You might have noticed that there are differences in Scripture about Judas. The gospel of Matthew and Acts seem to differ.
Matthew 27:3-8 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day.
Acts 1;18-19 Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
The two versions of the story can be brought together.
First, Judas did hang himself. He hung himself in such a way that the rope or or a branch or something broke, his body fell, and his body burst open. This would happen if his body was left and had some element of decomposition. And it is possible if he hung himself on a steep hillside or cliff and his body fell some distance.
Second, the chief priest bought the field in Judas’ name. That would leave a needed paper trail in Judas’ name.
But… Someone might say that Luke writes, “this man acquired a field,” thus it appears Luke believes Judas himself (“this man”) bought the field. It does not need to be read that literally. The money Judas was paid, that he returned, that the Pharisee refused to accept back, was used by the Pharisees to buy the field. Matthew writes, “So they took counsel and bought with them the potter’s field.” The Pharisees bought the field with Judas’ money. It is safe to presume they would not use any of their names. And it makes sense they would put it in Judas’ name to clear their own names.
And… And more importantly, Luke keeps the blame on Judas. This section is about Judas and the need to replace him. Judas, on his own volition, betrayed Jesus, and to a degree he betrayed they trust and fidelity of the other eleven apostles. Judas committed the greater sin. For Luke, on this matter, all eyes are on Judas.
But… We should be humble whenever Judas is a topic. Every Christian has struggled with faithfulness and loyalty to Jesus. By God’s grace, not our virtue, we are Christians and remain Christians.
The Men's Bible Reading Idea 