For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: What did Judas do with the silver?
Here are the two answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:
He bought a field.
“Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out.” (Acts 1:18)
He threw it on the ground.
“And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple sanctuary and departed; and he went away and hanged himself.”” (Matthew 27:5)
(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)
Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:
- When dealing with skeptics’ claim of Bible contradictions it seems one can never be reminded enough of what exactly is a contradiction. A contradiction occurs when two or more claims conflict with one another so that they cannot simultaneously be true in the same sense and at the same time. To put it another way, a Bible contradiction exists when there are claims within the Bible that are mutually exclusive in the same sense and at the same time.
- It is important to know the context of both Acts 1:18 and Matthew 27:5.
- Acts 1:18 in the context of the chapter describes events after the resurrection and ascension of Christ but here in the immediate context the narrator looks back and recall what happen to Judas and why the early church had to appoint a new apostle in his place.
- Matthew 27:5 in the context of the chapter describes Judas’ regret of betraying Jesus. In the narrative Jesus has yet to be crucified. Judas’ regret led him to go to the priests and try to return the money to the priests.
- Did Judas throw down the pieces of silver? It is conclusive that he did from Matthew 27:5. The Greek verb for “threw” in the phrase “he threw the pieces of silver” is ῥίψας. ῥίψας is a Greek attendant participle from the Greek verb ῥίπτω which mean “thrown down, cast, throw off, toss, etc.” The active voice of the participle ῥίψας with Judas being the subject indicates that Judas was the one who threw down the pieces of silver. After throwing down the silver coins the rest of the verse mentioned that Judas departed.
- The question then would be how do we explain Acts 1:18 that on the surface suggests Judas brought a field instead. What follows below is a look at Acts 1:18 in the Greek.
- The Greek verb used in Acts 1:18 for “acquired” is ἐκτήσατο and comes from the root verb κτάομαι. The noun form of this verb is κτῆμα and basically means “possession.” While the verb has the idea of purchased, gain or obtained it does not necessarily mean a transaction of exchange of money.
- We see an example of a use of the verb κτάομαι in a non-monetary sense in 1 Thessalonians 4:4 where in the context Paul is talking about holiness and not pursuing sexual immorality. The verse states “that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.” Obviously the verb here in talking about “possess” it is not saying we should use money to obtain sanctification and honor.
- In light of this one should not see Acts 1:18 as telling us that Judas himself purchased the field with his silver coin. Instead it is simply telling us that Judas possessed the field in some capacity.
- From observing the verbs we can arrive at a synthesis that does not result in a contradiction. From the argument from our previous post, “Bible Contradiction? Who bought the potter’s field?” we established that it was the priests who purchased the field from the money Judas threw down. Yet in purchasing the field these priests made it a burial place for strangers according to Matthew 27:7. Judas who died who have been buried here and therefore he “possessed” the field. Of course if the priests brought the field for Judas that meant they had his money which Matthew 27:5 explained that the way they had the money was because Judas threw them down in the temple.
There is not a Bible contradiction here.
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Yup, good “part two” to the previous contradiction. I had wondered about this one myself.
Thank you. Glad you read it; I would say this was one of the harder Bible contradiction along with “part one.” Harder since it took going to the Greek to see there’s something more going on than some English translations alone would suggest. Thanks for reading this Tom. How has your week been brother?
My week has been going pretty well, Jim. Thanks. How are you doing? I know from your post that you are very busy, I replaced our sump pump a week ago and because of the awkward position I was forced to work in, I hurt my ribs, but they’re starting to feel better after a week. Ouch! Painful! But things like this are a blessing because they remind us we are but earthen vessels.
I am glad you are feeling better; I’m not really good with handy work and I always mange to hurt myself whenever I do plumbing, roofing, branch cutting, etc. I’m doing well but I have been anxious with finishing my seminary lectures and I’ve been having moments where I’m just brain drained. Again prayers are coveted!
Thanks and I will be praying!!!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks Vincent for the reblog, how are you doing?
You’re very welcome Pastor Jim and I am doing very well
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Reblogged this on . and commented:
I never thought about this enough to question it I guess, but the fact is that there is no contradiction unless the reader adds words that are not there!
Amen the contradiction is not there and the ones saying its a contradiction has to read into the text here
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Very thorough points
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[…] What did Judas do with the silver? […]
Why do skeptics always bring this up lol
It’s easier than that. Acts 1:18 says nothing of 30 pieces of silver.
Judas was “a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein”. John 12:6.
Money obtained by thievery is a “reward of iniquity”.
[…] What did Judas do with the silver? […]
The atheist got hammered here
Why does the atheist talk about contradiction when their worldview embraces contradiction readily and happily? From your blog: https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2018/07/06/skeptic-annotated-bible-authors-self-defeating-worldview/
[…] What did Judas do with the silver? […]
Sharing with my son
[…] What did Judas do with the silver? […]
Brilliant work and helps Christians today
The skeptics’ case for contradiction has the same quality truth as Jen Psaki’s White House brief
I’m glad I went through the comments and enjoyed a laugh reading this
I know Christians who asked this question too
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