But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
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John 11:46-48 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
Parallel Translations
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But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done.
The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs.
If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
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But some of them went their wayes to the Pharises and tolde them what Iesus had done.
Then gadered the hye prestes and the Pharises a counsell and sayde: what do we? This man doeth many miracles.
Yf we let him scape thus all men will beleve on him and the Romaynes shall come and take awaye oure countre and the people.
Show all 3 translations
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But some of them went their way to the Pharises, and told them what things Iesus had done.
Then gathered the hie Priests, and the Pharises a councill, and said, What shall we doe? For this man doeth many miracles.
If we let him thus alone, all men will beleeue in him, and the Romanes will come and take away both our place, and the nation.
Cross-references (36)
- Matthew 26:3 (v47) Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called…
- 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 (v48) who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out, and don’t please God, and are contrary to all men, forbidding us…
- Daniel 9:26-27 (v48) After the sixty-two weeks the Anointed One will be cut off, and will have nothing. The people of the prince who come will destroy the city…
- Zechariah 14:1-2 (v48) Behold, a day of Yahweh comes, when your plunder will be divided within you. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and…
- Matthew 23:35-38 (v48) that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of…
Show all 36 cross-references
- Matthew 27:25 (v48) All the people answered, “May his blood be on us, and on our children!”
- Acts 4:16-17 (v47) saying, “What shall we do to these men? Because indeed a notable miracle has been done through them, as can be plainly seen by all who…
- Acts 5:28 (v48) saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and intend to…
- Deuteronomy 28:50-68 (v48) a nation of fierce facial expressions, that doesn’t respect the elderly, nor show favor to the young. They will eat the fruit of your…
- Zechariah 13:7-8 (v48) “Awake, sword, against my shepherd, and against the man who is close to me,” says Yahweh of Armies. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep…
- Matthew 5:22 (v47) But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother,…
- Matthew 21:40-42 (v48) When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?” They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable…
- Matthew 22:7 (v48) When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
- Luke 8:12 (v48) Those along the road are those who hear, then the devil comes, and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be…
- Luke 11:52 (v48) Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.”
- Luke 16:30-31 (v46) “He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ “He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses…
- Luke 21:20-24 (v48) “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is at hand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the…
- Luke 23:28-31 (v48) But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold,…
- John 2:11 (v47) This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
- John 9:13 (v46) They brought him who had been blind to the Pharisees.
- John 11:57 (v47) Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had commanded that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, that they might seize him.
- John 12:19 (v47) The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.”
- Acts 4:5-6 (v47) In the morning, their rulers, elders, and scribes were gathered together in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest was there, with Caiaphas,…
- Psalms 2:2-4 (v47) The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, and against his Anointed, saying, “Let’s break…
- Matthew 27:1-2 (v47) Now when morning had come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death: and they…
- Mark 14:1 (v47) It was now two days before the feast of the Passover and the unleavened bread, and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might…
- Luke 19:41-44 (v48) When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But…
- Luke 22:2 (v47) The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might put him to death, for they feared the people.
- John 1:7 (v48) The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him.
- John 5:15-16 (v46) The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill…
- John 12:37 (v46) But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him,
- Acts 4:27-28 (v47) “For truly, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together against your holy servant,…
- Acts 5:21 (v47) When they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and taught. But the high priest came, and those who were with him, and…
- Acts 5:24 (v47) Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these words, they were very perplexed about them and what…
- Acts 5:25 (v46) One came and told them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are in the temple, standing and teaching the people.”
- Acts 5:38-40 (v48) Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown. But if it…
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (23 sources)
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John Calvin 1540 · Public Domain On vv46–48 46. But some of them went away to the…
46. But some of them went away to the Pharisees. In those who accuse Christ we behold detestable ingratitude, or rather horrible rage, from which we infer how blind and mad is their impiety. The resurrection of Lazarus ought undoubtedly to have softened even hearts of stone; but there is no work of God which impiety will not infect and corrupt by the bitterness of its poison. So then, before men can profit by miracles, their hearts must be purified; for they who have no fear of God, and no reverence for him, though they saw heaven and earth mingled, will never cease to reject sound doctrine through obstinate ingratitude. Thus you will see in the present day many enemies of the Gospel, like fanatics, fighting with the open and visible hand of God. And yet they demand miracles from us, but it is for no other purpose than to show that, in stubborn resistance, they are monsters of men. As to the report being carried to the Pharisees rather than to any others, it is because, in proportion to their hypocrisy, they were more fierce in opposing the Gospel. For the same reason he soon afterwards makes express mention of them, when he relates that the council was assembled. They were indeed a part of the priests, but are specially named by the Evangelist, because they served the purpose of bellows to kindle the rage of the whole council
John Calvin's Commentaries (1540-1563) — public domain. Text from the Calvin Translation Society English edition (1840s-50s) via the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org). Calvin's coverage is partial (roughly two-thirds of the Bible); uncommented books and verses are honest gaps, never fabricated. The 19th-century editor's footnotes and remarks are omitted so the notes are faithfully Calvin's own voice.
Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv46–48 The last point of hard and iron-like stubbornness is…
The last point of hard and iron-like stubbornness is this, to proclaim open war against God, and yet ceaseth not to make a presence both of godliness and of the profit of the commonwealth.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv46–48 46 But some of them went their ways to…
46 But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.
Ver. 46. But some of them, &c.] Lo, reprobates will not believe, though one rose from the dead to them.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv46–48 These Jews had the same means for believing the…
These Jews had the same means for believing the others had; they had heard the same words from Christ, they had seen the same miracle wrought by Christ. Whence is it that any of the other Jews believed? These, instead of believing, run to the Pharisees to accuse him. Can any account be given of this, unless from the freedom of Divine grace, showing mercy where God will show mercy? Though possibly the former wickedness, of these Jews was the cause of God’s not giving that grace to them which he gave to others.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv46–48 But some of them went their way to the…
But some of them went their way to the Pharisees,.... At Jerusalem, who were members of the sanhedrim; so far were some of them from receiving any advantage by this miracle, that they were the more hardened, and filled with malice and envy to Christ, and made the best of their way to acquaint his most inveterate enemies:
and told them what things Jesus had done; at Bethany; not to soften their minds, and bring them to entertain a good opinion of him, but to irritate them, and put them upon schemes to destroy him; thus even miracles, as well as the doctrines of the Gospel, are to some the savour of death unto death, whilst to others the savour of life unto life.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv46–48 But some of them went to the Pharisees -…
But some of them went to the Pharisees - What a dreadful confirmation of that weighty truth, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead!
