Matthew 26:15

What will ye give? [τ ι θ ε λ ε τ ε μ ο ι δ ο υ ν α ι ?] Rather, What are ye willing to give me? It brings out the chaffering aspect of the transaction. So Rev.

They covenanted with him for [ε σ τ η σ α ν α υ τ ω]. But the meaning is, they weighed unto him; or, very literally, they placed for him (in the balance). Although coined shekels were in circulation, weighing appears to have been practiced, especially when considerable sums were paid out of the temple - treasury.

Thirty pieces of silver [τ ρ ι α κ ο ν τ α α ρ γ υ ρ ι α]. Matthew refers to Zechariah 11:12. These pieces were shekels of the sanctuary, of standard weight, and therefore heavier than the ordinary shekel. See on Matthew 17:24. Reckoning the Jerusalem shekel at seventy - two cents, the sum would be twenty - one dollars and sixty cents. This was the price which, by the Mosaic law, a man was condemned to pay if his ox should gore a servant (Exodus 21:32). Our Lord, the sacrifice for men, was paid for out of the temple - money, destined for the purchase of sacrifices. He who "took on him the firm of a servant" was sold at the legal price of a slave.