He sold out his friends for thirty pieces of silver.
thirty pieces of silver
idiomA contemptible price paid or accepted for an act of betrayal.
Origin
The phrase comes from the betrayal of Jesus. In Matthew 26:15, Judas Iscariot agrees to hand over Jesus to the authorities, and they "covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver." Overcome with remorse, Judas later throws the money back into the temple.
The Gospel writer frames the sum as an echo of Zechariah 11:12, where thirty pieces of silver appears as the paltry wage weighed out for a shepherd — a figure deliberately meant to insult. The number carries that scorn: it is not a fortune but a pittance, the low value put on something priceless.
That double charge — money and betrayal, at a shameful rate — is what English preserved. Thirty pieces of silver names any grubby payment taken to betray a person, a cause, or a principle, with the implicit judgement that the traitor sold out cheap.
Critics said the senator had taken his thirty pieces of silver and voted against everything he once believed.
The whistleblower refused a settlement she called thirty pieces of silver, unwilling to trade her colleagues' safety for a cheque and a non-disclosure agreement.
The betrayal, trial and crucifixion.
- 01
wash your hands of it (idiom)
To publicly refuse any further responsibility for something or someone.
- 02
doubting Thomas (idiom)
One who requires proof before believing.
- 03
a cross to bear (idiom)
A heavy, ongoing personal burden or difficulty that one must carry.
- 04
a Judas kiss (idiom)
An act of betrayal disguised as friendship or affection.
- 05
a crown of thorns (idiom)
An honour or position that brings suffering rather than glory.
- 06
give up the ghost (idiom)
To cease clinging to life; to die.