

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

καὶ16 of 18

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῖς17 of 18

which

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πρεσβυτέροις18 of 18

elders

G4245

older; as noun, a senior; specially, an israelite sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or christian "presbyter"


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 27:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 27:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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