Devine Scripture

Matthew 27:4

What does Matthew 27:4 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 27:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 27:4 means

Judas confesses to the chief priests and elders that he has sinned by betraying innocent blood. He recognizes Jesus’ innocence, calling the act a sin. But the leaders dismiss his conscience, answering that it’s none of their concern and telling him to handle it himself. Their reply reveals not only a refusal to repent but also an evasion of responsibility. They remain determined to carry out their plan; conscience is ignored. Their callousness contrasts sharply with Judas’ anguished confession.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to it.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Saying, I have done wrong in giving into your hands an upright man. But they said, What is that to us? it is your business.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`I did sin, having delivered up innocent blood;' and they said, `What--to us? thou shalt see!'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Saying: I have sinned in betraying innocent blood. But they said: What is that to us? Look thou to it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

saying, I have sinned [in] having delivered up guiltless blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou [to that].

Context

This exchange comes immediately after Judas returns the money (verse 3). It deepens the moral contrast between the remorseful betrayer and the unrepentant religious rulers. Their brusque response prefigures their willingness to put Jesus to death and illustrates the spiritual blindness surrounding him as the trial proceeds to Pilate.

v.3Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,

v.4This passage

v.5And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.

Cross references

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

  • Luke 23:47

    And when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

  • Genesis 42:21

    And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

  • Hebrews 7:26

    For such a high priest became us, holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

  • Luke 23:22

    And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath this man done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him and release him.

  • 1 Samuel 28:16

    And Samuel said, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing Jehovah is departed from thee, and is become thine adversary?

  • Matthew 27:23

    And he said, Why, what evil hath he done? But they cried out exceedingly, saying, Let him be crucified.

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