The answer is: Gave them back

Matt 27:3-4 - He threw them down in front of the chief priests and elders, and being tainted money they decided they couldn't put it in the treasury and so bought a field instead in which to bury strangers

In the gripping story captured in the Gospel of Matthew, we witness Judas Iscariot's profound remorse after handing over Jesus. The act of returning the 30 pieces of silver marks a somber twist: betrayal turns into regret. It's fascinating how Judas, overwhelmed by guilt, returned to the very authorities that were in on the plan. The pieces of silver, which once gleamed with betrayal, now burden him with shame.

After the high priests took the returned silver, they found themselves in a moral quandary – these weren't just ordinary coins; they were labeled as “blood money,” tainted by treachery. Their decision to purchase a potter's field, known as the Field of Blood, creates an echo within the biblical narrative of sacrifice, where lost potential extends beyond an individual fate to affect a wider community.

Here's a fun tidbit: Thirty pieces of silver had specific weight and value, possibly linked to the amount stipulated in the Old Testament in Exodus 21:32 for a gored slave. This connection can inspire deep reflection on Judas' betrayal as a fulfillment of prophetic writings. The parable of choices comes full circle in this moment—a decision that shaped not just Judas’ destiny, but for many others it impacts the entire fabric of Christianity. Understanding these complex motivations connects us to not just the emotional heft of the moment, but also the broader implications of fidelity, ethics, and divine purpose.