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv46–48 Verse 46. But some of them went their ways]…
Verse 46. But some of them went their ways] Astonishing! Some that had seen even this miracle steeled their hearts against it; and not only so, but conspired the destruction of this most humane, amiable, and glorious Saviour! Those who obstinately resist the truth of God are capable of every thing that is base, perfidious, and cruel.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v47 Joh 11:47-48. Then gathered the chief priests, &c. —…
Joh 11:47-48. Then gathered the chief priests, &c. — “The account which these men gave of Lazarus’s resurrection, raised the indignation of the rulers to the highest pitch. They called a council forthwith, and after consultation blamed one another for having suffered Jesus to go so long unpunished. But this miracle being too evident to be denied, as all his miracles indeed were, they did not, even in their most private conferences, say or intimate to one another, that their displeasure and opposition proceeded from his passing false miracles upon the ignorant vulgar. They rather condemned him upon the truth and notoriety of his miracles; pretending that they were designed to establish a new sect in religion, which might endanger, not their church only, but their state.” They said, What do we? — What, indeed? Why, you resist the truth, confirmed by the most astonishing and convincing miracles ever wrought: you show that death itself yields to the power of Christ sooner than infidelity. For this man doeth many miracles — Thus, though they were his sworn enemies, they could not help giving him an ample testimony, even in full court. If we let him thus alone — If we suffer him to go on thus uncontrolled. But how can you prevent his going on? How can you control one who walks on the water, calms the winds and waves with a word, and with a word cleanses the lepers, heals the sick, and raises the dead? All men will believe on him — And ought they not? Will they not be justified if they do, nay, and inexcusable if they do not? And are not you inexcusable in not believing on him? Surely for this very reason, that he does so many miracles, all salutary and tending to the good of mankind, and with such evidence of a divine power as you yourselves think is likely to draw all men to believe in him, you should acknowledge him to be the true Messiah, and profess yourselves his disciples, subjects, and servants. But the Romans will come — If we suffer this man to proceed thus, and continually to increase the number of his followers, it will give such umbrage to the Romans, that, on pretence of an insurrection being raised in the country, they will send a powerful army and destroy both our place, our temple, and nation — Both our church and state. Will overturn both our religious and civil constitution. Were they really afraid of this? or was it a mere pretence, a fair colour only for their conduct? Certainly it was no more. For they could not but know, that he who raised the dead was able to conquer the Romans. They entered, however, at this time, immediately after this most astonishing of all Christ’s miracles, this most convincing of all the evidences he had given of his being the Messiah, into a resolution of putting him to death at all hazards. “But those politicians were taken in their own craftiness; for while they proposed, by killing Jesus, to avoid the destruction of their temple and city, the sin which they committed in killing him was so great, that God, in his just indignation, made the very people, whose resentment they proposed to avoid by this wicked measure, the instruments of his vengeance. He brought the Roman armies against them, who destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city; leaving, in that dreadful catastrophe, an awful warning to all statesmen, to beware of prosecuting unjust measures, on pretence of consulting the good of the nation, whose affairs they direct.” — Macknight.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv46–48 Some of them ... - We see here the…
Some of them ... - We see here the different effect which the word and works of God will have on different individuals. Some are converted and others are hardened; yet the evidence of this miracle was as clear to the one as the other. But they would not be convinced.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv47–48 The chief priests ... said: what do we? &c.…
The chief priests ... said: what do we? &c. as if they had said: why are we so slow, so remiss, and indolent in our proceedings against this man, when we daily see what numbers he draws after him by his miracles? (Witham)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v47 What do we? for this man doeth many miracles--"While…
What do we? for this man doeth many miracles--"While we trifle, 'this man,' by His 'many miracles,' will carry all before Him; the popular enthusiasm will bring on a revolution, which will precipitate the Romans upon us, and our all will go down in one common ruin." What a testimony to the reality of our Lord's miracles, and their resistless effect, from His bitterest enemies!
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv47–48 47. A debate ensues upon the question, What do…
47. A debate ensues upon the question, What do we? As yet, until Caiphas speaks, mild counsels may have prevailed.
Doeth many miracles—They do not, like modern sceptics, deny the miracles in order to destroy Jesus. They admit the work, and kill the worker lest all men should believe on him.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv47–48 47. a council] They summon a meeting of the…
47. a council] They summon a meeting of the Sanhedrin. Even the adversaries of Jesus are being converted, and something decisive must be done. The crisis unites religious opponents. The chief priests, who were mostly Sadducees, act in concert with the Pharisees; jealous ecclesiastics with religious fanatics (comp. Joh_7:32; Joh_7:45, Joh_18:3).
What do we?] Implying that something must be done.
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this man] Contemptuous, as in Joh_9:16; Joh_9:24; comp. Joh_7:49.
doeth many miracles] It is no longer possible to deny the fact of the signs. Instead of asking themselves what these ‘signs’ must mean, their only thought is how to prevent others from drawing the obvious conclusion.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv46–48 (46) But some of them went their ways to…
(46) But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees—i.e., necessarily, some of those who had been with Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, and had believed. But why did they then go and tell the Pharisees? It is contrary to their position as believers to think that they did this as informers against Jesus. What they have seen has carried conviction to their own minds, and they report it to the Pharisees, either as a proof that He really was the Messiah, or in any case to demand from them a judgment on the facts which they report.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv47–48 The chief priests and Pharisees therefore gathered a council.…
The chief priests and Pharisees therefore gathered a council. If a formal meeting of the great council, if "the Sanhedrin," had been summoned, the article would have been used. (On the Sanhedrin, see Winer, art. "Sanhedrin," in his "Bib. R. Wort.;" Lange, in loc.; Edersheim, vol. 2:553, etc. This name is Greek (though Hebraized in the Talmud), and signifies the supreme court of the people, resident in Jerusalem, consisting of seventy-one members, with a president, Nasi, and a vice-president, Ab-baith-den.) Extraordinary sessions of the Sanhedrin were called at the house of the high priest, but ordinary sessions in some rooms adjoining the temple. The points submitted to their cognizance were hierarchical and religious. They had at this time lost their actual power of inflicting capital punishment. They were a court of appeal from lower courts in the province, framed after the same model. Pharisees and Sadducees were alike to be found in their number. The family of Annas, his sons, and his son-in-law Caiaphas, were all Sadducees, and embraced the priestly part of the assembly. They were the most deadly enemies of Christ throughout. The Pharisees are scarcely again mentioned in the account of the Passion. The priestly Sadducean party became also bitter enemies of Christianity and of the Church during apostolic times. Here they take the initiative. And they said, What are we about? because this Man is (as we must admit) doing many signs, which will produce a perilous effect among the people. There were certain aspects and views both of the Pharisaic and Sadducean party with which our Lord"s teaching coincided. When he denounced ritualism, literalism, and tradition, and laid emphasis on moral law, he had to some extent the ear of the Sadducees; when he cleansed the temple of the priestly bazaar, when he rebuked the secular conceptions of Messianic glory, the Pharisees inwardly rejoiced. Nevertheless, they had both too many grounds of criticism and dislike not to combine against him. The council of the nation found it a delicate and difficult task to frame charges in which the entire authorities of the nation and the popular clamor could coincide.
A significant admission.
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It was not before the public, but in the secret conclave of the Sanhedrin, that the Sadducean chief priests and the Pharisees made this very remarkable admission. Animated only by selfish considerations, these men looked the facts in the face. They regarded the position of Jesus in the light of their own interests, and accordingly proceeded to deal with his case with a brutal frankness and insensibility. It was no time for misrepresentation or self-deception. To this sincerity of wickedness we owe the valuable witness of those who were as competent as any of his contemporaries to judge of the validity of the claims of Jesus. "This man doeth many miracles.
I THE ADMISSION ACCOUNTS FOR THE FEARS AND THE MALICE OF CHRIST"S ENEMIES. Had Jesus been a mere teacher, he would not have excited the enmity which, as a matter of fact, encountered him. But he wrought mighty works, and by their means not only excited interest among the people, but acquired influence over them. That this influence might be used to the detriment of the religious leaders of the Jews was their chief dread with regard to Jesus. The exact ground upon which they might well fear him they did indeed misunderstand. Yet it was his possession of superhuman power which made him formidable to their imagination and to the foreboding of their guilty hearts. It was this authority which in fact, though in a different way from that expected by them, did prove fatal to their position, and subversive of their sway.
II THIS ADMISSION ESTABLISHES THE FACT OF CHRIST"S POSSESSION OF MIRACULOUS POWER. If it had been possible for these selfish and calculating ecclesiastics to do so, doubtless they would have denied the fact of Christ"s miracles. It was against their interests to admit it, could it with any plausibility be questioned. The witness of Christ"s friends to his superhuman power is valuable; than that of disinterested and impartial spectators is more so; but that of his avowed enemies is most valuable of all. They attributed his mighty works to an infernal power; but they never denied them. How can the conclusion be avoided that these signs and wonders did really take place?
III THIS ADMISSION AGGRAVATES THE GUILT OF THOSE WHO CONSPIRED TO SLAY CHRIST. There could be no question that the miracles of Jesus were for the most part obviously benevolent and merciful, and that this was well known to his enemies. What excuse then could they have for plotting his death? If he was not only a wise Teacher, but a popular Benefactor and Healer, his enemies, in conspiring to bring his ministry to a close, proved theft indifference to the welfare of the people, which Jesus so compassionately and powerfully promoted. It was not only that they slew "the Holy One and Just;" they slew the Self-denying and Compassionate.
