Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 27:4

"saying, I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou [to it]." — Matthew 27:4 (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.