The value of Jesus' Life in Human Hand, just 30 pieces of Silver Coin

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Lenten Season: Holy Week : Wednesday*

*Gospel : Mt 26:14-25*

*First Reading : Is 50:4-9a*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 69:8-10, 21-22, 31 and 33-34*

*The value of Jesus' Life in Human Hand, just 30 pieces of Silver Coin*

*1) Fulfillment of Prophecy* 

The amount—thirty pieces of silver—directly fulfills a prophecy in Zechariah 11:12-13:

*"So they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, 'Throw it to the potter'—the handsome price at which they valued me!"*

In Zechariah, the prophet is acting as a shepherd rejected by the people, a clear foreshadowing of Christ. 

The sarcastic tone— *"the handsome price"*—indicates how little they valued him. 

When Judas later regrets his betrayal and throws the silver into the temple (Matthew 27:3-10), the money is used to buy the potter’s field, directly connecting Jesus to Zechariah’s prophecy.

*2) Symbol of Human Value and Betrayal*

In Exodus 21:32, thirty pieces of silver is the compensation for a slave who is gored by an ox:

*"If the ox gores a male or female slave, the owner must pay thirty shekels of silver..."*

This reinforces the insult in valuing Jesus—the Son of God—at the price of a slave.

It shows how humanity, in its sinfulness, places little worth on holiness, love, and truth when it threatens our comfort or power

*3) Human Greed vs. Divine Mercy*

Judas’s action reflects how greed, disappointment, and spiritual blindness can distort judgment. 

The betrayal shows the depth of human sin—that someone could walk with Jesus, witness His miracles and love, and still hand Him over for a small sum. 

Yet in contrast, Jesus responds not with vengeance, but with mercy—He allows Himself to be betrayed to fulfill the divine plan of salvation.

*4) The Price of Redemption*

Paradoxically, while Jesus was sold for silver, His blood purchased our salvation:

*“You were bought with a price”* (1 Corinthians 6:20).

*“…you were redeemed…not with perishable things such as silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ”* (1 Peter 1:18-19).

So the betrayal money becomes a dark mirror of a deeper truth—Jesus allowed Himself to be sold so He could buy us back from sin and death

*5) Final Thought*

The 30 pieces of silver are a tragic symbol: of betrayal, undervaluing the sacred, and the brokenness of human choices. 

Yet, even in this, God’s redemptive plan shines through. What was meant for evil, God used for the greatest good—the salvation of the world.

*6) What is My Value*

Have I sold myself to the worldly value or have I preserved my divine identity for the Eternal life 

What is the value of my life from the perspective of eternal life 

How much people value me? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*