Holy Week: What happened on Wednesday?

The tempo of Holy Week increased on Wednesday. The Bible records two important things that happened on Wednesday.

silver

Spy Wednesday

This is the day widely known as “Spy Wednesday.” It is the day when Judas Iscariot, a disciple turned betrayer agreed to show the chief priests where they could easily capture Jesus.

Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver which was the going rate for a slave at that time.

Jesus Is Anointed

Jesus relaxed that evening in Bethany where a woman anointed Him with expensive perfume from her alabaster box. This was a foreshadow of Jesus’ burial (Matthew 26:6-13).

Why Jesus was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver instead of another amount

Many know Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver. However, some people wonder why Jesus was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver instead of another amount.

When Judas Iscariot met the chief priests to see how much they would give him to betray Jesus, they offered him thirty pieces of silver.

“What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver.” (Matthew 26:15)

Why was Judas offered thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus?

First of all, Judas was offered thirty pieces of silver to fulfill Old Testament prophecy. This exact amount had already been prophesied centuries before Judas collected that amount for betraying Jesus.

“So they weighed out for my wages thirty pieces of silver.” (Zechariah 11:12)

Secondly, thirty pieces of silver was the cost of a slave at that time. It was just another way to humiliate Jesus.

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brother for twenty shekels because that was the going rate for a slave during his time.

Gomer, the prostitute, was sold back to her husband for only fifteen pieces of silver. Even though it was later than at the time of Joseph, her price was lower because she was a woman, and a female slave was not worth as much as a man.

Summary:

Joseph was sold for 20 shekels. (Genesis 37:28)

Gomer was sold for 15 pieces of silver. (Hosea 3:2)

Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:15)

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