IV THIS ADMISSION SHOULD SERVE TO CONVINCE THE SKEPTICAL THAT CHRIST WAS THE SON OF GOD. If men enter upon the consideration of Christ"s claims with the foregone conclusion in their minds that no miracle can by any power be wrought, then all evidence that may be adduced will be adduced in vain. But if they come with unprejudiced and candid minds, the testimony recorded in this verse must surely have weight with them. At all events, it may serve to show that the objections against our Lord"s claims advanced in these days are utterly unlike those advanced in his lifetime. There was keen criticism then, although of a different kind from that we meet with now. Then, the only ground on which our Lord"s authority was disputed was the very natural ground of the selfish interests of his enemies. It was thought expedient to bring his ministry to a close by violence, falsehood, and injustice. With such a method of opposition to Christ many modern unbelievers have no sympathy. But it is very hard to substantiate any other method of opposition, that is, upon the grounds of rational plausibility. Take the testimony of Christ"s worst foes, and deal fairly with it. And their admissions will be seen to preclude the possibility of impugning Christ"s authority. Nor must it be forgotten that the "many miracles" which Jesus wrought when here on earth were the earnest and the promise of those greater and more amazing moral miracles which from the throne of his glory he has been working through the long ages of the Christian dispensation. T.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a…
Joh_11:47-53
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council
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The Sanhedrim
I.
The NAME συνέδριον. Sanhedrin is more accurate than Sanhedrim, though this is more frequently used, and means a sitting together, an assembly.
II. SIGNIFICATION: the supreme, theocratico-hierarchical court of the Jews, resident at Jerusalem.
III. COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION. It consisted of seventy-one members forming three classes--chief priests, elders, scribes. At that time it was composed of Pharisaic and Sadducean elements. Its president was ordinarily the High Priest who was assisted by a vice-president.
IV. SESSIONS.
1. Extraordinary: in urgent cases at the house of the High Priest.
2. Ordinary: held daily, with the exception of the Sabbath and feast days, of old in a session room adjoining the Temple, called Gazith, but from a period of forty years before the destruction of the Temple in places near the Temple mount.
V. MATTERS COMING UNDER THE COGNIZANCE OF THE COURT AS A FORUM. Matters concerning a whole tribe, a false prophet, the high priest, an arbitrary war, or blasphemy.
VI. PUNITARY POWER. Formerly infliction of capital punishment; stoning, burning, beheading, hanging, later, excommunication and recommendation for capital punishment.
VII. ADMINISTRATION. Connection with the minor courts; highest court of appeal from these; intercourse with them through surrogates and apparitors.
VIII. EXTENT OF AUTHORITY: legislation, administration, justice.
IX. HISTORY. According to the Talmudists, this court originated in the institution of Moses (Num_11:24). That probably was preclusive. So, too, the supreme court of Jehoshaphat (2Ch_19:8). Increased importance of this institution after the Exile. The γευουσία in the time of the Selucidae (2Ma_1:10); the first decided mention at the time of Antipater and Herod (Jos. Antiq. 14:9, 4). (J. P. Lanye, D. D.)
What do we
Men active for destruction
Alas! if only this question had been: What must we do to be saved? But, like all ungodly men, they are, as Augustine says, more active in devising ways to cause destruction than to escape destruction. What do we?--this man doeth many miracles! What a fearful antithesis is here! (R. Besser, D. D.)
It is ever in the way of those who rule the earth to leave out of their reckoning Him who rules the universe. (Cowper.)
The perplexity Jesus occasions His enemies
Man cannot come into the presence of truth and purity without shame and confusion. The Chief Priests and Pharisees felt this in the presence of Jesus. The subject suggested is--The perplexity Jesus occasions His enemies.
I. ONE SOURCE OF THEIR PERPLEXITY WAS FOUND IN HIS POSSESSION AND EXERCISE OF MIRACULOUS POWER. This man doeth many miracles. What should have been to them the strongest proof of the dignity of His character, and validity of His mission, only excited their jealousy and increased their fears. Unbelievers fear the power of Christianity, while they despise its teaching, and reject its author.
II. THEIR PERPLEXITY WAS INCREASED BY THE FAME AND SUCCESS OF HIS MISSION. If we let Him thus alone all men will believe on Him. The resurrection of Lazarus, added to the fame of Jesus, which had been increasing as He swept along in His career. His success recorded in verse
45. Nothing troubles infidels more than the tenacious life of Christianity,and its irrepressible extension.
III. THEIR PERPLEXITY REACHED ITS CLIMAX WHEN THEY DECIDED TO PUT HIM TO DEATH (Joh_11:53). Murder has ever been the miserable subterfuge of the tyrant--the ghastly policy of the weak and despotic. But what a condition of heart does this reveal--bewilderment, cowardice, cruelty. The man least disturbed was their victim. Calm and unmoved, Jesus pressed forward to finish His work.
IV. THE DEED BY WHICH THEY SOUGHT TO END THEIR PERPLEXITY ONLY INCREASED IT. To die was the object of Christs coming into the world. By
His death atonement was made for sin. The cruelty of the wicked defeats its purpose.
V. HOW VASTLY WAS THEIR PERPLEXITY INCREASED WHEN JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD! Learn
1. How vain and fatal a thing it is to fight against God.
2. That believing in Jesus is the readiest and only way of ending all perplexity concerning Him. (G. Barlow.)
The prime agents in the Crucifixion
In the events of the Passion three chief actors offer in individual types the springs of hostility to Christ. Blindness--the blindness that will not see--is consummated in the High Priest: weakness in the irresolute governor: selfishness in the traitor apostle. The Jew, the heathen, the apostate disciple form a representative group of enemies of the Lord. These men form a fertile study.
I. All that St. John records of CAIAPHAS is contained in a single sentence; and yet in that one short speech the whole soul of the man is laid open. The Council in timid irresolution expressed their fear lest the Romans might come, etc. (verse 48). They both petrified their dispensation into a place and a nation, and they were alarmed when they saw their idol endangered. But Caiaphas saw his occasion in their terror. For him Jesus was a victim by whom they could appease the suspicion of their conquerors (verse 49, etc.). The victim was innocent, but the life of one could not be weighed against the safety of a society. Nay, rather, it was as His words imply, a happy chance that they could seem to vindicate their loyalty while they gratified their hatred. To this the Divine hierarchy had come at last. Abraham offered his son to God in obedience to the Father in whom he trusted: Caiaphas gave the Christ to Caesar in obedience to the policy which had substituted the seen for the unseen.
II. Caiaphas had lost the power of seeing the truth: PILATE had lost the power of holding it. There is a sharp contrast between the clear resolute purpose of the priest, and the doubtful wavering answers of the governor. The judge shows his contempt for the accusers, but the accusers are stronger than he. It is in vain that he tries one expedient after another to satisfy the unjust passion of his suitors. He examines the charge of evil doing and pronounces it groundless; but he lacks courage to pronounce an unpopular acquittal. He seeks to move compassion by exhibiting Jesus scourged and mocked, and yet guiltless; and the chief priests defeat Him by the cry Crucify (Joh_19:6). He hears His claim to be a King not ofthis world and the Son of God, and is the more afraid; but his hesitation is removed by an argument of which he feels the present power Joh_19:12). The fear of disgrace prevailed over the conviction of justice, over the impression of awe, over the pride of the Roman. The Jews completed their apostasy when they cried, We have no king but Caesar; and Pilate unconvinced, baffled, overborne, delivered to them their true King to be crucified, firm only in this, that he would not change the title which he had written in scorn, and yet as an unconscious prophet.
III. Caiaphas misinterpreted the Divine covenant which he represented: Pilate was faithless to the spirit of the authority with which he was lawfully invested; JUDAS perverted the very teaching of Christ Himself. If once we regard Judas as one who looked to Christ for selfish ends, even his thoughts become intelligible. He was bound to his Master, not for what He was, but for what He thought that he would obtain through Him. Others, like the sons of Zebedee, spoke out of the fulness of their hearts, and their mistaken ambition was purified: Judas would not expose his fancies to reproof. St. Peter was called Satan, an adversary; but Judas was a devil, a perverter of that which is holy and true. He set up self as His standard, and by an easy delusion he came to forget that there could be any other. Even at the last he seems to have fancied that he could force the manifestation of Christs power by placing Him in the hands of His enemies (Joh_6:70; Joh_18:6). He obeys the command to do quickly what he did, as if he were ministering to his Masters service. He stands by in the garden when the soldiers went back, and fell to the ground, waiting, as it were, for the revelation of the Messiah in His Majesty. Then came the end. He knew the sovereignty of Christ, and he saw Him go to death. St. John says nothing of what followed; but there can be no situation more overwhelmingly tragic than that in which he shows the traitor for the last time, standing with those who came to take Jesus. (Bp. Westcott.)
