ContradictionsReading order 80Bible context 2 min read
Did Judas return the silver or acquire a field with it?
Matthew's Judas repudiates the silver before his death; Acts connects his reward with acquiring a field. The priests' later purchase is needed to join the accounts.
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Judas returns the silver and the priests later use it
Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Matthew 27:3-8
Translation / edition: King James Version (KJV)
Read the full chapter:Matthew 27
Acts attributes acquisition with the reward to Judas
Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.