The agreement (Lk 22:5-22:5)

“The chief priests

And officers

Of the Temple police

Were very pleased.

They agreed

To give Judas money.”

καὶ ἐχάρησαν, καὶ συνέθεντο αὐτῷ ἀργύριον δοῦναι.

Luke said that the chief priests and the officers of the Temple police were very pleased (καὶ ἐχάρησαν) with Judas.  They agreed (καὶ συνέθεντο) to give Judas money (αὐτῷ ἀργύριον δοῦναι).  This is similar to Matthew, chapter 26:15, and Mark, chapter 14:11, but only Matthew mentioned the exact amount of money, 30 silver pieces.  Mark said that when the chief priests heard Judas (οἱ δὲ ἀκούσαντες), they were pleased, happy, and rejoiced (ἐχάρησαν).  They promised to give him money (καὶ ἐπηγγείλαντο αὐτῷ ἀργύριον δοῦναι), with no exact amount mentioned, as in Luke.  Matthew was more elaborate.  He said that Judas wanted to know what these chief priests were willing to give him (εἶπεν Τί θέλετέ μοι δοῦναι), if he betrayed or handed over Jesus to them (κἀγὼ ὑμῖν παραδώσω αὐτόν).  Matthew said that these chief priests paid him 30 pieces of silver (οἱ δὲ ἔστησαν αὐτῷ τριάκοντα ἀργύρια).  This Roman silver coin was worth about 4 denarii each, so that these silver pieces were worth about 120 denarii or about $180.00 US, not an unbelievable number, but still a substantial amount, since one denarius was equivalent to a day’s wages.  The agreement was complete.  Have you ever made a financial agreement?