Conclusion of When Lazarus Is Resurrected

The Sanhedrin includes the present high priest, Caiaphas, as well as Pharisees and Sadducees, chief priests and former high priests. These lament: "What are we to do, because this man performs many signs? If we let him alone this way, they will put all faith in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."

Although the religious leader admit that Jesus "performs many signs," the only thing they are concerned about is their own position and authority. The raising of Lazarus is an especially powerful blow to the Sadducees, since they do not believe in the resurrection. Caiaphas, who is perhaps a Sadducee, now speaks up, saying: "You do not know anything at all, and you do not reason out that it is to your benefit for one man to die in behalf of the people and not for the whole nation to be destroyed."

God influenced Caiaphas to say this, for the apostle John later wrote: "This, though, [Caiaphas] did not say of his own originality." What Caiaphas actually meant was that Jesus should be killed to prevent Him from further undermining their positions of authority and influence. Yet, according to John, 'Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus was destined to die not for the nation only, but in order that God's children might be gathered together.' And, indeed, it is God's purpose that his Son die as a ransom for all.

Caiaphas now succeeds in influencing the Sanhedrin to make plans to kill Jesus. But Jesus, possibly learning of these plans from Nicodemus, a member of the Sanhedrin who is friendly to him, departs from there. John 11:38-54.

Next time: Ten Lepers Healed During Jesus' Final Trip To Jerusalem

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991