Matthew 27:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Refer to the commentary on Matthew 27:3. The anguish of conscience was not endured by them. Likewise, the Jews are in a similar predicament; despite their suffering, they hasten to compound their wrongdoing. The betrayal committed by Judas is already a done deed, yet their own transgression remains unactualized. Now that they have completed their dreadful task and executed Jesus, confusion overtakes them. They protest: ‘Do not write: this is the king of the Jews’ (John 19:2); yet, what fear is there, what confusion surrounds them, when the lifeless body is affixed to the cross? They worry instead that ‘lest His disciples, coming by night, steal Him away and say to the people, “He is risen from the dead”; and the last deception will be worse than the first’ (Matthew 27:64).

The seriousness of malevolence surpasses that of greed: Judas, witnessing the Lord's condemnation to death, returned the payment to the priests, as though he had the ability to alter the decision of his accusers. Even though he shifted his intentions, he could not modify the outcome or the repercussions of his initial choice. If Judas sinned in delivering the innocent blood, how much greater was the sin of those who purchased the innocent blood and, by providing the payment, prompted the disciple's betrayal? Those who attempt to argue that there are varying natures and claim that Judas, the betrayer, was inherently evil and unable to maintain his election as an apostle must explain how a corrupt nature could lead to genuine repentance.

"I have sinned," declares Judas, "by delivering up innocent blood." Although the remorse of the betrayer serves no purpose, as his sin is one against the Holy Spirit, he still does not deny the gravity of his actions. While he may not receive forgiveness, his admission reveals the arrogance of the Jewish leaders. The acknowledgment from the one who betrayed Christ exposes their culpability, yet they brazenly defend their involvement in this egregious act and proclaim their innocence, saying, "What do we care? See for yourself." Deluded, they believe they are absolved and not condemned alongside the traitor.

In stating, ‘We have sinned by betraying the innocent blood,’ Judas affirmed the innocence of Jesus Christ's death, while the Jews, claiming, ‘that which is ours; thou shalt see,’ concurred with his assertion; thus, the veracity of the matter was acknowledged even by their adversaries. However, driven by rage, they shifted all culpability onto Judas, and, consumed by their fervor, rushed toward the act of murder.

Declaring, “We have transgressed by betraying the blood of the righteous.” See v. 3. And they responded, "What is that to us? You will see. What is it to us? Judge for yourself; if you have sinned, it is your own matter; it does not concern us," replied the leaders. Their words are spoken with a cold detachment: yet is the heart truly at peace? Indeed, the heart must be seething with resentment towards the advocate of Jesus. Poor souls! They claim it does not affect them. But how can this be? If Judas wronged by trading innocent blood, can those who purchased that blood be deemed righteous? If Jesus is innocent, pure, and holy, then are not the judges who condemn Him truly wicked?

Judas Iscariot, the son destined for destruction, observed with a disturbed heart the events unfolding in Caiaphas' palace on that fateful night of the Lord’s passion. In his betrayal of the Lord, he may have believed that the situation would not culminate in the condemnation of Christ; perhaps the guards would hesitate to seize the Miracle Worker, or He would somehow evade capture. But suddenly, it became clear to all that He was condemned. Conscience surged within him with relentless force. All his plans and passions vanished as if driven away by a malevolent spirit; only the weight of remorse and anguish remained. This profound agony of conscience plunged him into despair.

The arrival of Judas, his contrition, and demise. As soon as they exited the courtroom, Judas, the betrayer, made his way in. Upon witnessing Jesus, condemned and bound, guilt overwhelmed him, and he earnestly proclaimed to the chief priests and elders, 'I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.' One might expect that Judas's repentance would have prompted the judges to reconsider and recognize their judicial misstep in the sentence they had just declared; however, they, in agreement with Judas regarding their intent to spill innocent blood, were eager to proceed with the execution.

Judas had fulfilled the role they required of him, and he had lost all significance in their eyes. In the midst of his torment and desperation, he entered the very chamber of the priests, a place where no one uninitiated would dare tread. Trembling, he returned the sack filled with the price of an innocent man's blood, babbling confused accusations and pleas. Yet, he was more likely to stir a sentiment of mercy in the unyielding stone of the temple than to penetrate the hearts of those who were steeped in their zealous cruelty. “What is it to us? Look for yourself,” was the reply he received, cold and devoid of compassion.

"Having surrendered innocent blood": this refers to killing an innocent person. This serves as a profound affirmation of the Lord's purity. Judas, who had been the Lord's most devoted disciple for three years, switched from being a follower to an adversary and now testifies that he betrayed an innocent man. However, in acknowledging the Lord's innocence, Judas’s declaration before the Jewish authorities only exacerbates both his own guilt and that of the religious leaders. His guilt arises from his failure to repent, or from repenting too late, as he ultimately brought condemnation upon himself by admitting to his betrayal (albeit in vain). The leaders’ guilt intensifies because, despite having the opportunity to turn from their wicked ways, they chose not to repent (Chrysostom).