One of them named Caiaphas being the high priest that same year … prophesied
A memorable year
If this circumstance had taken place in the palmy days of the theocracy, the expression would be incomprehensible; for, according to the Mosaic law, the high priesthood was held for life. But since the Roman supremacy, the rulers of the land, dreading the power derived from a permanent office, had adopted the custom of frequently changing one high priest for another. According to Josephus the Roman governor, Valerius Gratus, deprived Ananus of the high priesthood and conferred it on Ishmael, and afterwards deposing him made Eleazar, son of Ishmael, high priest. A year after he also was deposed, and Simon nominated in his stead, who, retaining the dignity for a year only, was succeeded by Joseph, surnamed Caiaphas. The latter continued in office from A.D. 24 to 36, and consequently throughout the ministry of Jesus. These frequent changes justify the expression of the Evangelist, and deprive criticism of any excuse for saying that the author of this Gospel did not know that the pontificate lasted for life. But since Caiaphas was high priest for eleven consecutive years, why did St. John three times over (verses 49, 51; 18:18) use the expression, that year? Because he desired to recall the importance of that unique and decisive year in which the perfect sacrifice terminated the typical sacrifices and the Levitical priesthood as exercised by Caiaphas. It devolved upon the high priest to offer every year the great atoning sacrifice for the sins of the people, and this was the office now performed by Caiaphas, as the last representative of the ancient priesthood. By his vote he, in some degree, appointed and sacrificed the victim who in that ever memorable year was to bring in an everlasting righteousness, etc. (Dan_9:24-27). (F. Godet, D. D.)
Unconscious prophecies
If some historian were to write that Abraham Lincoln was president of the United States that same year in which the great civil war broke out, would any be justified in imputing to him the mistake that the presidency was an annual office, or in concluding that the writer could not have been an American living at the time, and to whom the ordinary sources of information were open? And who has a right to ascribe to the words of St. John any further meaning than that Caiaphas was high priest then? Whether he had been so before, or should be after, was nothing to his present purpose. The oracular, even prophetic, character which his utterance obtained requires some explanation. That a bad man should utter words which were so overruled by God as to become prophetic, would of itself be no difficulty. He who used Balaam could use Caiaphas. Nor is there any difficulty in such unconscious prophecies as this evidently is. It exactly answers as such to the omina of Roman superstition, in which words spoken by one in a lesser meaning are taken up by another in a higher, and by him claimed to be prophetic of that. Cicero (De Divin. 1:46) gives examples: these, too, resting on the faith that mens words are ruled by a higher power than their own. How many prophecies of a like kind meet us in the history of the Crucifixion! What was the title over our Lord but another such scornful, yet most veritable prophecy? Or what, again, the purple robe and the homage; the sceptre and the crown?
The Roman soldiers did not mean to fulfil Psalm xxii when they parted Christs garments, etc., nor the Jewish mockers when they spoke those taunting words; but they did so none the less. And in the typical rehearsals of the crowning catastrophe in the drama of Gods providence, how many a Nimrod, Pharaoh, Antiochus and Nero--Antichrists that do not quite come to the birth--have prophetic parts allotted to them which they play out, unknowing what they do. We have an example of this in the very name Caiaphas, which is only another form of Cephas. But the perplexing circumstance is the attribution to him because He was the high priest of these prophetic words. But there is no need to suppose that St. John meant to affirm this to have been a power inherent in the high priesthood; but only that God, the extorter of the unwilling, or even unconscious, prophecies of wicked men, ordained this further: that he in whom the whole theocracy culminated, who was the Prince of the People (Act_23:5), for such, till another high priest had sanctified Himself--and his moral character was nothing to the point--Caiaphas truly was, should, because he bore this office, be the organ of this memorable prophecy concerning Christ, and the meaning and end of His death. (Archbishop Trench.)
Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people.
What is morally wrong can never be politically right. (C. J. Fox.)
Caiaphas
1. The resurrection of Lazarus had raised a wave of popular excitement. Any stir was dangerous, especially at Passover time, when Jerusalem would be filled with men ready to take fire from any spark. So a hasty meeting of the council was summoned to discuss the situation and to concert measures for repressing the nascent enthusiasm. Like all weak men, they feel that something must be done. Their fear is not patriotism or religion, but self-interest. They are at a loss what to do.
2. But there is one man who knows his own mind, and no restraint of conscience or delicacy keeps him from speaking it out. Impatient at their vacillation, he brushes it all aside with, Ye know nothing at all. The one point for us is our own interests. This Man must die. Never mind His miracles, teaching, character. He is a perpetual danger to our prerogatives. And so he clashes his advice down into the middle of their waverings, like a piece of iron into yielding water, and the strong man is master of the situation, and the resolve is taken (Joh_11:53).
3. But John regards this advice as prophecy. Caiaphas spoke wiser things than he knew. The Divine Spirit breathed in strange fashion and moulded his savage utterance into an expression of the deepest thought about Christs death. Consider
I. THE UNSCRUPULOUS PRIEST AND HIS SAVAGE ADVICE.
1. He was set by his office to tend the sacred flame of Messianic hope, with pure hands and heart to offer sacrifice for sin, and to witness for the truth. And see what he is! A crafty schemer, blind to Christs character and teaching, unspiritual, rude, cruel. What a lesson this speech and the character disclosed by it read to all who have a professional connection with religion. Priests of all churches have always been tempted to look upon religion as existing somehow for their personal advantage. And so the Church is in danger means my position is threatened; and heretics must be got rid of because their teaching is inconvenient, and new truth is fought against because officials do not see how it harmonizes with their preeminence.
2. All who professionally handle sacred things are tempted to look upon truth as their stock-in-trade, and to fight against innovations that appear to threaten the teachers position.
3. But the lessons are for all. This selfish consideration of our own interests
(1) Will blind us to the most radiant beauty of truth; aye, to Christ Himself. Fishes which live in the water of caverns lose their eight, and men who live in the dark holes of their own selfish natures lose their spiritual sight. When you put on regard for yourselves as they do blinkers on horses you lose the power of comprehensive vision, and only see straight forward upon the line marked out by self interests. Lord Nelson at Copenhagen put his telescope up to his blind eye at the signal of recall, and this is what selfishness does with hundreds who do not know it. There are none so blind as those who wont see; and there are none who wont see so certainly as those who have a suspicion that if they do they will have to change their tack.
(2) May bring a man down to any kind and degree of wrong-doing. Caiaphas was brought down by it from supreme judge to assassin. If you begin with it is expedient as the canon of your conduct you get on an inclined plane that tilts at a very sharp angle, and is sufficiently greased, and ends away in darkness and death, and it is only a question of time how far, fast, deep and irrevocable will be your descent.
(3) Has in it an awful power of so twisting and searing a mans conscience as that he comes to view the evil and never knows there is any wrong in it. Caiaphas had no conception that he was doing anything but obeying the dictate of self-preservation. The crime of the actual crucifixion was diminished because done unconsciously; but the crime of the process by which they came to be unconscious--how that was increased and deepened!
4. The only antagonist to this selfishness is to yield ourselves to the love of God in Christ, and to say, I live, yet not I, etc.
II. THE UNCONSCIOUS PROPHET AND HIS GREAT PREDICTION.
1. The Evangelist conceives that the high priest, being the head of the theocratic community, was naturally the medium of a Divine oracle. In that fateful year the great High Priest forever stood for a moment by the side of the earthly high priest--the Substance by the shadow--and by this offering of Himself deprived priesthood and sacrifice of all their validity. Caiaphas was in reality the last of the high priests, and those that succeeded him for less than half a century were but like ghosts. Solemn and strange that Aarons long line ended in such a man!
2. Being high priest he prophesied. And there was nothing strange in a bad mans prophesying. Balaam did; so did Pilate when he wrote the inscription, and the Pharisees when they said, He saved others.
