John 11:46-5746But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. 47Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. 49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. 54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. 55And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 56Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? 57Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should show it, that they might take him. (John 11:46‑57)
Some of the men who saw Lazarus raised to life after he had been dead four days, went to the chief priests and leaders in Jerusalem who, they knew, wanted to kill Jesus to tell them what He had done.
When those men heard of that great event they met to decide quickly how they could take Jesus; they said, “What shall we do? for this man doeth great miracles; if we let Him alone, all will believe Him; and the Romans will come and take away our place and nation.”
They knew Jesus did the many miracles, but they would not believe He was from God, because they had not believed the scriptures which told of Him; and they hated Him because He had spoken truly against their evil ways. But they knew many of the people believed Him the Messiah prosed, and might try to make Him King.
The leader of those men of Jerusalem was Caiaphas, the high priest, which was the highest office of Israel, higher even than a king.
We are told in the book of Hebrews that the Lord Jesus is now Himself the Great High Priest to care for all God’s people: but He is not on earth, but in Heaven.
“We have a great High Priest, that is passed into the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God.” Heb. 4:14; 7:25, 2614Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (Hebrews 4:14)
25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:25‑26).
Caiaphas did not care for God’s words or believe him; for he should have known the writing of the prophet that it was the time for the Great Messiah to appear, and to have known also that no nation could have power against Him when King, for it is written,
“Yea, all kings shall fall down be fore Him; all nations shall serve Him. Ps. 72:11.
Caiaphas said, “Ye know nothing at all, not consider that it is expedient (most necessary) for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.” That “one man” was Jesus.
Yet in spite of that man’s own hatred of the Lord Jesus, it is written here that his words were really a prophecy from God, of the blessing, for not only the people of that nation, but for all the world, by the death of Christ. Except for His death, all must perish, but because He then took God’s punishment against sin, all who accept Him become “children of God”, which is far greater than to be kept as one nation of earth.
ML 11/17/1946