“A JOURNEY THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JOHN”

St. JOHN 11:45-57

The Sanhedrin’s Decision Regarding Christ

What a mighty miracle of love and power demonstrated by Christ in the raising of Lazarus from the dead!  Although this grand gospel writer, John, said nothing about the impressions of the raising of Lazarus on the Bethany family (Lazarus, Martha, Mary) he did however, mention that the great miracle did prompt many of the Jews to “believe on Him” (v. 45).  Certainly, despite the opposition of many Jews to the person and work of Christ, there were many Jews who witnessed the miracle and they believed.  Moreover, some of those who witnessed the stupendous raising of Lazarus went to the Pharisees and reported the incident (v. 46).  After the reporting of this group, the Pharisees and the chief priests convened and in their deliberation, they said: “What do we? For this man doeth many miracles.  If we let Him thus alone, all men will believe on Him:  and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation” (vs. 47-48).

According to verse 48, the raising of Lazarus to the council would trigger an elevation of popular excitement among the common people; thus a disturbance could occur and cause Rome to intervene and take away the Jews’ national life.  As the council deliberated regarding their decision in what to do with Jesus, a high priest by the name of Caiaphas said: “ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not” (vs. 49-50).  Being motivated by political expediency, little did Caiaphas understand the gravity of his prophecy that Christ would serve as a sacrifice for His people.  Actually, Caiaphas made a prophecy that really honored Christ; yet, the intent of Caiaphas’ comment was only evil!  Acting on what was politically expedient, Caiaphas was only a pawn in the hands of God!  The evil prophecy of Caiaphas only served to be a blessing to the world.

Again, Caiaphas’ prophecy served as an awesome blessing to the world; not withstanding, he was only concerned about the Jews’ political interest, not the person of Christ (vs. 51-52).  The venomous plot of this council is evident in verse 53, for they desired to slay Jesus.  With extreme dignity and having complete mastery of His every move, our Lord knew the decision of this council (v. 54).  As the Jewish Passover drew near, many of the Jewish people wondered if Jesus would attend, as the Jewish leaders plotted to slay Him (v. 55-57).  Jesus had attended the previous Passovers (St. John 2:13, 23; 6:4), and He will attend the last Passover (St. John 13:1) before serving as mankind’s substitute for sin (Matthew 20:28).