3. The prophecy suggests
(1) The two-fold aspect of Christs death. From the human standpoint it was murder by forms of law for political ends. From the Divine point of view it is Gods great sacrifice for the sin of the world. The greatest crime is the greatest blessing. Mans sin works out the Divine purpose, even as the coral insects blindly building up the reef that keeps back the waters, or, as the sea in its wild impotent rage, seeking to overwhelm the land, only throws upon the beach a barrier that confines its waves and curbs their fury.
(2) The two-fold consequences of that death upon the nation itself.
(a) The thing which Caiaphas had tried to prevent was brought about by the deed itself. Christs death was the destruction, and not the salvation, of the nation.
(b) And yet it was true that He died for that people, for Caiaphas as truly as for John. You must either build upon Christ, the Foundation Stone, or be crushed into powder under Him.
4. The two-fold sphere in which that death works its effect. When John wrote the narrower national system had been shivered, and from out of the dust and ruin had emerged the firmer reality of a Church as wide as the world.
(1) The scattered children of God were to be united round the Cross. The only bond that unites men is their common relation to Christ. That is deeper than all the bonds of nation, blood, race, society, etc.
(2) Christs death brings men into the family of God. To as many as received Him, etc. (A. Maclaren, D. D.)
Truth borne by strange witnesses
A flaming torch may be found in a blind mans hand. (J. Trapp.)
Caiaphas; or, a glance as government, human and Divine
I. AN INIQUITOUS POLICY IN THE GOVERNMENT OF MAN. At the meeting of the Sanhedrim two things were admitted--Christs mighty deeds; His power over the people, These admissions by enemies are important as evidence and significant as lessons. In relation to Caiaphass policy, note
1. That it was apparently adapted to the end. Christ was alienating the people from the institutions of the country, and shaking their faith in its authorities; and the most effective plan for terminating the mischief seemed to be to put Him to death.
2. Though seemingly adapted to the end it was radically wrong in principle. The Victim was innocent. The apparent fitness of a measure to an end does not make it right.
3. Being radically wrong it was ultimately ruinous. It brought upon them the judgments which broke up the Commonwealth. Let Governments study the policy of Caiaphas.
II. A STUPENDOUS FACT IN THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD. Caiaphas unconsciously predicts a feature of the Divine administration--that the death of Christ was necessary to the salvation of others.
1. Negatively. The death of Christ
(1) Does not change the mind of God in relation to man. It is the expression, proof, and medium of Gods love.
(2) Does not relax the claims of laws. Nothing can do this but annihilation.
(3) Does not mitigate the enormity of sin, but rather increases it.
(4) Does not change the necessary conditions of spiritual improvement--the intellectual study, heart application, and devotional practice of Divine truth.
2. Positively.
(1) It gives a new revelation of God.
(2) It gives new motives to obedience. Ye are not your own, etc.
(3) It supplies new helps to spiritual culture.
(a) The highest ideal--the character of Christ.
(b) The highest incentives--gratitude, esteem, benevolence.
(c) The highest Minister--Gods Spirit. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
The modern Caiaphas
Caiaphas appears in three characters.
I. As a WITNESS
1. To the truth of Christs miracles. He had every reason to deny it, and that he did not is certain evidence that he could not. In this he was wiser than his modern disciples, who admire Christs doctrines but deny His works. Eliminate the latter and you throw discredit on the authenticity of the former. If Christ be not risen (the greatest miracle), says Paul, preaching is false and faith vain. And if you get rid of Christs miracles, what about those of nature and man?
2. To the power of formality--the deep seated hatred of innovation which is in man. Christ was a mighty Phenomenon. He struck out a new line of thought and life, and those who do that must expect opposition. When Wilberforce began his career a nobleman pointed to a picture of the Crucifixion and said, That is the end of reformers. If you have not found it true it is because you have not tried to reform anything. Men hate to be disturbed in their sins.
3. To Christ as a disturbing force in history. He may be hated and crucified, but He cannot be ignored. He brings Divine tumult with Him, and divides the world into hostile camps. All kingdoms are shaken that His kingdom may be set up. From the days of Caiaphas to now the supreme question is,
What think ye of Christ? What are we to do? said the priest. How long halt ye? etc. If Christ be false then away with Him. But if He be true be honest enough to act on your conviction.
II. As a PROPHET. The gift of prophecy was supposed never to have died out of the Jewish priesthood. So when Caiaphas arose all voices were hushed as he said, It is expedient, etc. Mark how God raises the speech of a frantic bigot so that it becomes a prophecy of the atonement. Even as storm, wind, hail, etc., do Gods bidding no less than the sunshine, so God uses even evil men to do the very thing they oppose. What does sceptical criticism do for Christ but reveal that there is that which is above all criticism. The mountain is never so grand as when the storm gathers round it. And so Christ stands unshaken, triumphant amid the loud tempest and tumult of history. The wrath of men praises Him, etc.
III. As a PHILOSOPHER. He recognizes the sacrificial element which has always been at work in society. Do you turn to Leviticus and regard it as an obsolete record of curious ancient custom? If so you will never grasp its significance, which goes down to the root of human life. The word written across the Book is sacrifice. Life is built up of sacrifice. It is the law of motherhood and of love, the soul of heroism, the essence of nobleness. Ages sacrifice themselves for the race that follows. There is nothing Diviner than for a man to die for sins not his own. The world will never be redeemed until men are ready to die for it. Caiaphas defines the meaning of Christ in history. He is the Lamb of God. (W. J. Dawson.)
The counsel of Caiaphas
I. THE DEATH OF CHRIST AS A POLITICAL CRIME.
1. The real reason: because Christ would not be another Maccabaeus to achieve political emancipation.
2. The ostensible pretext: that He threatened to bring them into conflict with the Roman power, and thus imperilled their interests
3. The fatal blunder. All political crimes are blunders. The murder of Jesus brought about the destruction of the Jewish State.
II. THE DEATH OF CHRIST AS A DIVINE SACRIFICE.
1. Its substitutionary character. It was, and that according to the Divine intention, the death of one Man for the people. The Son of Man gave His life a ransom for many, and died the just for the unjust.
2. Its worldwide significance. Christ died not for Jews only but for Gentiles 1Jn_2:2).
3. Its ultimate design: that He shall gather, etc. (Joh_10:16).
The enlargement of the Spirit on Caiaphass prophecy
I. FOR WHOM CHRIST DIED.
1. The Jews.
2. The children of God scattered abroad.
(1) Then living.
(2) Throughout all time.
II. THE PURPOSE OF HIS DEATH CONCERNING THESE: to gather them into one. Christs dying is
1. The great attraction to our hearts.
2. The great centre of our unity.
(1) By the merit of His death recommending all in one to the favour of God.
(2) By the motive of His death drawing each to the love of every other. (M. Henry.)
Substitution
A certain town called Ekrikok was devoted to destruction for high treason. But it was allowed to redeem itself, partly by a fine and partly by one life being offered in expiatory sacrifice for the whole, which was accomplished in the person of a new slave, bought for the purpose. Mr. Waddell, the missionary, remonstrating on the subject with Old Egho Jack, the head of a great family, that personage asserted that it was impossible the affair could be settled without a death, for Egho law was the same as Gods law to Calabar, and he pointedly asked me if it were better for all Ekrikok to die, or for one slave to die for all the town? I thought of the words of Caiaphas, and of the value of life as a substitution and atonement for sin. A poor slave, bought in the market for a few hundred coppers, by his death redeemed a town, for which many thousands of money would have availed nothing. (Missionary Record of the U. P. Church.)
Substitution
In the time of Napoleon I a certain man agreed to join the ranks in the place of a comrade who had been drafted. The offer was accepted, the battle was fought, and the man was killed. Some time after another draft was made, and they wanted a second time to take the man whose substitute had been shot. No, said he, you cant take me; Im dead. I was shot at such a battle. Why, man, you are crazy. Look here, you got a substitute; another man went in your place, but you have not been shot. No, but he died in my place; he went as my substitute. They would not recognize it, and it was carried up to the Emperor; but the Emperor said the man was right. Napoleon I recognized the doctrine of substitution. (D. L. Moody.)
