King James Version

What Does Matthew 27:7 Mean?

Matthew 27:7 in the King James Version says “And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Matthew 27:7 · KJV

Context

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.

7

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

8

Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

9

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; whom: or, whom they bought of the children of Israel

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Commentary

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

The chief priests' dilemma with Judas's blood money (thirty silver pieces) reveals their hypocritical legalism. The Greek symboulion lambanō ("took counsel") indicates deliberation - they couldn't return blood money to the treasury (korban, dedicated to God) yet had no qualms about using it for Jesus' crucifixion. Their solution: purchase agros kerameus ("potter's field"), likely depleted clay deposits worthless for agriculture, to bury xenoi ("strangers," foreigners, those without family burial sites).

This fulfills Zechariah 11:12-13, where thirty silver pieces (a slave's price, Exodus 21:32) represent Israel's contemptuous valuation of God's shepherd, cast to the potter. Matthew's fulfillment formula (v. 9-10, citing Jeremiah/Zechariah) shows divine sovereignty orchestrating details. The "Field of Blood" (Akeldama, Acts 1:19) becomes a permanent witness to religious leaders' guilt and Messiah's rejection.

Theologically, this illustrates how even evil actions serve God's redemptive purposes. The priests' attempt to solve their moral dilemma paradoxically creates enduring testimony to their crime. Blood money purchasing a burial field ironically points to Christ's blood purchasing redemption and His burial securing resurrection. God transforms humanity's worst (deicide) into our greatest hope (salvation).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This event occurs during Passover week, 30 or 33 CE, in Jerusalem under Roman prefect Pontius Pilate. The chief priests (Sadducees controlling the Temple) held significant religious and limited political power under Roman oversight. Their concern with halakhic purity (ritual law) while orchestrating judicial murder epitomizes Jesus' critique of straining gnats while swallowing camels (Matthew 23:24).

The potter's field location is traditionally identified with Hakeldama on the south side of the Hinnom Valley, where archaeological evidence shows ancient burial caves. Potter's fields existed where clay deposits were exhausted, leaving land unsuitable for crops but usable for burials. Ancient Jewish concern for proper burial, especially of foreigners and poor who couldn't afford family tombs, motivated such designated burial grounds.

The thirty silver pieces (likely Tyrian shekels, the only currency accepted for Temple tax) equaled about four months' wages. Zechariah 11:12-13's "goodly price" is bitterly ironic - the value of a gored slave represents Israel's valuation of God's shepherd. Matthew's conflated citation (attributing to Jeremiah what appears in Zechariah) may reference Jeremiah's potter imagery (Jeremiah 18-19) or reflect ancient manuscript arrangements listing Jeremiah first among prophets.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the chief priests' scrupulous concern about blood money while orchestrating Jesus' murder illustrate the danger of legalism divorced from justice and mercy?
  2. In what ways does the 'Field of Blood' serve as a permanent witness to both human guilt and divine sovereignty in redemption?
  3. What is the significance of thirty silver pieces (a slave's price) as the valuation of God's Shepherd, and how does this intensify the betrayal's horror?
  4. How does God's sovereignty transform evil human actions (Judas's betrayal, priests' blood money use) into fulfillment of prophetic Scripture?
  5. What connections exist between the blood money purchasing a burial field and Christ's blood purchasing redemption through His death and burial?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
συμβούλιον1 of 14

“counsel”

G4824

advisement; specially, a deliberative body, i.e., the provincial assessors or lay-court

δὲ2 of 14

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

λαβόντες3 of 14

“they took”

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ἠγόρασαν4 of 14

“and bought”

G59

properly, to go to market, i.e., (by implication) to purchase; specially, to redeem

ἐξ5 of 14

“with”

G1537

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct

αὐτῶν6 of 14

“them”

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

τὸν7 of 14
G3588

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

Ἀγρὸν8 of 14

“field”

G68

a field (as a drive for cattle); genitive case, the country; specially, a farm, i.e., hamlet

τοῦ9 of 14
G3588

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

Κεραμέως10 of 14

“the potter's”

G2763

a potter

εἰς11 of 14

“to”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

ταφὴν12 of 14

“bury”

G5027

burial (the act)

τοῖς13 of 14
G3588

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

ξένοις14 of 14

“strangers”

G3581

foreign (literally, alien, or figuratively, novel); by implication, a guest or (vice-versa) entertainer

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 27:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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