Matthew 27:7

7 And when they had taken counsel, they bought with it a field of a potter [they bought with them the field of a potter], into [the] burying of pilgrims.

Matthew 27:7 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 27:7

And they took counsel
With one another, considered of the matter, and deliberated about it a while; and at last came to a resolution,

and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in:
a field of no great value, or it could not have been bought so near Jerusalem for so small a sum as thirty pieces of silver. Grotius's conjecture seems to be a good one, that it was a field the potter had dug up for his use, and had made the most of it; so that it was good for nothing, but for the purpose for which these men bought it, "to bury strangers in": either such as were not of their own nation, as the Roman soldiers, many of which were among them, and who they did not suffer to be buried among them; or proselytes, or such as came from distant parts, at their three festivals, many of whom may be supposed to die at such times: now by this act of humanity in providing for the interment of strangers, they designed, and hoped to have covered their wickedness in bargaining with Judas to betray innocent blood, for this sure of money; but it was so ordered by divine providence, that this became a public and lasting memorial of their sin and infamy: for it follows,

Matthew 27:7 In-Context

5 And when he had cast forth the [pieces of] silver in the temple, he passed forth, and went, and hanged himself with a snare.

6 And the princes of priests took the [pieces of] silver, and said, It is not leaveful to put it into the treasury [It is not leaveful to send them into the treasury], for it is the price of blood.

7 And when they had taken counsel, they bought with it a field of a potter [they bought with them the field of a potter], into [the] burying of pilgrims.

8 Therefore that field is called Aceldama, that is, a field of blood, into this day.

9 Then that was fulfilled, that was said by the prophet Jeremy [that thing that was said by the prophet Jeremy], saying, And they have taken thirty pieces [of silver], the price of a man praised, whom they praised of the children of Israel;