Vicarious atonement
Some 350 years B.C. a great chasm opened in the Forum of Rome, which the soothsayers declared could only be filled up by throwing into it Romes greatest treasure. Thereupon Mettus Curtius, a young and noble Roman knight, arrayed himself in full armour, and mounted his charger, and, declaring that Rome possessed no greater treasure than a brave citizen, leaped into the chasm, upon which the earth closed over him. (W. Baxendale.)
The sacrifice of one the salvation of many
At Ragenbach in Germany one afternoon a great number of people were assembled in the large room of the inn. The room door stood open and the village blacksmith, a pious, brave-hearted man, sat near the door. All at once a mad dog rushed in, but was seized by the smith with an iron grasp and dashed on the floor. Stand back, my friends, cried he. Now hurry out while I hold him. Better for one to perish than for all. The dog bit furiously on every side. His teeth tore the arms and thighs of the heroic smith, but he would not let go his hold. When all the people had escaped he flung the half-strangled beast from him against the wall, left the room and locked the door. The dog was shot; but what was to become of the man? The friends whose lives he had saved stood round him weeping. Be quiet, my friends, he said, dont weep for me: Ive only done my duty. When I am dead think of me with love; and now pray for me that God will not let me suffer long or too much. I know I shall become mad, but I will take care that no harm comes to you through me. Then he went to his shop. He took a strong chain. One end of it he rivetted with his own hands round his body, the other end he fastened round the anvil so strongly that no earthly power could loose it. Then he turned to his friends and said, Now its done! You are all safe. I cant hurt you. Bring me food while I am well and keep out of my reach when I am mad. The rest I leave with God. Soon madness seized him, and in nine days he died--died gloriously for his friends; but Christ died for His enemies. (R. Newton, D. D.)
Self-sacrifice
The plague was making a desert of the city of Marseilles; death was everywhere. The physicians could do nothing. In one of their councils it was decided that a corpse must be dissected; but it would be death to the operator. A celebrated physician of the number arose, and said, I devote myself for the safety of my country. Before this numerous assembly, I swear in the name of humanity and religion, that tomorrow at the break of day I will dissect a corpse and write down as I proceed what I observe. He immediately left the room, made his will, and spent the night in religious exercises. During the day a man had died in the house of the plague and at daybreak on the following morning the physician, whose name was Guyon, entered the room and critically made the necessary examinations, writing down all his surgical observations. He then left the room, threw the papers into a vase of vinegar that they might not convey the disease to another, and retired to a convenient place where he died in twelve hours. (Homiletic Monthly.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain On vv47–48 47. The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a…
47. The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council. The Sanhedrim met at once. The crisis was an alarming one. Unless something was done the nation would follow Jesus.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v46 Joh_11:46. But some of them, etc.—It is possible to…
EXPLANATORY AND CRITICAL NOTES
Joh_11:46. But some of them, etc.—It is possible to misjudge their motives; but in view of Joh_19:22 and Joh_10:31 their action can hardly be viewed as friendly.
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Joh_11:48. The Romans, etc.—If Christ were to be raised to the position of leader of the people the jealous Roman government might take away the last vestige of their power. “They feared temporal loss and incurred eternal, and did not even escape the temporal” (Augustine). Place.—Their position probably as ecclesiastical rulers of the Jewish people. Thus both such political and religious privileges as they possessed might be endangered, they thought.
Joh_11:49. Caiaphas.—Joseph Caiaphas, son-in-law of Annas, who had been deprived of the priesthood by Valerius Gratus (Josephus, Ant., 18). To conciliate him the members of his family were elected in turn to the office. That same year.—I.e. that memorable year.
Joh_11:50. Caiaphas was politically an opportunist, and an unscrupulous one to boot. Justice, human life, he little regarded where his interests and those of his class were concerned. Expediency must rule.
Joh_11:51. Prophesied.—Like Balaam (Numbers 24).
Joh_11:53. Then from that day, etc.—The Pharisees had now overcome their last scruples, and united for evil with the sceptical Sadducees.
Joh_11:54. Jesus therefore, etc.—Ephraim is said by Robinson to be near Bethel; and he identifies it with Ephron (2Ch_13:19), and this Ephron with Ophrah (Jdg_18:23).
Joh_11:55. Purify.—2Ch_30:16-20; Act_21:24.
Joh_11:56-57. Then sought they.—The simple country folk would have heard Jesus gladly; and the commandment of the chief priests and Pharisees was no doubt given with the intention of making our Lord appear to be one unworthy of their regard.
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.—Joh_11:47-57
The unconscious prophecy of Caiaphas.—The wonderful miracle at Bethany could not remain hid. Many of those who had seen it believed. Some of them, however, although they could not doubt the evidence of their senses in the matter of the miracle, appear not to have been drawn more closely to Christ. These went to the Pharisees with the news of the miracle and of the fact that many had believed on the Saviour. It does not seem necessary to seek for either a good or a bad motive in their action. They went with that eagerness to bear news, especially to such as will welcome it, which seems characteristic of some people. The tidings those men brought threw the dominant party into a state of perturbation. A crisis had arrived; and Pharisee and Sadducee were joined in an unholy league against God’s holy child, Jesus.
I. The perplexity of the Jewish leaders in council.—
1. The opening scene in the council of Christ’s enemies reveals the unholy conspirators in a state of pitiful perplexity. They cannot deny Christ’s miracles. They see that if He continues His course a large following will gather around Him, which by ordinary methods they will be unable to control.
2. And then, in spite of all their proud boasts about their freedom (Joh_8:33), they have to acknowledge the dominant power of Rome. They fear that power—fear that, if Jesus attracts a large band of followers, the Roman governor may step in to disperse it, and may tell them, the present religious rulers of the people, that, being incapable, apparently, of exerting any proper authority, they must in every department give up the reins of power.
3. This, no doubt, influenced some. But many of them must have known that the kingdom Christ spoke of setting up was no earthly dominion. There was another influence at the bottom of all this bitter enmity against Jesus. He had put the Sadducees more than once to silence. And this last miracle struck at one of the fundamental tenets of their sect, “that the spirit of man is an emanation of the Deity, and after death returns to Him, so that there can be no resurrection of the body.” Our Lord’s rebuke of this sect made them especially bitter, and indeed the leaders in the plot against Jesus.
4. While the council was in perplexity, and the more law-abiding no doubt shrinking from extreme measures, a man unscrupulous and able brought all to a speedy decision. Caiaphas, the high priest, owed his position to the intervention of the Roman governor, Valerius Gratus, and thus was interested in preventing anything which would arouse the jealousy of Rome. He evidently had sat silent in the council whilst the members were blindly and confusedly dubitating, with cynical scorn expressed in his look. At last he intervened, rating the council for their indecision and weakness, and impressing on them his idea as to what their line of action should be.
II. The counsel of Caiaphas.—
1. He interpreted the desires of the majority of his colleagues which they themselves were afraid to give expression to, far less to carry into execution. His counsel was one of expediency pure and simple. Justice, righteousness, truth, were nothing to him.
2. The present danger must be averted by some means or other, if the position of the Jewish rulers, both toward the people and in relation to the Roman power, was to be maintained. If this Jesus continued to work and gain adherents as He had been doing, then farewell to their authority over the people as teachers and administrators of their law—farewell also, perhaps, to the limited power they still possessed under Rome. Therefore said this bold and evil man, “Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us,” etc. (Joh_11:50). That was his decision: Remove this man by death, and your difficulties vanish.
3. A simple cutting of the knot, Caiaphas! No question as to the antecedents of this Jesus, as to the manner and substance of His teaching, as to the truth of His mighty works, as to whether He has encouraged any feeling of disloyalty among His followers toward the reigning powers. No! simply: This man stands in our way; remove Him, and we shall be able to advance: He seems to endanger our authority; let Him die, and we shall stand secure. It is a counsel which some would count worldly-wise, but its inspiration is from beneath, not from above. “What is necessary is right”; “Necessity knows no law”; “The end justifies the means”: such are Caiaphas’ counsels.
4. Swayed by this dominant mind, even those who had qualms of conscience seem to have yielded to this evil counsel (Joh_11:53). How far had these formal adherents to the law of Moses fallen below its standard of justice between man and man! how far below those Roman conquerors whom they hated, and who prided themselves justly on the protection which their laws afforded to the citizens of the Roman State in all quarters of the world! Caiaphas must bow before the heathen who wrote, “Fiat justitia, ruat cœlum.”
