King James Version

What Does Matthew 27:4 Mean?

Matthew 27:4 in the King James Version says “Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Matthew 27:4 · KJV

Context

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.

6

And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood (ἥμαρτον παραδοὺς αἷμα ἀθῷον)—Judas's confession uses hēmarton ("I sinned"), the aorist tense indicating a completed, irreversible act. His recognition of Christ as haima athōon ("innocent blood") unwittingly fulfills Isaiah 53:9 ("he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth"). Yet this is remorse, not repentance—Judas acknowledges guilt but seeks relief from consequences rather than restoration with God.

What is that to us? see thou to that (τί πρὸς ἡμᾶς; σὺ ὄψῃ)—The chief priests' callous dismissal reveals the hardness that religious externalism produces. The phrase sy opsē ("you will see to it") throws responsibility back on Judas with brutal indifference. They paid thirty pieces of silver (the price of a slave, Exodus 21:32) to secure his betrayal, but now disown any moral culpability. This exchange exposes the difference between worldly sorrow that leads to death (2 Corinthians 7:10) and godly grief that produces repentance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred early Friday morning after the illegal night trial before Caiaphas (circa 30 AD). Judas's return to the temple treasury occurred while Jesus stood before Pilate. The thirty pieces of silver were temple shekels, making the priests' acceptance of "blood money" a profound violation of Deuteronomy 23:18. Matthew alone records Judas's fate, emphasizing the theological consequence of betraying the Messiah.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the difference between Judas's remorse and Peter's repentance, and where do you see each pattern in your own life?
  2. How does the priests' refusal of responsibility challenge us about complicity in injustice we set in motion but distance ourselves from?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
λέγων,1 of 13

“Saying”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Ἥμαρτον2 of 13

“I have sinned”

G264

properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e., (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin

παραδοὺς3 of 13

“in that I have betrayed”

G3860

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

αἷμα4 of 13

“blood”

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

ἀθῷον5 of 13

“the innocent”

G121

not guilty

οἱ6 of 13
G3588

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

δὲ7 of 13

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

εἶπον,8 of 13

“they said”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

Τί9 of 13

“What”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

πρὸς10 of 13

“is that to”

G4314

a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,

ἡμᾶς11 of 13

“us”

G2248

us

σὺ12 of 13

“thou”

G4771

thou

ὄψει13 of 13

“see”

G3700

to gaze (i.e., with wide-open eyes, as at something remarkable; and thus differing from g0991, which denotes simply voluntary observation; and from g1

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 27:4 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 27:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 18:15-171 Samuel 15:241 Samuel 28:16-20Luke 16:25-262 Kings 24:4Acts 13:28

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