Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot for 30 pieces of silver. What could 30 pieces of silver buy at the time of Christ? Thirty pieces of silver “shekels” during the time of Christ was the cost of purchasing a slave (Exodus 21: 32).
This shekel was equivalent to four denarii which was the basic coin. One denarius was a full day’s wages for a laborer or soldier. Better workers might receive two denarii. A laborer’s annual income could equal 200 to 300 denarii.
The basic cost of a sturdy pair of leather sandals equaled two days’ work or two denarii. Sandals were either single-soled or double-soled. Double-soled sandals could cost five to six denarii or more depending on the quality, time of completion, and added decorations.
A set of laborer’s clothes like the woolen tunic, sleeveless, constructed from two rectangular pieces sewn at the shoulders and sides, was worn with a leather belt or girdle to secure the garment for working. Colors were mostly bland, but sometimes red and yellow dyes were added with extra costs. Basic cost of a woolen tunic was three to twelve denarii depending on the quality of craftsmanship, quantity of time producing, and additional decorations.
A cloak or outer garment was often the apparel worn by the laborers of ordinary people and especially the poor. It was a large rectangular piece of wool or linen cloth, designed for wear and protection. It was basically “work clothes” and varied in cost by the material’s quality and tassels or fringes added on the corners. It was a person’s most valued possession of identification costing four to eight denarii or even more.
When Judas returned the money to the High Priest, the High Priest purchased a “Potters Field” with the money for “burying foreigners” (Matt. 27: 6-10). Was Judas Iscariot buried in the Potter’s Field or Field of Blood? Tradition says, Yes. The Bible does not say!
The Potter’s Field is identified today, as being located on the southern slope of the Hinnom Valley. It is situated near the junction of the Hinnom and Kidron Valleys, directly across from Mount Zion and the Old City walls in Jerusalem situated on a terrace where steep limestone cliffs drop into the valley.
When thinking of Judas Iscariot living in the Roman Empire at the time of Christ, think about his “love” for money and what he planned to do with 30 pieces of Roman silver or shekels (1 Tim. 6: 10). Like today as in our lives, life was hard and costly. We today, like then, have to make important financial decisions every day.
However, we need not feel sorry for Judas Iscariot. He reaped what he sowed
(Gal. 6: 7). Believing the Bible is true is imperative to making the right decisions about its authenticity, developing one’s proper relationship with the Heavenly Father and our future destination for living eternally.
Although times have changed drastically since 2000 years ago, people’s routine of daily life has changed little; we work long hard work hours at many job sites. There are many distractions to providing for our families. Taking time for God is often difficult to schedule. Remember God’s words, “Seek ye first “My Ways”; everything else will be added (Matt. 6: 33). Judas sought “his ways” first. He is today, eternally regretful of his choices (Matt. 7: 13-14) (Luke 16: 24) (Matt. 25: 30).
If we haven’t made our decisions for Christ, think about Judas! Even Judas would say as the rich man in Jesus’ parable living in Hell, ”Send someone to my brothers to warn them not to come to this eternal place of torments (Luke 16: 19-31. As the guardians of the Holy Grail in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade remarked,
“Choose wisely”! Eternity awaits!
Sower's Field by L. Michael Schoonover 