Judas’ Regret — When Guilt Feels Too Heavy (Matthew 27:1-10)
In Matthew 27:1–10, we witness one of the saddest moments in the story of Jesus’ final hours. This part focuses on Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus. It shows us what happens when guilt becomes overwhelming—and reminds us of the importance of turning to God with our failures.
Let’s look at what happened.
Jesus Is Handed Over
Early in the morning, the religious leaders officially decide to send Jesus to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. The reason? They want Him to be sentenced to death—but they need Roman permission to make it happen.
So they tie Jesus up and lead Him away. It’s a clear sign: they’ve rejected Him completely.
Judas Regrets What He Did
Meanwhile, Judas, the one who had betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, realizes the full weight of what he’s done. When he sees that Jesus is being condemned to die, something hits him hard.
“He was seized with remorse.” (v. 3)
He goes back to the religious leaders and says,
“I have sinned… I have betrayed innocent blood.” (v. 4)
He tries to give the money back, hoping to undo the damage. But the leaders coldly respond:
“What is that to us? That’s your responsibility.”
Judas, crushed by guilt and without hope, throws the silver into the temple and leaves. Sadly, instead of seeking forgiveness from God, he takes his own life.
The Money Is Used for a Burial Ground
The leaders pick up the silver coins but decide they can’t put them back into the temple treasury—it’s “blood money,” they say.
So they use the money to buy a field to bury strangers in. That place becomes known as the Field of Blood. Matthew points out that this fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, showing that even this tragic part of the story fits into God’s bigger plan.
What We Learn from This
This passage is painful to read, but it teaches us a few important things:
-
Guilt is real, but there is a right way to deal with it. Judas knew he had done wrong—but instead of turning to God for mercy, he gave in to despair.
-
God’s forgiveness is always available. Even when we mess up, there’s hope if we go to Him. Peter also failed Jesus, but he was forgiven and restored.
-
Religious leaders missed the heart of God. They were more concerned about the money than the life of an innocent man.
Judas made a tragic mistake. But what hurt him most wasn’t just the betrayal—it was trying to carry the weight of his guilt alone.
Final Thought
We all fall short. We all make choices we regret. But the story of Judas reminds us how dangerous it can be when we hold onto guilt instead of running to God with it.
If you’re carrying something heavy from your past, you don’t have to carry it alone. Jesus came not only to take our sin—but also our shame.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
There’s always hope when we turn to Him.
Matthew 27:1-10 (WEB)
27:1 Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 They bound him, led him away, and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate, the governor.3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.”But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”5 He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. Then he went away and hanged himself.6 The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.” 7 They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called “The Field of Blood” to this day. 9 Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,“They took the thirty pieces of silver,the price of him upon whom a price had been set,whom some of the children of Israel priced,10 and they gave them for the potter’s field,as the Lord commanded me.”