by Dorcas Kulwa | 1 November 2022 08:46 pm11
Shalom! Welcome to today’s Bible study.
Today, we’ll examine the sobering story of “the Field of Blood” also called Akeldama a location intimately connected to the betrayal of our Lord Jesus Christ by Judas Iscariot. Though seemingly just a piece of land, this field became a powerful symbol of sin, shame, and the consequences of turning away from God.
The term “Field of Blood” refers to a piece of land that was purchased with the thirty silver coins Judas Iscariot received for betraying Jesus. After realizing the gravity of his betrayal, Judas returned the money to the chief priests, who then used it to buy a potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. Because it was bought with “blood money,” the land became known as Akeldama, or the Field of Blood.
Matthew 27:3–8 (NKJV)
Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.”
And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!”
Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.
But the chief priests took the silver pieces and said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, because they are the price of blood.”
And they consulted together 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.
Although Judas did not directly buy the land, the money used was his. By Jewish legal and cultural standards, the property was associated with him, and thus became a permanent memorial of his betrayal.
The purchase of the Field of Blood wasn’t just an incidental event it was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, showing God’s sovereign knowledge of human actions long before they happen.
Zechariah 11:12–13 (NKJV)
Then I said to them, “If it is agreeable to you, give me my wages; and if not, refrain.” So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.
And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter” that princely price they set on Me. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord for the potter.
This was precisely fulfilled when Judas threw the silver into the temple, and the priests bought the potter’s field with it. Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, links this action directly to prophecy:
Matthew 27:9–10 (NKJV)
Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the value of Him who was priced, whom they of the children of Israel priced, and gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.”
(Note: Although Matthew attributes the prophecy to Jeremiah, scholars agree it’s a composite prophecy drawing from both Jeremiah 19 and Zechariah 11.)
Judas’ tragic end is a stark warning. He was chosen as a disciple, part of Jesus’ inner circle, and entrusted with responsibilities (John 12:6). Yet, despite his proximity to Christ, his heart remained far. His remorse led not to repentance and forgiveness, but to despair and suicide.
Acts 1:18–19 (NKJV)
(Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
This passage in Acts emphasizes that sin may be hidden temporarily, but God brings it to light. Judas’ death and the field became a public testimony of judgment and shame.
Judas betrayed Jesus in private, but the Field of Blood declared his guilt to generations. Similarly, King David tried to cover his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), but God sent the prophet Nathan to expose it (2 Samuel 12:7–9). No matter how well-hidden, sin always finds a voice.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 (NKJV)
For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
B. Ill-Gotten Wealth Is Cursed
Money obtained through injustice or unrighteousness whether through bribery, exploitation, or betrayal ultimately brings shame, not blessing.
Proverbs 10:2 (NKJV)
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.
We see this principle echoed in Judas’ field. Though meant to serve a noble purpose (burying strangers), its origin gave it a dark reputation.
Judas traded the Savior for thirty pieces of silver a temporary, worldly gain that cost him his soul.
Mark 8:36–37 (NKJV)
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
We, too, can betray Christ in subtle ways compromising truth for career advancement, relationships, or material gain. But no gain is worth our eternal soul.
Judas felt remorse, but he did not seek restoration from Christ. Peter also sinned by denying Jesus but repented and was restored (John 21:15–17). Judas isolated himself in shame; Peter ran to Jesus in brokenness.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NKJV)
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
The story of Akeldama warns us that our choices carry consequences some that echo even after we’re gone. Let us live with integrity, honor God in secret and in public, and never trade His presence for fleeting gain.
May the Lord Jesus help us to walk in humility and wisdom.
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!
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