John 11:46-50

 

John 11:46 (KJB)

But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

 

There will be those who believed on Jesus because they had just witnessed a great miracle of Lazarus being raised from the dead. Along with those who believed, were the ones who went there to see what Jesus was doing. It was these who had gone back to the Pharisees to report what Jesus was doing. No doubt some of these same people were sent by the Pharisees to spy out the ministry of Jesus. You would think that after seeing a dead man come out of the grave, you would change your attitude but hatred and envy will not leave a person unless they become saved. It is possible that some of those who reported back to the Pharisees were not doing it out of dislike for Jesus but were just reporting the events to the leaders.

 

John 11:47 (KJB)

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

 

As soon as they heard the news about the raising of Lazarus, a council was convened as to what to do with Jesus. Instead of them seeing that His ability to raise the dead was definitely of God, they would rather convene a council and discuss what must be done in this case. If they were not so filled with hate, they could have called for Jesus and spoke with Him about the miracle.

 

John 11:48 (KJB)

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.

 

What they greatly feared is that if the Romans had known about the raising of Lazarus, they would believe that something divine was happening and that it may be a threat to Rome. They had feared that if the Romans knew that many people were believing in Jesus, then, knowing their history of deportations to Assyria and Babylon, Rome would do the same thing to them and disperse them thus removing them from their place which would have been Jerusalem and from the country of Israel. They not only feared a deportation but if they were dispersed, then there goes their wealth making opportunities in the Temple. They were making great sums of money and were concerned that the end of their lavish lifestyle was in view unless they did something to stop Jesus. Then secondly, if all were to believe on Jesus then no one would come to the temple and their finances would dwindle in this manner too. So either way, they were seeing their wealth come to an end, so they had to do something.

 

John 11:49 (KJB)

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

 

Since the High Priest was the highest position in the Temple, Caiaphas now begins to lecture the council on what needs to be done. Up to this point probably no real solution to the problem was offered and it might have been just a lot of talk going around, especially since Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea would have been against any evil planned against Jesus. Since the High Priest was on the side of those who opposed Jesus, he would have offered a solution to this problem and being the highest position, his words would have the ring of final authority.

 

John 11:50 (KJB)

Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

 

Expedient - Advantageous or profitable

 

Maybe the discussion was concerning how the people were receiving Jesus but Caiaphas brings the discussion back to themselves. He may have the good of the nation in mind by trying to preserve it by stating that one man should die instead of the whole nation perish. He probably also had in mind that if they get rid of Jesus, then their positions will be firm and they can continue to live in luxury. Caiaphas did not know that he was actually declaring the salvation plan of God in a different manner. Jesus came to die for His people. (Mat 1:21 KJV) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. This means that instead of millions of people going to hell for eternity, Jesus Himself paid the price of salvation for those millions. (Heb 9:26 KJV) For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. It was therefore profitable that Jesus should die for the entire body of believers.

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