Mat 26:15 | MHM | STEP | v. 15 : Judas went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” (Matthew 26:15 ). The priests did not approach Judas; he went to them. Sometimes, people who seem to follow Jesus can be worse than anyone expects, and only need a chance to show it. Judas promised to help the priests arrest Jesus quietly, away from the crowds. The priests wanted to arrest Jesus but were afraid of causing a riot (Matthew 26:4-5 ). Judas’ offer solved their problem. This shows that people who pretend to be religious can do the most harm if their hearts are not right with God. If Judas had not been an apostle, he could not have betrayed Jesus in this way. Judas did not offer to be a witness against Jesus, even though the priests needed evidence (Matthew 26:59 ). If there had been anything wrong with Jesus, Judas would have known, but he could not accuse Jesus of any crime. This shows that Jesus was innocent, even His betrayer could not find fault with Him. Judas asked, “What will you give me?” He betrayed Jesus only for money. Jesus had never treated Judas badly. In fact, Judas was trusted with the group’s money, even though he was a thief (John 12:6 ). Judas did not betray Jesus because he hated Him, but because he loved money. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and it can even lead people to turn away from Jesus, as happened with Demas (2 Timothy 4:10 ). Satan tempted Jesus with riches (Matthew 4:9 ), but Judas tempted himself by asking for money, as if Jesus was something to be sold. Judas was not lacking anything. He had food, clothing, and was welcomed wherever Jesus went. He had just been honored at a supper in Bethany. Still, he was not satisfied and asked the priests, “What will you give me?” This shows that it is not the lack of money, but the love of money, that leads people to do evil. The chief priests agreed to pay Judas thirty pieces of silver. This was the price of a slave according to the law (Exodus 21:32 ), and it shows how little they valued Jesus (Zechariah 11:13 ). Judas accepted the first offer, showing he was not used to getting much. The priests paid him right away to secure his promise.

‏ Matthew 26:15

v. 15: Judas went to the chief priests and asked, “What will you give me if I deliver him to you?” (Matthew 26:15 ^a). The priests did not approach Judas; he went to them. Sometimes, people who seem to follow Jesus can be worse than anyone expects, and only need a chance to show it. Judas promised to help the priests arrest Jesus quietly, away from the crowds. The priests wanted to arrest Jesus but were afraid of causing a riot (Matthew 26:4-5 ^b). Judas’ offer solved their problem. This shows that people who pretend to be religious can do the most harm if their hearts are not right with God. If Judas had not been an apostle, he could not have betrayed Jesus in this way.

Judas did not offer to be a witness against Jesus, even though the priests needed evidence (Matthew 26:59 ^c). If there had been anything wrong with Jesus, Judas would have known, but he could not accuse Jesus of any crime. This shows that Jesus was innocent, even His betrayer could not find fault with Him.

Judas asked, “What will you give me?” He betrayed Jesus only for money. Jesus had never treated Judas badly. In fact, Judas was trusted with the group’s money, even though he was a thief (John 12:6 ^d). Judas did not betray Jesus because he hated Him, but because he loved money. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and it can even lead people to turn away from Jesus, as happened with Demas (2 Timothy 4:10 ^e). Satan tempted Jesus with riches (Matthew 4:9 ^f), but Judas tempted himself by asking for money, as if Jesus was something to be sold.

Judas was not lacking anything. He had food, clothing, and was welcomed wherever Jesus went. He had just been honored at a supper in Bethany. Still, he was not satisfied and asked the priests, “What will you give me?” This shows that it is not the lack of money, but the love of money, that leads people to do evil.

The chief priests agreed to pay Judas thirty pieces of silver. This was the price of a slave according to the law (Exodus 21:32 ^g), and it shows how little they valued Jesus (Zechariah 11:13 ^h). Judas accepted the first offer, showing he was not used to getting much. The priests paid him right away to secure his promise.