5. And let thy counsel, Caiaphas, appear successful for the time: will it prove so in the end? Has ever true good come from unrighteousness? God, it is true, may and does bring good out of evil,—
“From seeming evil still educing good,
And better thence again.”
Thomson.
But will it be for good to those who do the unrighteous deed, carry out the unrighteous plan? Never!
III. The unconscious prophecy of Caiaphas.—
1. He was high priest. And even though one who was unworthy occupied the office, the office itself had a theocratic dignity, and served a divine purpose. And here God made use of the office. The high priest, who year by year entered into the Holiest of all, “not without blood, which he offered for himself and the errors of the people” (Heb_9:7), is here led unwittingly to prophesy concerning the one offering which was to be made not only for the Jewish “nation,” but for all the children of God scattered abroad, who were thus to be brought into unity (Joh_10:16).
2. “Man proposes, but God disposes.” Caiaphas and his fellow-councillors thought that by getting rid of Jesus they might preserve the small remnant of authority they possessed, and through it might yet regain their national power. In this view he appealed to the better part of the council and the national party, who may even yet have dreamed that Jesus might have some Messianic message for them, and many of whom believed Him to be a prophet. But the appeal of Caiaphas prevailed over their better feelings.
3. And yet by the divine guidance this evil counsel resulted in the true good of the spiritual Israel, in a wider blessing than any mere restitution of the Jewish “nation,” in the state in which it then was, would have been. It would result in the blessed unity of all peoples, which later Judaism had failed to pray and labour for (Joh_12:32; Psalms 67; 1Jn_2:2).
4. But although God could and did bring blessing to all men by the carrying out of the evil counsel of Caiaphas, no blessing, rather the reverse, would come on those who planned and carried it out. These men ostensibly based their action on the danger of the Romans interfering or taking away what power remained to them, etc. (Joh_11:48). They thought to avert this danger by an unrighteous action. But from the moment they carried out their designs that which they feared began to come upon them.
5. The Sadducees sought to crush One who had brought their errors home to them, and had thus given opportunity for triumph to their opponents (Mat_22:34). But lo! when He had been crucified, in place of One who taught the resurrection of the dead there arose multitudes who proclaimed the resurrection of that same Jesus whom they had crucified, and preached the Resurrection with amazing power and results (Act_4:2; Act_23:9).
6. And in the end the power of the Jewish rulers, their temple, their city, and the “nation” itself, passed away amid blood and fire. Unrighteousness may triumph for a time, yet in the end it shall not prevail.
Lessons.—
1. Righteousness is the only safe principle to guide the activity both of governments and individuals. Such merely worldly-wise, unjust, and tyrannical modes of action as that of Caiaphas and all his kind will result only in disaster to those who adopt them. Unrighteousness carries within it the elements of its own punishment and final ruin here and hereafter. The Christian rule of action is:—
“Perish policy and cunning!
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right.”
MacLeod.
2. What has been planned by evil men can in God’s hand be turned to good. He that sits in heaven laughs at their designs; and whilst they go on and often perish in their wickedness, He bends their actions to subserve His own eternal purposes.
ILLUSTRATION
Joh_11:50. Hypocritical excuses for crime.—The real ground of opposition was hatred of the light; the ostensible ground was patriotism, public zeal, loyalty, far-sighted policy. And such is life. The motive in which a deed of sin is done is not the motive which a man allows to others or whispers to himself. Listen to the criminal receiving sentence, and the cause of condemnation is not the enormity of the crime, but the injustice of the country’s law. Hear the man of disorderly life, whom society has expelled from her bosom, and the cause of the expulsion is not his profligacy, but the false slander which has misrepresented him. Take his own account of the matter, and he is innocent, injured, pure. For there are names so tender, and so full of fond endearment, with which this world sugars over its dark guilt towards God with a crust of superficial whiteness, that the sin, on which eighteen centuries have looked back appalled, was, to the doers of that sin, nothing atrocious, but respectable, defensible, nay even, under the circumstances, necessary.—F. W. Robertson.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
William B. Godbey 1900 · Public Domain On v47 Joh 11:47-54. “Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened…
CONDEMNATORY VERDICT OF THE SANHEDRIN
Joh 11:47-54. “Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin, and continued to say, What shall we do? because this man is performing many miracles.” If the leading ministers and Church authorities had not stood in the way of the people, Israel would have received Jesus unanimously, turned evangelists, and preached Him to the world, bringing on the millennium long ago. The truth of the matter is clear. The high priests, Pharisees, and Sanhedrin had so yielded to Satan and grieved the Holy Spirit as to superinduce the departure of the latter, and the actual, diabolical possession of the former, till they had crossed the dead-line and were unconvincible.
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“If we thus let Him alone, all will believe on Him.” What a frank confession of the truth, if they had not meddled with them and obstinately stood between the people and Jesus, they would all have believed on Him. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Jesus. The present holiness movement, like that of Luther, Wesley, and others, is Jesus again walking upon the earth in His spiritual manifestation, inviting the people to enter the kingdom of holiness, as He did in the days of His incarnation. If let alone, the Churches would en masse seek holiness, and inundate the world with salvation. The leading preachers are still in the way, as in the days of Christ.
“The Romans will come, and take away both our place and nation.” Thirty- three years Judea had been a Roman province, every vestige of their former freedom swept away. They were looking for Christ, and all believed that He was to be the King of the Jews when He came; in which case they knew that mighty Rome would be arrayed against them, with her invincible armies, and their only chance to have their own king was to conquer the Romans, an utter impossibility, as they ruled the whole world in one vast, consolidated despotism. This prophecy actually did come true. Though they rejected Christ, they erelong revolted against the Romans, and fought for their independence till literally exterminated, with the exception of a few poor people, driven away to the ends of the earth; while the Romans not only destroyed Jerusalem, but desolated all Palestine. So the very calamities they here deprecate as an excuse for the rejection of Christ, actually overtook them.
“And a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, You do not know nor consider that it is profitable to you that one man may die for the people, and not the whole nation perish.” This prophecy is literally true, and yet you see it was uttered by that wicked high priest, whom Satan had captured. The next verse explains it. “He spoke this, not from himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but that He may gather together in one the children of God which had been scattered abroad.” The elect of God have been in all nations, in all ages, as will be revealed when the assembled universe shall stand before the Great White Throne. Before Jesus came on the earth in His Incarnate Personality and preached the gospel, the Holy Spirit revealed Jehovah — i.e., God in Christ — to the humble, sincere, true, and appreciative souls of every age and nation, who, in the absence of the written Word and a knowledge of the Incarnate Redeemer, walking in the light of nature, conscience, providence, and the Holy Spirit — even the savage, in his primeval wilds, seeing God in the clouds and hearing Him in the winds,
“Whose soul proud science never taught to stray Far as the solar walk or milky-way,” —
were accepted of God, like Cornelius, the heathen Roman centurion. The advent of Christ marked a signal epoch in the history of redemption, after which no soul who stubbornly rejects Him can be saved; meanwhile the Christhood of Jesus becomes the great dogma on which the visible Church is built in all the world. However differing in non-essential matters, she must be a unit on the Christhood of Jesus. (Mat 16:18.) In this instance, we have a demonstrative proof that the gifts of the Spirit are not invariably limited to the sanctified nor to the regenerated, as here we have a demonstrative case, in which the gift of prophecy, pronounced by Paul the most important, is conferred on Caiaphas, for the moment, who at that time was leading the Council against Jesus, and ready to sign His death-warrant, which he did a few days afterward.
