Hard passagesDraft · awaiting advisor review
How did Judas die? Matthew and Acts disagree.
In short
Matthew says Judas hanged himself and the priests bought a field with his money; Acts says he bought a field, fell headlong and burst open. The accounts can be read together: the field was bought with his money, and a body left hanging can fall. Christians differ on how far the accounts need to be harmonised.
The Objection
Matthew: Judas threw the money into the temple and hanged himself, and the priests bought a potter’s field. Acts: Judas himself bought a field, fell headlong and his body burst open. They can’t both be true.
Put as its strongest advocates would put it.
The Christian Case
- Scripture
Both accounts agree on the main points: Judas died soon after the betrayal, his money paid for a field, and the field was called the Field of Blood.
- Historical evidence
Saying someone “bought” what was bought with his money is an ordinary way of speaking; the priests could not keep blood money, so it was spent in his name.
- Philosophical argument
A man who hanged himself and was not taken down, especially at a festival, could fall when the rope or branch gave way. Christian readers have long read the two accounts together this way.
- Christians differ
Christians differ on whether every detail must be harmonised. Some think each writer reported the tradition he knew, with small differences, which is common in independent witnesses and doesn’t affect the Bible’s reliability in what it teaches.
Where the Evidence Is Weaker
The harmonisation is plausible but not provable; neither writer explains how the two events fit together.
Arguments to Avoid
- Insisting that anyone who finds this difficult lacks faith.
Read for Yourself
Matthew 27:3–10
3Then 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, 4Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. 5And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. 6And 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. 7And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. 8Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day. 9Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value; 10And gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord appointed me.
Acts 1:16–20
16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18Now 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. 19And 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. 20For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Further Reading
- Hard Sayings of the Bible · Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Peter H. Davids, F. F. Bruce and Manfred T. Brauch (1996)
Drafted with Opened AI and awaiting review by Opened’s apologetics advisors. Labels show the kind of support each point has: Scripture is what the Bible says; historical evidence and philosophical arguments can be checked by anyone; “Christians differ” marks questions on which faithful Christians disagree.
Next QuestionWas Luke wrong about the census under Quirinius?