Thirty pieces of silver is all it took for Judas to betray his beloved teacher. John Bloom in this chapter is attempting to explain that money itself is a tool for people to use it according to their motives. "And every transaction is part of an unfolding story" says the author. Money is not as important as people's agendas. One of the main theories behind the Judas' betrayal is that he thought that Jesus was going to overthrow the Roman rule of his province. In other words, he was persuaded to believe that he is saving his motherland. In his mind he was doing it out of love. In my opinion, this is a story of making choices and living with the consequences.
Fyodor Dostoevsky was inspired by gospel stories when he wrote Crime and Punishment, and Judas' betrayal was a big influence. Both characters commit murder and feel so remorseful that they want to take it back immediately, but are unable to. The number thirty keeps showing up throughout the novel – as a symbol of the price at which people sell out. That's how much character Sonia, in the novel, earns for selling herself (30 rubles). As the novel comes to an end, the scene of the main character walking to turn himself in resonates with the imagery of Jesus' walk to crucifixion.
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