Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 27:3

"Then 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," — Matthew 27:3 (ASV)

Verse 3 looks back to 26:14–16, 20–25. Judas’s “remorse” is not necessarily repentance. He recognizes not only that he is guilty of betrayal but that Jesus whom he has betrayed is “innocent.” The Jewish leaders’ callous response condemns them, for Judas’s comments should have meant something to them. He betrayed innocent blood; they condemned innocent blood.