v.v. 47-53
Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” Here we have the reaction of the religious rulers after a mighty display of divine power over the grave. They were in therefore asking, 'What are we doing?" However, they let their introspection lead them deeper into the dark. For what follows resulting in a dark decision follows from many manifestations of their opposition towards Jesus. Sure, great question, but they were full speed ahead down a slippery slope. They found themselves revealing their fear of the Romans being greater than their fear of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the Messiah, Immanuel, Christ. This fear was a result of them laying ownership to that which was not theirs. Did they earn their position as a priest? NO! It was given to them by God as being from the loins of Aaron, a Levite. Their position and their nation was a gift, unearned, by God. They would be right to say that the Romans might come and take away God's priesthood and God's nation of Israel. The will of God will prevail. The concerns of man which may be driven by powerful decisions of powerful men, is all subservient to the will and plan of God. But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.”
Caiaphas speaks for the group of questioning Pharisees and council members. He appears to have the good of the people and the nation in his thoughts. However, he is dominated by the concern of the group as a whole to preserve '(their) place and (their) nation.' He is falsely driven to protect that which he falsely think is his and appears to be wise. Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. The apparent wisdom of Caiaphas was short-sighted and limited at best. For he was unknowingly prophesying concerning the full extent of the death of Jesus. The death of Jesus will affect the nation of Israel and the children of God from around the world. They will be gathered together. The word translated 'gather' in the NASB is συναγάγῃ (3rd Person Singular Aorist Active Subjunctive) meaning: bring together for a deliberation or festivity; in a hostile sense as in gathering for war; bring together, join in one, unite as in marriage; and join together, make friends of, reconcile. The concerns of the Pharisees, the council and of Caiaphas are valid but they, if they seek that which of God instead of themselves and their limited perceptions, they will be an example for a massive gathering to God. So from that day on they..... What they meant for 'bad,' God, having a much larger plan, meant it for their 'good.' So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. This a climax in the hostility towards Jesus. John, our author, was careful in plotting its growth: 5:16; 7:1, 32, 45; 8:59; 9:22; 10:39. "It is ironic that these men believed they could put to death permanently One who could raise the dead (Lazarus) - The Nelson Study Bible, NKJV, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 1997, p. 1787. v. 54
Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.The wilderness is usually thought of the area of the Judean Desert extending to Jericho.
SUMMARY
This is a passage provides great insight into man. On the one hand we have the religious rulers. They are concerned with self preservation. As long as their positions and lifestyle are preserved they are content. Therefore, they are willing to do most anything, whether good or bad, short lived or not. Therefore, their goals are defined to the accomplishment of that self preservation. On the other hand, we have a veiled view into the matured perspective of John our author. At the time of the writing of his gospel account, John is well advanced in years and in exile for his faith in Jesus. I am sure at the time of Caiaphas, the Pharisees and the council issuing a death warrant for Jesus, that John did not see Caiaphas' thoughts as being prophecy. For how can view such a holy interpretation as coming from such a man bent on doing evil. I believe that John's attributing Caiaphas to the role of a prophet came from maturity in the Lord. He came to embrace the whole redeeming and reconciling plan of God.
APPLICATION
What is your purpose in life? Is it to maintain a status quo? To make it through life with the greatest success in preserving the life and health of yourself and those dear to you? Or, is it to glorify God and accept His will? See life as He sees it? For you are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God!
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