Judas takes the definitive step towards betrayal. The contrast is painful: right after the loving anointing in Bethany (Part 8) follows the cold, businesslike nature of Judas asking 'What will ye give me?'. Thirty pieces of silver was the price of a slave at that time, which underscores the deep humiliation of Jesus.
Judas' Betrayal
Da ging hin der Zwölfen einer
Recitative
•Evangelist, Judas
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No. 7part_08
Evangelist
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them:
Judas
What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?
Evangelist
And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
German
English
Evangelist
Da ging hin der Zwölfen einer, mit Namen Judas Ischariot, zu den Hohenpriestern und sprach:
Evangelist
Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them:
Judas
Was wollt ihr mir geben? Ich will ihn euch verraten.
Judas
What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you?
Evangelist
Und sie wogen ihm dreißig Silberlinge dar. Und von dem an suchte er Gelegenheit, dass er ihn verriete.
Evangelist
And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.
Modern adaptation
Judas goes to the enemy and simply asks: 'What's in it for me if I hand him over to you?' The deal is closed for thirty silver coins.