The Teachings of Jesus

Sermon Ninety-Three

Matthew 27:1-10

(Judas’ Remorse)

by

Jim Bordwine, ThD

Introduction

We have had in-depth examinations of the principal characters involved in the last few hours of the life of Christ. We’ve seen men boast of loyalty and bravery, and we’ve seen those same men fail miserably when tested. We’ve seen men plotting to take the Lord’s life; they’ve been willing to use any means, even false testimony, to give them an excuse to take Him into custody. These stories have given us a sense of what was going on that night; we know what Jesus faced.

The one character whose story comes to an end before Jesus goes to the cross is, of course, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus. Today, we come to Matthew’s record of what happened to Judas after he led the enemies to Jesus and identified the Savior for them. His end, as we know, is not pleasant. In fact, it is gruesome.

The Text

Matthew 27:1 Now when morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people conferred together against Jesus to put Him to death; 2 and they bound Him, and led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate the governor. 3 Then when Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” But they said, “What is that to us? See to that yourself!” 5 And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself. 6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the temple treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7 And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s Field as a burial place for strangers. 8 For this reason that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “AND THEY TOOK THE THIRTY PIECES OF SILVER, THE PRICE OF THE ONE WHOSE PRICE HAD BEEN SET by the sons of Israel; 10 AND THEY GAVE THEM FOR THE POTTER’S FIELD, AS THE LORD DIRECTED ME.”

The Teaching

For a number of hours, Jesus has been in custody while being questioned in the residence of Caiphas, the high priest. We know that the abuse of the Savior has already begun and it will intensify as the night wears on. Before His arrest, Jesus ate a last meal with His disciples, warned them of what was to come, sang a hymn with them, and then went to the garden where he prayed and waited for the arrival of Judas.

Recently, following the Lord’s arrival at the home of Caiphas, Peter has passed through the test appointed for him and he has failed. He was challenged regarding his knowledge of Jesus and on three occasions, as we all know, Peter denied knowing the Lord vehemently. As he was making his third denial and protest, a the rooster crowed and Peter remembered the prediction made by Jesus sometime before. Peter is now distraught and is wrestling with the implications of what he did. His many claims of loyalty have been erased and replaced with three acts of cowardice. He finds himself in a position where he cannot undo his deeds; there is no way for him to vindicate himself. It’s too late.

When the morning came, Matthew writes, the chief priests and elders were still conversing with one another regarding how to bring about the death of Jesus (cf. v. 1). They are still facing a few obstacles and must decide how to overcome those obstacles so that they might be rid of Jesus once and for all. They decide to enlist the help of a civil official, Pilate the governor. (v. 2) As I noted before, under Roman occupation, although the Jews were allowed to carry on most of their affairs as they pleased, they were not allowed to inflict capital on anyone. They would have to involve the Roman government, therefore, in order to get what they desired. Going to Pilate was the next logical step. Jesus is “delivered” to Pilate, therefore, as a criminal. It is likely that Pilate had little information about Jesus. His routine would not have involved him in the daily life of the Jews living in Palestine. Most of the information he has or receives, therefore, comes from the Savior’s enemies. The question Jesus soon receives from Pilate shows that the governor was, indeed, depending on the enemies of Christ for his information.

Before he continues reporting on the Lord’s experience before Pilate, Matthew’s focus returns to Judas. The last time we read about Judas, he was in the garden where he kissed the Savior and thereby signaled the men with him to seize Jesus. Now we learn that Judas has been pondering what he did and he is obviously bothered by his action. Here is Matthew’s description, once again: “Then when Judas, who betrayed Him, saw that He had been condemned, he felt remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders . . .” Let me stop there for a moment. Inevitably, the question arises regarding what, exactly, is meant by this statement. When we think of repentance, we think of a forsaking of previous conduct and a turning toward God with a determination to walk in holiness. Is that what Matthew means?

This question is answered quickly by looking at the word Matthew uses in this verse. The term he uses, which is translated “felt remorse” (metamellomai), is not the word used throughout the New Testament to describe true repentance. In Scripture, a distinction is made between sorrow and repentance. A man can be sorry for some action, but Biblically speaking, that doesn’t always amount to repentance. The word normally used when a writer wishes to describe the process by which an offender recognizes his sin, turns to God for forgiveness, and thereafter endeavors to walk in holiness is metanoia. That word refers to a change in thinking followed by a change in conduct.

