The answer is: False

Matt 27:3 - They were silver coins

It’s fascinating that people sometimes confuse the details in biblical stories, which act like echoes of larger themes throughout the scriptures. In this case, Judas Iscariot is remembered not just for the act of betrayal, but for the exact amount he received for it. The betrayal for thirty pieces of silver is often used as a metaphor for valuable but misguided judgment—placing a price on one’s loyalty and ultimately, one’s conscience.

In the ancient world, thirty pieces of silver identified in Matthew 27:3-10 had significant connotations. They were likely chosen because they reflected a fine bartering price, even pointing back to laws in Scripture. For instance, Exodus 21:32 states that this was the amount for compensating losses caused by a goring ox – an interesting juxtaposition, signifying that Judas’s actions led to something far more catastrophic than mere monetary gain.

Not only the sheer ambition driven by money resonates, but it also speaks to deeper themes of temptation trouncing moral clarity. It’s said the mention of silver points to the cheapening of something sacred – like the betrayal of trust. The symbolism links back to different archetypes in biblical narratives, echoing the trials of others who faced costly, momentous decisions.

In a world where moral choices often shake us to the core, the story serves as an enduring reflection on loyalty, the price we place on principles, and the inevitable consequences of our choices. So as we dissect these stories, the textures of the lessons only grow richer and imprinted throughout our lives.