Matthew - Week 87

Filled with Remorse 

READ 

Matthew 27:3-4 

3 When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders. 4 “I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” 

Although Judas had remorse, there is no indication he changed his mind about the sin he had committed in betraying the Son of God. He admitted he had “betrayed an innocent man,” but there is no record in the Scripture that He asked forgiveness for his sin. Jesus had forgiven others during His time on earth so there was no reason He would not have forgiven Judas had he requested such even at this final hour. 

REFLECT 

Do you understand it takes more than just being sorry for your sin; you need to believe in Jesus for salvation. 

RESPOND 

It is popular to talk about the need to “repent of one’s sin,” which means “to change one’s mind.” This would assume a change of direction as well, but if the person does not believe in Jesus for salvation after changing his mind, he does not become a Christ-follower. Judas is an example of this. 

Payment for Murder 

READ 

Matthew 27:5-6 

5 Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself. 6 The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.”  

There are different words in the New Testament Greek that referred to the temple. One word, hieron, referred to the space dedicated to deity and denoted the entire temple area. Another word, naos, referred to an “inhabited place” and referred to the inner sanctuary and was used of the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. It is this word used in today’s passage. Only the priests were to enter these areas, and only the high priest was allowed in the most holy place once a year.  This reveals Judas’ disregard for holy things and also for the priests to whom he had betrayed Jesus. Notice how hypocritical the religious leaders were. They were guilty of murder yet they didn’t want to put the money in the temple treasury. 

REFLECT 

Think of the hatred in the heart of Judas as well as in the hearts of the religious leaders.  

RESPOND 

With a friend read about the most holy place in Hebrews 9:6-8. Notice the high priest had to offer blood for his own sins, but Jesus never had to do that. Read Hebrews 4:14-16 to see we can come to Jesus any time.  

Field of Blood 

READ 

Matthew 27:7-10 

7 After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners. 8 That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood. 9 This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, “They took the thirty pieces of silver—the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel, 10 and purchased the potter’s field, as the Lord directed.” 

The “potter’s field” seems to have been a field from which clay was taken to make pottery. It became known as “the Field of Blood” because of Gentiles being buried there. The price they paid Judas to betray Jesus was used to purchase this field. 

REFLECT 

Have you heard of the Potter’s Field before? Some funeral homes still have a cemetery called that. This is where those are buried who have no one to claim the body. 

RESPOND 

Think how sad it would be to pass from this life with no family or friends who would even claim your earthly remains. Sadder still would be to pass from this life without being sure of your salvation. Read John 3:16, 36 to know how to receive the life that lasts forever. 

Audience with Pilate 

READ 

Matthew 27:11-14 

11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.” 12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent. 13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise. 

Jesus was before Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate would have the authority to put Him to death so this was an extremely serious situation. Jesus admitted to Pilate that He was the king of the Jews, but when the Jewish leaders made accusations, Jesus said nothing. Pilate did not understand why Jesus was not answering the religious leaders inasmuch as He claimed to be the king of the Jews.  

REFLECT 

Think again about the truth that Jesus could have called thousands of angels to defend Him, but He stood silent before His accusers. 

RESPOND 

To see the spiritual hypocrisy of the accusers, read John 18:28. They were willing to have the one who claimed to be the Son of God killed, but they didn’t want to ceremonially defile themselves.  

The Governor's Custom 

READ 

Matthew 27:15-18 

15 Now it was the governor’s custom each year during the Passover celebration to release one prisoner to the crowd—anyone they wanted. 16 This year there was a notorious prisoner, a man named Barabbas. 17 As the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house that morning, he asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” 18 (He knew very well that the religious leaders had arrested Jesus out of envy.) 

Pilate thought the Jews would change their minds if offered a choice about having Barabbas released or the one arrested because of envy. Barabbas was known to be a murderer (see Mark 15:6-11). Luke reported the same and added that Pilate wanted to release Jesus (see Luke 23:18-20).  

REFLECT 

Think of the abuse Jesus had yet to go through even though Pilate thought He was innocent of violating any Roman law. 

RESPOND 

Spend time with another Christ-follower and consider all that Jesus went through for you and all mankind. Pray for your friends who need Jesus.