Bible Questions Answered:
I see a great discrepancy between Peter's rendition of the accounts of Judas' death and the account given by Matthew. Peter says Judas fell down some ravine and his intestines burst out. Matthew claims that Judas hung himself.
Not only that, I see that Peter says that Judas bought the field “Aceldama,” while Matthew plainly states that the Chief Priests and Elders bought it.
Both of these cannot be correct, so we see biblical inaccuracy!
Ralph C. / Sheffield/Great Britain -UK
Acts 1;16-20 KJV
[16] Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
[17] For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.
[18] Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
[19] And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood.
[20] For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.
Matthew 27:1-8 KJV
[1] When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
[2] And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
[3] Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
[4] Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
[5] And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
[6] And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
[7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
[8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
Sir, your first mistake, was to dismiss the unerant Word of God.
II Timothy 3:15-17 KJV
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
II Peter 1:20,21 KJV
[20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Now having set the record straight, let us proceed to answer this seeming dilemma.
Aceldama, also called “Potters Field,” is situated on the east end on the Southern slope of the vallely of Hinnom. (Ref. Ungers Bible Dict.) Hinnom is a deep and narrow ravine, containing steep and rocky sides.
Matthews states that Judas hung himself, in this area. Tradition says that as he hung there the branch with which he was hanging from, broke, and his body fell down the ravine, his intestines gushing forth.
Scripture Correct.
Now as regarding who bought the field of Aceldama.
Judas bought it, Peter plainly says so.
Well, how could he have, he was dead, and he had given back the money to the Chief Priests and Elders?
Very simply we see the answer in Matthew's account.
[6] And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
[7] And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
[8] Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
The Chief Priests and Elders, full well knowing that the thirty pieces of silver was blood money...
Deuteronomy 23:18 KJV “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”
..could not accept it. What then did they do with the money?
In Judas' name they purchased “Aceldama-the Field of Blood-Potter's Field.”
And they did so in Judas' name. (His heirs could have rightfully claimed the land.)
Scripture Correct:
And so we see, that both Matthews account and Peter's account are truthful, unerant, the Word of the Living God.
Isaiah 40:8 KJV “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
