3
When Judas, who had betrayed him, realized that Jesus had been condemned to die, he was filled with remorse. So he took the thirty pieces of silver back to the leading priests and the elders.
4
“I have sinned,” he declared, “for I have betrayed an innocent man.” “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.”
5
Then Judas threw the silver coins down in the Temple and went out and hanged himself.
6
The leading priests picked up the coins. “It wouldn’t be right to put this money in the Temple treasury,” they said, “since it was payment for murder.” 1
7
After some discussion they finally decided to buy the potter’s field, and they made it into a cemetery for foreigners.
8
That is why the field is still called the Field of Blood.
9
This fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah that says, “They took 2 the thirty pieces of silver -
the price at which he was valued by the people of Israel,
10
and purchased the potter’s field,
as the Lord directed. 3 ”