“Therefore from that day they counseled in order that they may kill Him.” Ebouleusanto, “counseled,” is in the aorist tense, which means an instantaneous and complete performance, setting forth the fact that the Sanhedrin, on that occasion, passed a formal verdict condemning Him to death. So potent and overwhelming was the popular influence, superinduced by the resurrection of Lazarus, that they, after deliberate counsel and consideration, came to the conclusion that, despite all they could do, the people would rally and crown Him King, thus precipitating on them a war with the Romans, which could only end in their extermination. Consequently they concluded that it was better for one to die than that multitudes should perish, a verdict so common among the Orientals; meanwhile, the spirit of prophecy coming on Caiaphas, the high priest, in a thrilling proclamation of a clear Messianic prophecy setting forth the vicarious atonement. Thus we see a strange combination of concurrent events: the true prophecy of Caiaphas, inspired by the Holy Ghost, proclaiming the necessity for one to die for the people rather than that all perish, and at the same time the seventy sages constituting the Sanhedrin corroborating that prophecy from a purely selfish and secular consideration, illustrating how wonderfully “God makes the wrath of man to praise Him, and restrains the remainder of wrath;” i.e., when the wrath of man can no longer be made subservient to the glory of God, then He puts His hand on it and restrains it altogether. “Therefore, Jesus no longer was walking about among the Jews, but departed thence into the country near the desert, into the city called Ephraim, and there abode with His disciples.” Ephraim here is identical with Ephron in O. T. After that condemnatory verdict of the Sanhedrin, immediately following the resurrection of Lazarus, finding it unsafe to abide among the Jews, He retired to this quiet, rural retreat on the border of the desert, known in the N. T. as “the wilderness of Judea.” I have journeyed through it four times.
William B. Godbey, Commentary on the New Testament (1896–1900) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
J. W. McGarvey 1914 · Public Domain On v47 J. W. McGarvey's The Fourfold Gospel [XCIV. Retiring Before…
J. W. McGarvey's The Fourfold Gospel [XCIV. Retiring Before the Decree].
XCIV. RETIRING BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN'S DECREE. (Jerusalem and Ephraim in Judæa.) dJOHN XI. 47-54.
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d47 The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council [called a meeting of the Sanhedrin], and said, What do we? [Thus they reproach one another for having done nothing in a present and urgent crisis. As two of their number (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathæa) were afterwards in communications with Christians, it was easy for the disciples to find out what occurred on this notable occasion.] for this man doeth many signs. [They did not deny the miracles, therefore their conduct was the more inexcusable.] 48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him [they found that despite the threat of excommunication, Jesus was still winning disciples under the very shadow of Jerusalem]: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation. [The course of Jesus seemed to undermine Judaism, and to leave it a prey to the innovations of Rome. It is uncertain what is meant by the noun "place." Meyer says it refers to Jerusalem; Luecke to the temple; while Bengel says that place and nation are a proverbial expression, meaning "our all;" but the Greek language furnishes no example of such proverbial use. It is more likely that place refers to their seats in the Sanhedrin, which they would be likely to lose if the influence of Jesus became, as they feared, the dominant power. They [527] feared then that the Romans would, by removing them, take away the last vestige of civil and ecclesiastical authority, and then eventually obliterate the national life.] 49 But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year [that notable, fatal year; he was high priest from A. D. 18 to A. D. 36], said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor do ye account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. [His words are a stinging rebuke, which may be paraphrased thus: "If you had any sense you would not sit there asking, 'What do we?' when there is but one thing to do; viz.: Let Jesus die and save the people." Expediency, not justice, is his law.] 51 Now this he said not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; 52 and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one [ Gal_3:28, Col_3:11] the children of God that are scattered abroad. [The expression "not of himself" is a very common Hebrew idiom for "not of himself only." God had a meaning in his words different from his own. In earlier, better days the high priest had represented the divine headship of the nation, and through him, by means of the Urim and Thummin, the inspired oracles and decisions had been wont to come. This exalted honor had been lost through unworthiness. But now, according to the will of God, the high priest prophesies in spite of himself, as did Balaam and Saul, performing the office without the honor.] 53 So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death. [Thus, acting on the advice of Caiaphas the Sanhedrin condemned Jesus without a hearing and sought means to carry their condemnation to execution. Quieting their consciences by professing to see such political dangers as made it necessary to kill Jesus for the public welfare, they departed utterly from justice, and took the course which brought upon them the very evils which they were professedly seeking to avoid.] 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed [528] thence into the country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there he tarried with the disciples. [Ephraim is supposed to be the city called Ophrah at Jos_18:23 and Ephraim at 2Ch_13:19. Dr. Robinson and others identify it with the village now called et Taiybeh, which is situated on a conical-shaped hill about sixteen miles northeast of Jerusalem and five miles east of Bethel. It is on the borders of a wilderness, and commands an extensive view of the Jordan valley. Here Jesus remained till shortly before his last Passover.]
[FFG 527-529]
J. W. McGarvey (with Philip Y. Pendleton), Commentaries on the New Testament (The Fourfold Gospel, 1914; Acts; and the epistles) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Paul E. Kretzmann 1924 · Public Domain On v47 The Council of the Jews concerning Christ’s Removal.
The Council of the Jews concerning Christ’s Removal.
The prophecy of Caiaphas:
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v. 47. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council and said, What do we? For this man doeth many miracles.
v. 48. 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.
v. 49. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
v. 50. nor consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
v. 51. And this spake he not of himself, but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation,
v. 52. and not for that nation only, but that also He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
The matter of the raising of Lazarus was deemed so important that an immediate meeting of the Sanhedrin seemed advisable. Here the chief priests, who were Sadducees, and their enemies, the Pharisees, came together in perfect harmony, since the object was to remove the hated Nazarene. When the meeting had been assembled, they asked one another the frank question: Here this man is doing many signs and miracles, and what are we doing about it? They could not deny the fact that miracles were being performed by Jesus, but they hardened their hearts as to their meaning and purpose. Their one concern was as to the possible consequences to themselves and to the Jewish nation as a political unit. If they would take no steps to hinder this ministry of miracles, the result would be that all the common people would believe in Him as the Messiah. The chances were that they would then proclaim Him king of Judea, and this, in turn, would result in the Jews’ losing the last remnant of political power and standing. The Romans would simply come and destroy the city and lead the people away into captivity. The Jewish leaders did not know that they were thereby stating the fate of both city and nation which came upon them because of their rejection of the King of Grace. But while the members of the Sanhedrin were thus debating the question, Caiaphas, the high priest of that year, arose and made a statement amounting to a solution of the problem as it lay before them. He told them: Ye know nothing at all. They were talking nonsense and offering no sensible means for removing the difficulty. They did not consider the most obvious mode of procedure. The most expedient thing would obviously be to have this one man, who, in their opinion, was responsible for the agitation and unrest among the people, die. As Caiaphas put the matter: It is expedient for you that one man die for, in the stead of, the people, and the whole nation perish not. Here was cold-blooded craftiness; for the suggestion evidently was to have Jesus put to death as quickly as possible. By sacrificing Jesus, they would both rid themselves of a troublesome person and give to the Roman authorities an evidence of their loyalty. But aside from their meaning for the situation at that time, the words of Caiaphas, as the evangelist points out, were an unconscious, but none the less glorious prophecy. Jesus should die, not only for Israel, but for the whole world, and His death should result in a gathering and final uniting into one great spiritual communion of all that would believe on Him and thus receive the benefit of His death. In all nations of the earth are such as will become the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. They were at that time still scattered far and wide, but as the preaching of the Gospel has reached them, they have turned from their idols to the living God and have joined the communion of saints.
Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v47 General Information:
General Information:
Because so many people have told them that Lazarus is alive again, the chief priests and Pharisees gather the Jewish council for a meeting.
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Then the chief priests
"Then the leaders among the priests"
Then
The author uses this word to tell the reader that the events that begin in verse 47 are a result of the events of John 11:45-46.
What will we do?
It is implied here that the council members are talking about Jesus. AT: "What are we going to do about Jesus?" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
all will believe in him
The Jewish leaders were afraid that the people would try to make Jesus their king. AT: "everyone will trust in him and rebel against Rome" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
the Romans will come
This is a synecdoche for the Roman army. AT: "the Roman army will come" (See: Synecdoche)
take away both our place and our nation
"destroy both our temple and our nation"
translationWords
chief priests
Pharisee
council
miracle
believe
Rome
nation
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v48 11:48 The council’s deliberations unveiled their fears that everyone…
11:48 The council’s deliberations unveiled their fears that everyone would believe in him. If people believed that the Messiah had come, the political implications would be threatening. The Romans viewed Jewish messiahs with suspicion, and the movement surrounding Jesus might inspire them to invade and destroy Jerusalem and its Temple.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.