John 8:1-11
Jesus Forgives The Adulterous Women
John 8:12-30
Jesus Predicts His Death
John 8:31-38
The Truth Will Set You Free
John 8:39-47
You Are of Your Father The Devil
John 8:48-59
Jesus’ Claims To His Identity
John 9:1-12
Contentment in Any Circumstance
John 9:13-23
Trouble with the Jewish Leaders
John 9:24-34
The Testimony of the Healed Man
John 9:35-41
The Pharisees Blindless
John 10:14-30
The Good Shepherd Knows His Sheep
John 10:22-30
Rejected by the Religious Leaders
John 10:31-42
Renewed Efforts to Stone Jesus
John 11:1-6
News of Lazarus’ Death
John 11:7-16
The Disciples Warn Jesus About Going to Judea
John 11:17-27
Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha
John 11:28-37
Emotions of Jesus
John 11:38-44
Jesus Calls Lazarus Forth From the Grave
John 11:45-52
The Sanhedrin plot to kill Jesus
John 11:53-57
The People arrive for the Passover
John 12:1-11
Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet
John 12:12-19
Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Into Jerusalem
John 12:20-26
Some Greeks Seek Jesus
John 12:27-36
Jesus Predicts His Death
John 12:37-50
Hardened Hearts and the Fear of Man
John 13:1-11
Humbleness, Holiness and Happiness
John 13:12-20
Happiness Comes by Serving Others
John 13:21-30
Jesus Prediction of His Betrayal
John 13:31-38
Christ’s Farewell Sermon to His Disciples
John 14:1-7
Jesus Encourages the Troubled Disciples
John 14:8-14
The Measure, Means, and Might of Prayer
The Sanhedrin plot to kill Jesus
John 11:45–52
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
A dignified-looking, middle-aged gentleman decided to take advantage of a special sale and buy his wife a pair of nylons. After waiting an hour on the fringe of a screaming, pushing mob of women, he plunged toward the counter with both arms flying. Suddenly a shrill voice hollere … More
Many of those who witnessed the miracle (the raising of Lazarus from the dead) believed in Jesus (v. 45). A Faith based solely on miracles is not the best faith (see John 2:23), but it’s better than no faith at all. Others who witnessed the miracle went and reported to the Pharisees what they had seen (v. 46). When Jesus presents Himself there are always two responses. Some believe on Him, and others are hardened in their sin.
Upon learning of this, the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin) met to discuss what to do with Jesus (v. 47). Jesus’s popularity, they feared, would continue to grow with each miracle he performed. More and more people were concluding that Jesus was the Messiah. If He gathered too many followers, He might get the attention of the Roman authorities, which could hurt the Jewish cause (v. 48). Behind closed doors, they admitted that Jesus had performed miracles, though publicly they did not admit this. Likely, it was Nicodemus who later reported these things to John.
Caiaphas, the high priest, reasons that if Jesus lived, the nation would die (vv. 49-52). In the interest of patriotism, he said, Jesus had to die so that the nation would live. Incidentally, Caiaphas had received his current position and authority from the Romans. While Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin viewed Jesus as a scapegoat to be sacrificed to preserve their religious power and authority, God viewed Jesus as the perfect lamb whose sacrificial death would save all who put their faith in him.
These leaders thought they were in control of the situation, but instead God was working out His predetermined plan (Acts 2:23). Christ would die to save the nation spiritually, whereas Caiaphas intended for Him to die to save the nation politically.
Application
Have you known of a Christian leader who felt threatened by another Christian who was successful? This was a big problem with the religious leaders in Jesus’ day and is still a problem today. Lord, help me to rejoice when another person is praised, and I am not.
John 11:45-52 (English Standard Version)
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