thirty pieces of silver

Cultural  

1. The money Judas Iscariot received for betraying Jesus to the authorities. He later threw the money into the Temple of Jerusalem (see also Jerusalem), and the chief priests bought the “potter's field” with it, to be used as a cemetery for foreigners.

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“Thirty pieces of silver” is also used proverbially to refer to anything paid or given for a treacherous act.

This money is referred to as “blood money” — money received for the life of another human being.

Example Sentences

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thirty pieces of silver

“Although I am rather hungry, and you have, after all, just sold a memento of my childhood for thirty pieces of silver, so to speak.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

He would have betrayed his Master; he would have taken the thirty pieces of silver; but then he would not have hanged himself—far from it.

From Memoirs of Life and Literature by Mallock, W. H. (William Hurrell)

“Yes, sold, your honour, for the thirty pieces of silver, like Joseph was sold into Egypt by his brethren.”

From Hansford: A Tale of Bacon's Rebellion by Tucker, St. George

Benedict Arnold suggested Judas Iscariot and the thirty pieces of silver given him, and therefore the value of the coin which he received as reward.

From A Man's Value to Society Studies in Self Culture and Character by Hillis, Newell Dwight

He knew Judas was going to sell Him for thirty pieces of silver.

From The Overcoming Life and Other Sermons by Moody, Dwight Lyman