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In this lesson:
Anyone knowing Jesus' whereabouts should contact the authorities (11:57). Study Tip: Find the truth in each passage of the Bible. Decide how that truth is relevant to you. Then determine how you can apply that truth to your life. |
Caiaphas, the High Priest.
By an unknown artist. |
Who was -
Caiaphas -
Joseph Caiaphas was the Jewish high priest appointed by Pontius Pilate's predecessor, the Roman governor of Judaea, Valerius Gratus. Caiaphas served as the leader of the Sanhedrin for eighteen years (AD 18-36). He plotted Jesus' arrest, illegally tried Him in the dead of night, and then pressured Pilate into crucifying Him. Later, he tried to cover up the resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15) and spent years persecuting Christians, including John and Peter (Acts 4:6-10). Caiaphas was married to the former high priest Annas' daughter (John 18:13). He was eventually removed from office by the Romans. What became of Caiaphas is unknown, although legend has it that he converted to Christianity.
Caiaphas -
Joseph Caiaphas was the Jewish high priest appointed by Pontius Pilate's predecessor, the Roman governor of Judaea, Valerius Gratus. Caiaphas served as the leader of the Sanhedrin for eighteen years (AD 18-36). He plotted Jesus' arrest, illegally tried Him in the dead of night, and then pressured Pilate into crucifying Him. Later, he tried to cover up the resurrection (Matthew 28:11-15) and spent years persecuting Christians, including John and Peter (Acts 4:6-10). Caiaphas was married to the former high priest Annas' daughter (John 18:13). He was eventually removed from office by the Romans. What became of Caiaphas is unknown, although legend has it that he converted to Christianity.
The Gospel According to St. John
The King James Bible
The King James Bible
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John 11:47-57
The high council plots to kill Jesus 47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. 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. 49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. 53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. 55 And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast? 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him. |
Margin notes:
"A council." (11:47) - The Jewish high court, called the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was a powerful religious and political committee made up of seventy chief priests, elders, scribes, and other religious leaders (Matthew 26:3; 26:59; Mark 14:53) headed by the high priest. They settled religious disputes and handled matters pertaining to Judaism. The Sanhedrin was given far-ranging authority by the Roman occupiers and had its own police force to arrest people. But because they had abused their power and executed people friendly to Rome on trumped-up charges, they were no longer allowed to issue the death penalty (John 18:31). For that, they needed the Romans. The Sanhedrin disappeared after the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. "What do we? for this man doeth many miracles." (11:47) - "What do we do, this man performs many miracles?" Some of the Pharisees' followers witnessed Lazarus' resurrection (11:46) and spoke of it in such detail that even the Pharisees believed it. But instead of following Jesus, they were at their wits end what to do with Him. See "Todays Question" below. "The Romans shall come." (11:48) - The Pharisees feared the Roman army, who, at the first sign of civil disruption, were quick to intervene in Jewish affairs. "The high priest that same year." (11:49) - The high priest (such as Caiaphas) acted as a mediator between God and mankind by offering up prayers on behalf of the people. They were supposed to enjoy a lifetime position (Exodus 40:15), but the Romans frequently stepped in and replaced any high priest they didn't like. Most Jews resented this intrusion into their religious matters and regarded Annas, Caiaphas' predecessor deposed by the Romans, as the legitimate high priest. Jesus became the final "high priest" (Hebrew 3:1) and mediator when He made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross (Romans 8:34; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17; 9:26; 10:10). "Nor consider that it is expedient for us." (11:50) - Means, "Don't you know what is best for us." "One man should die for the people." (11:50) - Unbeknownst to Caiaphas, this was God's plan. That Jesus should be sacrificed for all. "This spake he not of himself." (11:51) - "Although Caiaphas saw only the present, temporal significance of his words, he was led to make the statement by God who intended the higher sense. It was not necessary that Caiaphas realize the prophetic character of his counsel." (From "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; page 195) "They took counsel together." (11:53) - "They plotted together." See also Matthew 26:4 and Mark 14:1. "Ephraim." (11:54) - A small city located ten miles northeast of Jerusalem between Bethel and Jericho. "There continued with his disciples." (11:54) - Jesus and His followers stayed in Ephraim for two months. "Passover was nigh." (11:55) - "Passover was near." "Up to Jerusalem." (11:55) - Jerusalem sits in the Judaean Mountains approximately 2,500 feet above sea level. "Purify themselves." (11:55) - Means to ceremonially cleanse. A defiled person could not join in the Passover festivities until purified (Leviticus 7:21; Numbers 9:6). "Then sought they for Jesus." (11:56) - Pilgrims arriving in Jerusalem for Passover heard about this great man Jesus and went looking for Him. His popularity troubled the Pharisees. "If any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him." (11:57) - "If anyone knows where Jesus is, they should report it so they can arrest Him." |
New Living Translation
John 11:47-57
47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. "What are we going to do?" they asked each other. "This man certainly performs many miraculous signs.
48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation."
49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, "You don't know what you're talking about!
50 You don't realize that it's better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed."
51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation.
52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.
53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus' death.
54 As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.
55 It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began.
56 They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, "What do you think? He won't come for Passover, will he?"
57 Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. "What are we going to do?" they asked each other. "This man certainly performs many miraculous signs.
48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation."
49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, "You don't know what you're talking about!
50 You don't realize that it's better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed."
51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation.
52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.
53 So from that time on, the Jewish leaders began to plot Jesus' death.
54 As a result, Jesus stopped his public ministry among the people and left Jerusalem. He went to a place near the wilderness, to the village of Ephraim, and stayed there with his disciples.
55 It was now almost time for the Jewish Passover celebration, and many people from all over the country arrived in Jerusalem several days early so they could go through the purification ceremony before Passover began.
56 They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, "What do you think? He won't come for Passover, will he?"
57 Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.
This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
Key verses from this passage
"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." (11:47-48)
"Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him." (11:57)
"Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him." (11:57)
Today's Question:
1. Why did the Pharisees' want to kill the Messiah? (11:53)
"The Bible is the book we live by. Bible reading is the means by which we learn, and keep fresh in our minds, the ideas that mold our lives. Our lives are the product of our thoughts. To live right, we need to think right."
(Henry Hampton Halley, minister and religious writer (1874-1965).
1. Why did the Pharisees' want to kill the Messiah? (11:53)
"The Bible is the book we live by. Bible reading is the means by which we learn, and keep fresh in our minds, the ideas that mold our lives. Our lives are the product of our thoughts. To live right, we need to think right."
(Henry Hampton Halley, minister and religious writer (1874-1965).
Answer: (Do you agree?)
1. The Pharisees wanted to kill Jesus because of their arrogance, jealousy, ignorance, fear of the Romans (11:48) and they didn't want to lose their positions of authority. The Pharisees' heard the eyewitness accounts of Lazarus being raised from the dead (11:46) and saw Jesus perform other miracles with their own eyes (Matthew 12:9-14; 21:14-15; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11). There was no doubt that Jesus could do the impossible, they knew that (11:47). Now, they had to decide if they were willing to give up their power and status to become followers of Christ. These very Pharisees' who asked Jesus for a miracle so they could believe (Matthew 12:38, 16:1) now had all the proof they should have needed. Yet they plotted (11:53) to put an end to Christ before everyone believed (11:48).
Application thought for the day:
If you were alive in Jesus' time, would you have gone against your religious leaders and supported Him?
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Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress Books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies; " "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
© 2026 evolke
© 2026 evolke