Akeldama is mentioned only once in the Bible, in Acts 1:18-19, which says:
“Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.”
This refers to Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. After Jesus was condemned to death, Judas was filled with remorse and returned the money to the chief priests and elders who had paid him, saying “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They replied, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” (Matthew 27:3-4). Judas then went away and hanged himself (Matthew 27:5).
The book of Acts gives some additional details about Judas’s death. It says he acquired a field with the money he was paid for betraying Jesus, but the Greek word can also mean “obtain by lot” or “receive as a possession.” Judas may have been in the process of purchasing the field when he died. The field itself was located on a steep hillside, and when Judas hanged himself on or near that spot, he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, spilling out his internal organs.
The field then became known as Akeldama, an Aramaic word meaning “field of blood.” This was likely because it was purchased with blood money (the payment for betraying innocent blood) and also because it was the scene of Judas’s gruesome death.
There are a few important things to note about the account of Akeldama:
1. It fulfilled Old Testament prophecy. Zechariah 11:12-13 prophecied that 30 pieces of silver would be weighed out as payment for the Lord, and then thrown to the potter in the house of the Lord. This is exactly what happened with Judas being paid 30 silver coins to betray Jesus, and the money later being used to buy a field from a potter.
2. It showed the wretched ending of Judas. By taking his own life, Judas did not properly repent of his sin. His graphic demise and the purchase of the Field of Blood with his blood money illustrated just how far he had fallen.
3. It provided a burial place for strangers. In Matthew 27:7 the chief priests decided to use the money Judas returned to them to purchase “the potter’s field as a burial place for strangers.” Akeldama then became a cemetery for poor foreigners who died while staying in Jerusalem. This unwittingly fulfilled prophecy (Zechariah 11:13b).
4. It served as a reminder of Jesus’ innocence. The Field of Blood testified that Jesus’ blood had been innocently betrayed and shed. The Field called to remembrance Judas’ wicked deed and the fact that Jesus was blameless, although condemned to die.
5. It reminded readers of the wages of sin. Judas serves as an example of the destructive power of sin and greed. He was a disciple who had every opportunity to walk with Jesus, but he betrayed the Lord for mere money. His life ended in disgrace, suicide, and an unmarked grave in the Field of Blood he had purchased with his ill-gotten gain.
In summary, though Akeldama is mentioned only briefly in Scripture, it carries great symbolic significance. This field purchased with Judas’ blood money serves as a lasting memorial to the betrayal of innocent blood. It calls readers to remember the high cost of sin and the destructiveness of greed. Akeldama stands as a warning and reminder that the wages of sin lead only to death (Romans 6:23). Though his sinful deed contributed to the redemptive plan of God, the wicked Apostle met a miserable end as the treasure he sold his soul for led only to a Field of Blood.
The Location and History of Akeldama
The exact location of the Field of Blood described in Acts 1 is uncertain. There are several sites in and around Jerusalem which have been proposed as the biblical Akeldama:
– The Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna): This ravine just south of Jerusalem’s walls was said to have been purchased by the priests with Judas’ money. It was a notorious site of idol worship and child sacrifice. Jesus used it as a metaphor for hell. This would fit the Field of Blood’s association with death and judgment.
– Area near the Mount of Olives: Some scholars think Akeldama could have been on the steep eastern slope of the Mount of Olives where tombs dating to the first century have been discovered. This would match the detail in Acts about Judas falling headlong while hanging himself on the field.
– Historical “Field of Blood” near Siloam Pool: This parcel of land was owned by the Kedron Valley Monastery. Since the Middle Ages they claimed it was the authentic site of Akeldama. They pointed to an ancient burial cave as Judas’ tomb. However, the topography does not fit Luke’s account well.
– The Potter’s Field: This cemetery for strangers lies south of an ancient potter’s shop. Some of the field was owned by the Kedron Valley monks. It is adjacent to the Siloam Pool. This is a likely candidate that fits details about the priests purchasing land from a potter to bury foreigners.
Though the exact location is uncertain, archaeologists have uncovered several ancient tombs and burial caves around Jerusalem dating to the right time period that may have been associated with Akeldama. Beginning in the Middle Ages, the Field of Blood was believed to be near the Siloam Pool.
The land’s use as a Potter’s Field cemetery for strangers and the poor continued for centuries after the time of Christ. It was used not just by Jews but also Romans, Crusaders, Muslims, and Christians of various groups over the ages.
The history of Akeldama reflects Jerusalem’s long legacy of religious strife and conquest by different empires. Each new ruler allowed this Field of Blood to remain a burial place for those on the margins of society. Likely many enemies, slaves, criminals, and foreign unbelievers were buried at Akeldama through the centuries, making it an apt location for such a name and history.
The Imagery and Symbolism of Akeldama
Though it plays a small role in the biblical narrative, Akeldama is packed with imagery and symbolism that enrich the stories of Judas and Jesus:
– Blood money: The coins Judas was paid to betray Jesus were tainted with blood. The innocent blood of the Messiah was betrayed for mere money. This “price of blood” (Matthew 27:6) carried a terrible curse.
– Field of blood: The name Akeldama linked the land with bloodshed, treachery, and violence. Judas met a bloody end there after dealing in blood money. It was a field marked by the shed blood of Jesus.
– Judas’ death: His graphic demise by bursting open illustrated divine judgment on his wickedness. The Field of Blood was a testimony to the wages of sin being death (Romans 6:23).
– Burial place for strangers: As a cemetery for foreigners, it reflected Jesus’ death bringing salvation to the Gentiles and outcasts that Jews would avoid.
– Fulfilled prophecy: Akeldama unwittingly fulfilled Zechariah’s Messianic prophecy. Details like the 30 coins and the potter’s field reveal God’s sovereignty even over evil deeds.