There is a very helpful verse found in 2 Cor. 7:9. In the context, Paul is commending the Corinthians for receiving his prior exhortation about their lack of obedience. As he writes to them again, he is able to say: “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance . . .” The Corinthians were sorry, but Paul says they were more than sorry, so to speak. It was the change of mind, which resulted in different conduct, that caused Paul to rejoice. He had evidence of the Corinthians’ forsaking of their previous viewpoint in favor of one that led to correct behavior.

When we look at Judas, are we seeing repentance or simply overwhelming earthly sorrow? I think Matthew means to say that Judas felt deep regret, yes, and he was emotionally distraught. But had Matthew wanted to tell us that Judas truly repented before God and was determined to make repair, he would have used a different term; he would have used the term found throughout the New Testament. It is the term Matthew, himself, uses, as a matter of fact, in several other verses where he does mean to communicate a change in thinking followed by a determined advancement in the opposite direction. Judas was not faking sorrow, but his sorrow did not extend to seeking God’s forgiveness and attempting thereafter to live a life of honor before Him.

It is possible for a man to be extremely sorry for something he did, even to the point of an intense emotional manifestation, without having truly repented. The difference will come in the man’s behavior following his expression of sorrow. Therefore, Matthew is telling us what is obvious. Judas felt regret for what he did, but what we are reading is not an account of Biblical repentance. The rest of the passage makes that crystal clear. Judas began well with his sorrow, but he does not proceed to fall on his face before God asking forgiveness. He makes no attempt to undo what he did to Jesus. Judas is feeling intense self-pity because his conscience is troubling him. He knows what he did was wrong and he doesn’t like the way he now feels because he feels guilty.

Therefore, Judas tries to return the thirty pieces of silver given to him as payment for the betrayal (v. 3). Not long before this, Judas solicited a bribe from the scribes and elders in order to deliver Jesus to them. He made first contact with the enemies of the Lord and gladly received their payment. He then did what he was paid to do—all along thinking he was being sly and concealing his intentions, but being fully known to the One he aimed to betray.

When he brings the money back, Judas makes a confession: “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” (v 4) But then, when the chief priests and elders refused to take back the money, Judas threw the silver into the temple sanctuary and went away and hanged himself (v. 5). And there is an important distinction between what Judas did and what the Bible describes as repentance. I’m not saying, by the way, that a truly born-again person cannot commit suicide; I’m saying that the commission of suicide is not the result normally seen when a person repents, finds forgiveness from God, and begins the process of restoration. Suicide comes when a person sees no way out of a dilemma.

The lack of concern from the Jewish officials is astonishing. They had no interest in hearing from Judas once he provided what they wanted. They didn’t care if he now regretted what he did and had no desire to listen to his claims that Jesus was innocent. In yet another ironic act, these same officials were bothered by the fact that Judas threw their blood money into the temple treasury (v. 6). That was against their law. You’ll notice that in Matthew’s quote of the officials, they refer to the thirty pieces of silver as “the price of blood.” They were fully aware that they had paid a man to betray Jesus into their hands so they could kill Him. The officials decided to use the thirty pieces of silver to buy a plot of land and dedicate it as a burial place for strangers (v. 7). This refers to a provision made for fellow-Jews who might pass away while visiting Jerusalem. They would not have a plot of land, but would need to be buried quickly, according to the law.

The irony to which I refer is the fact that these men broke many laws in their efforts to capture Jesus, but they were unwilling to break a law, which by comparison, mattered very little, having to do with what was put into the temple treasury. Once again we see how their hatred for the Savior overwhelmed everything else—they were willing to act based on false testimony, they were willing to violate various laws, even those referring to what could be and could not be done on the eve of the Sabbath, and they were willing to involve others, namely the Romans, in their murderous plot. On top of that, they were willing to ignore the thing Jesus did, some of which were witnessed by them. I’ll say again, therefore, that all that mattered to the chief priests, scribes, and Pharisees was the death of Jesus Christ.

It appears that the circumstances surrounding the purchase of that burial land became known. Matthew says that the field “has been called the Field of Blood to this day.” (v. 8) Sometime after the incident, when Matthew was writing this Gospel, knowledge of how the officials were able to buy that property was common knowledge. This was a lasting testimony to the wickedness of the scribes, Pharisees, and elders; and it was an enduring testimony to the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.

