Matthew 27:1-10 - The Betrayer's Remorse And Suicide
It was the very early morning when Jesus was led off to Pilate, for he was on the cross by nine. Judas apparently watched the scene from afar. It may be that he was stricken with horror, when our Lord did not exert His mighty power in self-deliverance. The only expedient that occurred to the traitor as practicable was to attest the Lord's innocence. What a tribute that was to the absolute purity and beauty of the life which he had known for so long in the closest intimacy! If there had been a flaw, he would have caught at it as justifying his deed; but there was none. See Hebrews 7:26-27.
The money burnt his hands and rang on the marble floor. Who can estimate the despair, the horror, the blackness of darkness that drove him to a suicide's fate? See Acts 1:15, etc. Note how punctilious these false priests were, Matthew 27:6. It is certain that even after this, if he had repented, he would have been forgiven. But despair had seized him. He went to his own place! Each of us is making a place for himself and is going to it. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 27
1Jesus is delivered bound to Pilate 3Judas hangs himself 19Pilate, admonished of his wife, 20and being urged by the multitude, washes his hands, and releases Barabbas 27Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns; 33crucified; 39reviled; 50dies, and is buried; 62his tomb is sealed and watched
Greek Commentary for Matthew 27:8
The field of blood [αγρος αιματος] This name was attached to it because it was the price of blood and that is not inconsistent with Acts 1:18. Today potter‘s field carries the idea here started of burial place for strangers who have no where else to lie (εις ταπην τοις χενοις eis taphēn tois xenois), probably at first Jews from elsewhere dying in Jerusalem. In Acts 1:19 it is called Aceldama or place of blood (χωριον αιματος chōrion haimatos) for the reason that Judas‘ blood was shed there, here because it was purchased by blood money. Both reasons could be true. [source]
What do the individual words in Matthew 27:8 mean?
Thereforewas calledthefieldthatof Bloodto-this day
Greek Commentary for Matthew 27:8
This name was attached to it because it was the price of blood and that is not inconsistent with Acts 1:18. Today potter‘s field carries the idea here started of burial place for strangers who have no where else to lie (εις ταπην τοις χενοις eis taphēn tois xenois), probably at first Jews from elsewhere dying in Jerusalem. In Acts 1:19 it is called Aceldama or place of blood (χωριον αιματος chōrion haimatos) for the reason that Judas‘ blood was shed there, here because it was purchased by blood money. Both reasons could be true. [source]