Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:15

What does Matthew 26:15 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:15 means

Judas asks the chief priests what they will give him to deliver Jesus; they weigh out thirty pieces of silver. The transaction frames betrayal as commodified treachery: Jesus’ life set a price. Thirty pieces of silver harken to prophetic images (e.g., Zechariah) and symbolize a cheap valuation by religious leaders. Judas’ willingness to sell out reveals moral corruption and greed. The vivid detail of money being weighed shows the calculated nature of the betrayal and the complicity of the priests in arranging Jesus’ capture.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

What will you give me, if I give him up to you? And the price was fixed at thirty bits of silver.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him up to you?' and they weighed out to him thirty silverlings,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And said to them: What will you give me, and I will deliver him unto you? But they appointed him thirty pieces of silver.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him up to you? And they appointed to him thirty pieces of silver.

Context

This verse follows Judas’ approach to the priests and reveals the price and motive for his betrayal. It contrasts with the woman’s costly ointment: one gift honors Jesus, another money condemns him. The scene moves the plot forward from intent to practical scheme, providing the financial detail that links the betrayal to scriptural prophecy and underscores the tragedy of Judas’ choice.

v.14Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

v.15This passage

v.16And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him unto them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Judges 17:10

    And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten pieces of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals. So the Levite went in.

  • 1 Timothy 6:9

    But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.

  • Zechariah 11:12

    And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my hire; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my hire thirty pieces of silver.

  • 2 Peter 2:14

    having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstedfast souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of cursing;

  • Exodus 21:32

    If the ox gore a man-servant or a maid-servant, there shall be given unto their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

  • 1 Timothy 3:3

    no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;

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