Matthew adds one last item in his account of the end of Judas. He refers to a prophecy spoken long before this in which it was said that thirty pieces of silver would be the prices set by the sons of Israel. The prophecy even mentioned the purchase of the land formerly known as the potter’s field. (vv. 9, 10) This reminds us of one of the most intriguing aspects of the account of the Lord’s death. It was predicted because it was foreordained, yet no one involved is absolved of guilt for what they did to the Savior.

Application

What, if anything, is to be learned from the end of the life of Judas? He was a pathetic figure, a man provided with an opportunity shared by only eleven other men on earth, and yet he forsakes all that due to jealousy, greed perhaps, and maybe some grievance against Jesus. Judas will forever stand as the most disgusting traitor in all of history. His legacy offers nothing worthy of imitation. But there are lessons to be learned from this man, nevertheless.

Let’s consider the remorse felt by Judas. He was right to feel remorse because what he did was wicked. But that is where his example ceases to be positive. The actions of Judas are a classic example of worldly sorrow that leads to death, not true repentance that leads to restoration and life. If you learn anything from Judas, therefore, learn that your remorse for your sin must go beyond his example if you truly desire to repent. Simply saying you are sorry for your sin does not reveal true repentance. It is good, of course, to express sorrow, but there is more to be done. Remember the example of the Corinthians, which I cited. They were sorrowful, but went beyond being sorry. They actually changed their minds and that change of mind led to a change in behavior. And that is how Paul knew repentance had taken place.

You may have some issue of sin in your life right now. You have be wrestling it guilt. You may think that if you simply say you’re sorry, that will take care of everything. Don’t be fooled. Pray that God will enable you to repent, not just feel human sorrow. Pray that He will enable you to have a sense of your sin so that you understand the true nature of transgressing the will of God. And pray that God will allow you to know the peace of forgiveness, too. There is great comfort and joy in the knowledge of His pardon. And that pardon is required before you go forth to prove your change of heart by living for His glory and making repair.

Judas did none of that and that is why he died in unbelievable misery. That doesn’t have to happen to any of God’s people. And it doesn’t have to happen for one simple reason: We have a Savior who has given Himself for us and has also given us His Spirit. We are able to repent truly because our Savior delivered us from the bondage of sin and death. We are able to exhibit evidence of new life, which is essential when considering repentance, because He gave us new life. To repent is to demonstrate Christ alive in us. To repent is to give evidence that we are freed from the shackles of sin and have attached our allegiance to the Word of God.

As in all things, the gospel is our hope. There would be no movement of the Spirit within us so that we gained a sense of our sin and sought God’s forgiveness if Christ had not freed us, as I just noted, from the captivity of death. We would have no basis on which to ask forgiveness had Christ not paid our debt Himself. We certainly would have no reason to look forward to being restored in our relationship with God and those around us had Jesus Christ not saved us from the power of sin.

Every expression of repentance is a testimony to Christ and the gospel. Every word of confession to God is a tribute to our Savior. If you are burdened this day with your sin, you can be free and you can make things right. You must call upon God for help. You must ask Him to open your eyes to the true nature of your sin. You must ask His forgiveness and you must humble yourself before Him as you endeavor to walk in newness of life from this day forth. What has been corrupted by sin can be restored by grace. As long as we walk this earth where we are susceptible to moral lapses, that is the hope to which we cling.

Let’s pray…

Communion hymn

Conclusion

God has provided for us various spiritual helps so that we might receive aid during our time on the earth. One of those spiritual helps is this sacrament in which we have pictured the ministry of our Savior. We have bread, which stands for the body He gave in our place. That body was put on a cross and, in time, the life of that body was given up. We have wine, which stands for the blood of the Savior, blood that was shed on that same cross as sure evidence that a payment was made and the payment made was the death of Jesus Christ.

This sacrament is a help, therefore, because it reminds you of what Christ did and in reminding you of what Christ did, it also reminds you of your calling to be thankful, humble, and obedient. Our salvation allows us to live according to God’s will, rather than contrary to God’s will. As you receive these elements, you should experience the conviction of the Holy Spirit if there is sin in your life. Of course you should have conviction of sin when you are celebrating the act that delivered you from the power of sin! And you’re going to know conviction of sin since this sacrament is an occasion in which we commune with our risen Savior. He is here with us today. He makes genuine what this sacrament portrays.

Let this help be that to you in your walk before God. Be strengthened by the bread and the wine as you mediate on the work of Christ on your behalf. Be quick to make confession of sin as you contemplate what was done for you that you might be freed from sin’s control.

Matt. 26: 26 While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; 28 for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”