Matthew the apostle wrote how a woman came to Jesus and poured out “perfumed ointment” upon His head whereupon His disciples wondered why this “waste” was made. Jesus corrected them and promised there would be a record of this woman's act of worship wherever the gospel is preached, and afterward, “one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests”. In chapter twenty-six and verse fifteen of his book, Matthew writes how Judas asked the chief priests, “what will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you?” where we read:
And said unto them, What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you?
And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
The verse reads, “And said unto them, What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you?” Matthew began with Jesus' words, “and said unto them” which means “and uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked the chief priests”, “what will you give me” or “what thing will the chief priests bestow upon, grant, supply and furnish to Judas”, “and I will deliver him” which means “and Judas would commit, commend and betray Jesus” “unto you” which refers to “the chief priests” . Matthew shared how Judas desired to know what the “chief priests” would give to him if he betrayed Jesus into their hands.
The verse goes on to say, “And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” Matthew continued with the words, “and they covenanted” which means “and the chief priests established, set or placed in a balance and contracted” “with him” or “with Judas” “for thirty pieces of silver” which means “for thirty drachma, shekels, silverlings or coins”. Matthew shared how the “chief priests” made a deal with Judas for the price of “thirty silver coins”.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Judas conspired behind Jesus' back to deliver Him to the “chief priests”. The “religious leaders” already met together to determine how they would capture Jesus deceitfully, and they desired to “kill” Him, and now, Judas was playing into their plan. Jesus knew these things, and He continued on a path to the cross because people needed to be “saved” from their “sins”. Jesus' betrayal by Judas was God's plan according to the prophesy of Zechariah where we read, “And I said unto them, If you think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prized at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.” (See Zechariah 11:12-13) God sent His son Jesus to die for the sins of the world, and those who study His word carefully learn that even this horrible betrayal of Jesus by Judas was pre-known and intended by God.
Next time Matthew shares about Judas, “from that time he sought opportunity to betray him”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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