New Testament · Gospel

Matthew 26:15

The Last Supper

and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:15 · Berean Standard Bible
What It Means

Matthew 26:15, in plain English

Judas asks what they will give him to hand Jesus over, and they count out thirty pieces of silver — a painfully small amount.

Why it's here

Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave in the Old Testament. The Son of God is being traded for almost nothing.

Who's speaking

Judas bargains with the priests, reducing the most valuable life in history to a transaction.

Where it sits in the story

It is one of the saddest deals in history. After years of walking with Jesus, Judas puts a price tag on His life — and it is the price of a slave.

A Closer Look

The scholar's commentary

Judas negotiates a price for betrayal, receiving thirty silver pieces (triakonta argyria) — a sum that deliberately echoes the slave valuation in Exodus 21:32 and Zechariah 11:12.

Language and setting

Thirty pieces of silver was the compensation for a gored slave under Mosaic law. The amount underscores the tragic irony: the Messiah is valued at the price of a slave.

Voice

Judas speaks to the chief priests, and they settle on the payment.

Significance

The price of betrayal is fixed — thirty silver coins, the cost of a slave. The Son of God is sold for pocket change by someone who shared His table.

In context

Matthew 26:13–17

13Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

14Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests

15and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver.

16So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

17On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

Read all of Matthew 26 — Bread broken. Wine poured. A betrayal predicted. The longest night in history begins around a table.

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