Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 27:5

"And he cast down the pieces of silver into the sanctuary, and departed; and he went away and hanged himself." — Matthew 27:5 (ASV)

He cast down the pieces of silver in the temple—The Greek word for “temple” used here (as in Matthew 23:16, Matthew 26:61, and John 2:19) specifically denotes not the entire building, but the sanctuary, which only the priests could enter. It seems they had been standing and talking with Judas in front of the veil that screened it from the outer court, and he hurled the silver into the Holy Place.

Hanged himself—The word is the same as that used for Ahithophel in the Greek version of 2 Samuel 17:23, and it is a perfectly accurate translation. Comparing this brief account with Acts 1:18 presents some difficulties, which are best examined in the notes on that passage. In short, the horrors recorded there may have been caused by the self-murderer’s lack of skill, or by a trembling agony that prevented him from tying the noose firmly enough.