Matthew 27:6

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 27:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.
Matthew 27:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And the chief priests took the pieces of silver, and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the chief priests took the silver pieces, etc.] Off of the ground, after Judas was gone, no other daring to meddle with them; for in any other it would have been deemed sacrilege; and they being the proper persons to take care and dispose of money brought into the temple: and if not, their covetous disposition would have moved them to take up the money: and said, one to another, it is not lawful to put them into the treasury, or “Corban”; as the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions leave the word untranslated: and which is the place where the offerings for the repair and service of the temple were put, and is the same into which Christ beheld the people casting their money, (<411241>Mark…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury--"the Corban," or chest containing the money dedicated to sacred purposes (see on Mat 15:5). because it is the price of blood--How scrupulous now! But those punctilious scruples made them unconsciously fulfil the Scripture.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is not lawful ... - It was forbidden Deuteronomy 23:18 to take what was esteemed as an abomination and to offer it to God. The price of blood - that is, of the life of a man - they justly considered as an improper and unlawful offering. The treasury - The “treasury” was kept in the court of the women. See plan of the temple, Matthew 21:12. It was composed of a number of small “chests” placed in different parts of the “courts” to receive the voluntary offerings of the people, as well as the half shekel required of every Jew. The original word rendered here as “treasury” contains the notion of an “offering to God.” What was given there was considered as an offering made to him. The price of…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“It is not: Mat 23:24; Luk 6:7-9; Joh 18:28 to put: Deu 23:18; Isa 61:8 because: The Jews considered it was strictly forbidden by the Divine law to bring any filthy or iniquitous gain into the temple. For this reason they now refused to allow this money to be placed in the chest in the temple, amongst the former contributions for its repairs. In this, they were right enough, but by the very act of refusing this money, they proved themselves to be gross perverters of the spirit of God's requirements. they saw not that it was much less lawful for them, who had hired Judas to this sordid action, to be employed in the service of the temple. Those that "bear the vessels of the Lord," ought to be…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification