Matthew 27:5 - Exposition

He cast down the pieces of silver in the temple ( ἐν τᾷ ναῷ , in the sanctuary, or, as good manuscripts read, εἰς το Ì ν ναο ì ν , into the sanctuary ) . The priests were in the priests' court (which would be included in the term ναο ì ς ), separated by a stone partition from the court of the Gentiles. Into the latter area Judas had pressed; and, hurrying to the wall of division, he flung the cursed shekels with all his force into the inner place, as if to rescind the iniquitous contract and to cast away its pollution. He departed. He rushed away from the temple and the city into solitude, down into and across the valley of Hinnom, up the steep sides of the overhanging mountain—anywhere to escape human eyes, and, if it might be, to flee from himself. Vain endeavour! The memory of his useless crime haunts him; he has no hope in earth or heaven; life under this burden is no longer supportable. Went and hanged himself ( ἀπη ì γξατο , he strangled himself ; laqueo se suspendit, Vulgate) . He mounted some precipitous rock, and unwinding the girdle (for it was unnecessary to find and take a rope with him) which he wore, and in which he had doubtless carried the pieces of silver, fastened it round his neck, and securing it to some tree or projecting stone, flung himself from the height. The horrible result is told by St. Peter in his first address to the disciples ( Acts 1:1-26 :48), "Falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out . " This may have resulted from the breaking of the girdle. A fragment of Papias gives another explanation, recounting that he was crushed and disembowelled by a passing waggon. Thus Judas, the only man concerning whom the terrible expression is used, went "to his own place" ( Acts 1:25 ). he is the Ahithophel of the New Testament ( 2 Samuel 17:23 : Psalms 41:9 ; Psalms 55:12-14 ).