Matthew 27:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Do you notice once more how their conscience condemns them? They recognized that they had purchased bloodshed, which is why they refrained from placing it in the treasury, choosing instead to acquire the potter's field for the burial of strangers.

The treasury of the church served as the vessel for the offerings presented to God. Observe how the Lord exposes their folly, unveiling their violent intentions.

They were apprehensive about the words of Scripture and sought to hinder their realization. Yet, the silver, when it was taken into the temple, had already been sanctified because of it. "And that they bought with it a place of burial," was a righteous act, done for the glory of God, so that the Scripture's prophecy might come to pass, revealing a profound mystery. If this silver was indeed given from the sanctuary, why could it not be returned to the same treasury? Why was it not allowed to combine this money with the funds from which it originated? Had the silver not come from there, they could have stated it plainly. Was this silver any more defiled than other silver? Was it more defiled than Goliath's sword, which was wrapped in linen and placed by the altar (1 Sam.

Indeed, these are individuals who meticulously focus on minor details while ignoring significant issues. They do not contribute money to the temple treasury among the offerings made to God, as it represents the cost of blood. If that is the case, then why was the blood shed at all?

The Jewish leaders did not return the blood money to the treasury; instead, with the funds used to betray Christ, they purchased a potter's field for the burial of travelers. This action fulfilled the prophetic words, as noted in Zechariah 11:12, unveiling the mystery of the Church that was to come into being. According to divine teaching, the field represents the world, as stated in Matthew 13:38. The potter symbolizes the Creator who formed humanity from the dust of the earth, as expressed in the Old Testament: And God created man from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7). He has the authority to create us by His nature and to renew us by His grace in His divine plan.

They openly acknowledge that it represents a cost of blood or recompense for a life taken. Corvana served as the place where the offering was stored. I believe it is referred to as a treasury, a term derived from the Greek word (γαζοφυλακιον), since in Roman context, wealth is denoted by the term γαζα.

They then converse amongst themselves, saying that it is not fitting to offer them as a sacrifice, for the cost is blood. Your words reveal your own judgment. If the offering is impure, then the action is impure as well; and if your actions in executing Christ are just, why do you reject the sacrifice?

The Sanhedrin aimed to suppress Judas' testimony regarding Jesus from the populace; they rejected his offerings in the temple and purchased a burial site with silver coins from a potter for the unconventional man. Yet, the Sanhedrin ultimately achieved nothing. The news quickly spread, and the people referred to the potter's field not as the burial ground for the unusual, but rather as the field of blood, Akeldama; this name was established fifty days after the Savior’s resurrection (Acts 1:19); as St. Matthew recorded, it retained this designation eternally.

According to St. Matthew, the leaders of the early church recognized, "It is not lawful to place this money into the church treasury, for it is the price of blood, tainted funds; it was purchased with the blood of Jesus." St. Chrysostom remarks that they understand they have essentially paid for murder, which is why they refrained from depositing the money in the treasury; this serves as evidence against them and highlights their betrayal. It is indeed remarkable how they adhere to a trivial tradition regarding the purity of money, while simultaneously committing the grave sin of deicide, as illustrated by the metaphor of straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel (Matt. 23:24).

Regardless of the circumstances, the high priests gathered the discarded silver coins and later held discussions about their potential use. They decided to purchase a piece of land from a potter with the money that Judas had thrown away. In their moral corruption, they found it unthinkable to utilize this instrument of treachery for the temple's benefit, as it represented the price of blood. Thus, they acquired a tract of land intended for the burial of strangers, which for a considerable time came to be known as the field of blood.

However, those who once willingly purchased innocent blood now viewed reclaiming the payment for the wicked act as an infringement of the law. They were troubled by the blood marks on the silver coins, yet they remained oblivious to the stains on their own darkened hearts.

"It is unlawful," etc.: It is likely that the adversaries of Jesus Christ referenced the statute from Deuteronomy 23:13, as there is no other similar regulation. Their profound malice toward the Lord Jesus is evident, as seen in the payment they gave Judas for betraying Him (cf. note on Matthew 26:15). - "Into the treasury of the church" (korvana): "A korvana was a container in which offerings to God were placed" (Theophilus). Numerous such receptacles existed, situated in various locations within the courtyard designated for women at the temple (see note to Matthew 21:12). These were used for both the voluntary gifts from the people and the half-shekel mandated by law from every Jew for the temple. - "The price of blood": or of human life. It is striking how fervently they sought to uphold a lesser law while violating the fundamental commandment not to condemn the innocent! The Lord’s words in Matthew 23:23 resonate powerfully with their actions!

It was prohibited by scripture to receive impure funds into the congregation (Deuteronomy 23:18).