– Contrast with Judas: The greedy traitor died alone with his ill-gotten wealth. But Jesus, though betrayed for money, was buried in a rich man’s tomb (Matthew 27:57-60). An unmarked field vs. an honored grave.
– Testimony to Jesus’ innocence: The Field of Blood was a perpetual reminder that Jesus shed his blood innocently at the hands of wicked men.
So though Akeldama is just an obscure field, it resounds with echoes of biblical themes like greed, innocence, judgment, prophecy, and the power of sin leading to death. This small detail amplifies the gospel message.
Lessons Christians Can Learn from Akeldama
What practical lessons and applications can modern Christians take away from the account of Akeldama? Here are a few spiritual insights the Field of Blood offers us today:
1. The danger of greed – Judas was consumed with greed to the point of betraying Christ. The love of money still leads many people to sin today. Judas is a warning to avoid greed.
2. Costliness of sin – Judas’ bloody demise illustrates the terrible cost of sin. Likewise, sin always has a high price that must be paid, often with brokenness. Akeldama reminds us not to play around with sin.
3. Guard your heart – Though he walked closely with Jesus, Judas betrayed him. He allowed greed into his heart. Believers today must guard their hearts so that no sin takes root.
4. Value Christ above all – Judas sacrificed Christ for mere money. But nothing is worth more than Jesus. Akeldama challenges us to value a relationship with Christ above all else.
5. Seek proper repentance – Judas was filled with worldly sorrow that led to his death. Godly repentance would have brought life. The Field of Blood urges us to repent properly by turning from sin to Christ.
6. Christ’s innocence – As a testimony to Jesus’ blamelessness, Akeldama reminds us that Jesus was perfect and shed his blood for us willingly. We find hope in his innocence.
7. God’s sovereignty – Even Judas’ wicked schemes fulfilled God’s prophecies about the Messiah’s death. Akeldama shows God is sovereign even amidst sin and betrayal.
In summary, Akeldama provides lessons for believers about greed, repentance, God’s sovereignty, guarding the heart, Christ’s worth and innocence, and the cost of sin. May we all learn from the tragic account of the Field of Blood.
Akeldama in Literature and Art
Though it plays a small role in Scripture, Akeldama has inspired many creative works that have amplified and interpreted this biblical site of betrayal, death, and judgment:
– Medieval mystery plays – These dramas about Judas’s betrayal often climaxed with his graphic suicide at Akeldama and tied it to their warnings about the wages of sin.
– Classical paintings – Artists like Duccio and Titian portrayed Judas’ death in vivid colors, with the Field of Blood showing God’s judgment.
– Oratorios like Bach’s St. Matthew Passion – These musical settings of Jesus’ death movingly evoke Judas’ sorrow and suicide at the Field of Blood he purchased.
– Gothic novels like Huysmans’ Là-Bas – In this 19th century French occult novel, the main character is possessed by Judas and powerfully haunted by visions of his gruesome end at Akeldama.
– Historical fiction novels – Books like Bodie and Brock Thoene’s AD 30 imagine the bleak Potter’s Field of Akeldama as dark testament to the religious leaders’ corruption and complicity in Jesus’ death.
– Contemporary pop culture – Movies like The Passion of the Christ dramatically depict Judas’ death at the Field of Blood, linking it to sin, guilt, and alienation from God.
– Tissot’s famous 1880 paintings of the life of Christ – Tissot painted Judas’ suicide at Akeldama in vivid detail, showing the wages of his sin leading to eternal separation from the light of Christ.
From medieval theater to novels, oratorios, and fine art, Akeldama has proven a vivid symbol of alienation from God, despair, divine judgment on sin, and the spiritual forces of evil. As a legendary site tied to Judas’ appalling demise, it continues to haunt creative works about Christ’s passion. The Field of Blood remains an artistic subject that explores the terrible fruits of sin, betrayal, and greed.
Theological Controversies about Akeldama and Judas
The biblical account of Akeldama has also factored into various theological debates over the centuries:
– Whether Judas went to hell – Since he committed suicide at Akeldama, some argue this proves Judas is in hell. But others say we cannot limit God’s mercy or Christ’s redemptive work even for Judas. The site does not necessarily prove eternal judgment.
– If Judas was destined to betray Jesus – Some scholars see Judas as a tool of God’s sovereign plan, destined to buy the Field of Blood. Others argue God only foresaw Judas’ treachery but did not cause it or remove Judas’ free will.
– Whether Judas was ever saved – Since he was called as a disciple yet betrayed Christ, debate continues on if Judas had genuine but temporary faith or if he was motivated only by greed from the beginning.
– Should Judas be vilified? – Recognizing that Judas played a necessary historic role in redemption, some argue we should have sympathy for him instead of outright condemnation. But his betrayal of innocence was still evil.
– The morality of suicide – Because the Bible does not explicitly condemn Judas’ suicide at Akeldama, some argue suicide is permissible under despair. But most scholars respond that Scripture forbids murder including self-murder.
So the tragic end of Judas at the Field of Blood has prompted debate about free will, predestination, damnation, and the unforgivable sin. This small detail in Acts 1 has become a theological conversation-starter for those wrestling with sin, judgment, and redemption.
Conclusion
While Akeldama itself appears only briefly in Scripture, it carries great theological and symbolic significance that has enriched our understanding of Christ’s passion and God’s redemptive plan. As the field bought with Judas’ blood money, it powerfully represents the wages of sin, the futility of greed, the innocence of Christ, and the sovereignty of God amidst evil. Throughout history, Akeldama has imprinted the popular imagination as an ominous epitaph of treachery and judgment. Despite its darkness, it points to the greater light and purpose of Christ’s shed blood on that fateful day at Golgotha.
