BiAS 7 – The Bible and Politics in Africa
Zimbabwean politicians realised the important role that Judas played, it
would unite Zimbabwean people with the realization that, opposition
parties fulfill an important mission of instilling democracy, freedom of
association and expression. In fact the way the Judas narrative is por-
trayed makes readers and believers not to feel for Judas but only feel
more deeply the pain that Judas and the other disciples like Peter who
disowned Jesus, a sign of failure and betrayal.
The nature of Judas’ eventual death is also interesting as there are con-
flicting records about it. This also includes the ‘bloody money’ purported
to have been given to Judas. Luke’s version of Judas’ death is completely
different from Matthew’s, on the following: who bought the field and
whose blood lent its name? They only agree to the details about the Field
of Blood. For Luke, in Acts 1: 18-19:
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.’
In this case, it was Judas and not the Jewish authorities who used the
reward of iniquity to purchase the farm. He fell headlong possibly dur-
ing his time of inspecting the field. For Matthew, it was the chief priests
who thought of any idea of buying the Porter’s field as burial for strang-
ers (Mat 27:6-8). Matthew narrates that: “’But the chief priests, taking the
pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since
they are blood money.” So they took counsel, and bought with them the
potter's field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called
the Field of Blood to this day”’.^12 For Matthew, the chief priests also
carry the guilt that was committed by Judas as shown by their symbolical
acceptance of blood money.^13 The pieces of silver that Judas is purported
to have received plays an important role to seal the alleged intention by
Judas to sell Jesus. The thirty pieces of silver were important in the be-
trayal episode and also in sealing it. The purchasing of a field using the
same money by priests helps to taint their cruel image and that of the
broader Jewish family.^14 In this case, the chief priests are rendered guilty
by the return of the ‘blood money’ and not the purchase of the field.
(^12) Paffenroth, Judas, 11.
(^13) L Nortje, ‘Matthew’s Motive for the Composition of the Story of Judas’s Suicide in
Matthew 27: 1-10’, Neotestamentica 28, 1994, 41-51.
(^14) E Lohmeyer & W Schmauch, Das Evangelium des Matthäus, Göttingen: Vandenhoeck &
Ruprecht, 1958, 379.