The Christian view of sin is not that only the individual or only the society is responsible: all guilty parties are responsible. By framing Judas's end with the account of Jesus' being brought before Pilate (27:1-2, 11), Matthew contrasts Judas not only with Peter but also with the courageous Lord he had betrayed. The theme of shedding innocent blood connects Judas, Pilate, the high-priestly authorities and the people (vv. 4-6, 24-25): like Pilate (v. 24), the priestly officials wish nothing further to do with the situation (v. 4) and likewise imply that the blood was innocent (v. 6).

Meanwhile, leading characters in the narrative who foreshadow oppressors of Matthew's community try to pass off responsibility (compare Jer 38:5); both aristocratic priests and Pilate declare, "See to that yourself," or "That's your responsibility" (Mt 27:4, 24, the "you" being emphatic). But contrary to their own interpretation, the whole generation that betrayed Jesus shared in Judas's guilt (27:25). Matthew knows nothing of the modern dichotomy between personal and societal responsibility for injustice. Religious and social leaders who make decisions, as well as the people to whose demands they give way, share in the guilt; thus, for example, television networks that incite moral depravity are guilty, but so are those who choose to watch their programming.