And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

MATTHEW 26:15KJV
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Matthew 26:15 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:15 mean?

Matthew 26:15 describes Judas Iscariot asking the chief priests what they would pay him to betray Jesus, and they agree to give him thirty pieces of silver. This verse shows the moment Judas makes a deal to hand Jesus over to the religious leaders who wanted to arrest him.

Judas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, is speaking directly to the chief priests in Jerusalem. The situation takes place just before Jesus’ arrest, with Judas actively seeking out the religious authorities and offering to deliver Jesus to them. The mention of “thirty pieces of silver” is significant, as it was a set price and echoes Old Testament references to the value of a slave, highlighting the gravity and betrayal involved in Judas’s action.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:15

  • παραδίδωμι (paradidōmi, G3860), translated “deliver”: This Greek word often means to hand over or betray, emphasizing Judas’s active role in turning Jesus over to his enemies, not just passively allowing it to happen.
  • ἔστησαν (estēsan, G2476), translated “covenanted”: The Greek here carries the sense of making a firm agreement or setting a fixed price, showing that this was a deliberate, formal arrangement rather than a casual offer.
  • τριάκοντα (triakonta, G5144) and ἀργύρια (argyria, G694), “thirty pieces of silver”: The Greek specifies both the number and the type of coins, underlining that this was a concrete, agreed-upon sum, not a vague bribe.

Why Matthew 26:15 matters

  • Matthew 26:15 clears up that Judas was not approached or pressured, but instead took the initiative to betray Jesus for money, highlighting the personal responsibility in his choice.
  • The verse connects to Old Testament passages, especially Zechariah 11:12-13, where thirty pieces of silver is mentioned, deepening the sense of fulfillment of prophecy and the symbolic value of the amount.
  • This verse sets in motion the events leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, making it a turning point in the narrative and showing the role of betrayal within Jesus’ closest circle.

Where else these words appear

“thirty” Greek G5144 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
  • Matthew 27:9 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;
  • Luke 3:23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being(as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

“silver” Greek G694 · used in 20 verses

  • Matthew 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
  • Matthew 28:12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
  • Luke 22:5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

“and” Greek G2504 · used in 68 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
  • 1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

“deliver” Greek G3860 · used in 118 verses

  • Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
  • Mark 14:10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
  • John 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.