Why Jesus Must Die! (John 11:45-53)

THE COUNCIL MEETING

The chief priests and the Pharisees called a special meeting. They asked,

 

"What are we accomplishing? Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." (John 11:47-48)

According to the commentary by Matthew Henry, this council was called, not only for joint advice, but for mutual irritation; that as iron sharpens iron, and as coals are to burning coals and wood to fire, so they might exasperate and inflame one another with enmity and rage against Christ and his doctrine.

The key agenda, the matter that was debated, was what course they should take with this Jesus, to stop the growth of his interest. Note: (1) they have witnessed and acknowledged the truth of Christ's miracles; (2) they considered what is to be done, and chided themselves that they have not done something sooner to crush him; (3) they pretended to be afraid of the future of the country - if we do not silence him, "all men will believe in him!",  and both our place (self) and our nation (country) will be taken away.

Note that it was "self" before "country". They pretended that their continued tolerance of Christ's gospel would bring desolation upon them by the Romans. In truth, they were more concerned for their own wealth and safety more than for truth and duty. Again drawing on Matthew Henry's commentary, 

"the enemies of Christ and his gospel have often coloured their enmity with a seeming care for the public good and common safety, and in order to this, have branded his prophets and ministers as troublers of Israel, and men that turn the world upside down." 

So why did the religious people wanted to silence Jesus? Educated and wealthy, they were politically influential in the nation... they hated Jesus because he endangered their secure lifestyles and taught a message they could not accept: a kingdom in which leaders served (instead of ruled) had no appeal to them. 

THE RESOLUTION 

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke: "You know nothing at all! You do not realise that it is better for you that one man die for the people than the whole nation perish." (John 11:49-50)

Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people... (John 18:14). Note: (1) the messenger: Caiaphas was the high priest; (2) the message: some way or other must be found to put Jesus to death; and (3) reason and justice are often run down with a high hand - "you know nothing", it is common for those in authority to impose their corrupt dictates by virtue of insinuation; because they should be the wisest and the best, to expect that every body should believe they are so.

 

Caiaphas does not say, let him be silenced, imprisoned, banished; but die he must. He insists upon a maxim in politics, that the welfare of communities is to be preferred before that of particular persons. It is expedient that one man die for the people.

 

 

THE OUTCOME

So, from that day on they plotted to take Jesus' life (John 11:53). The result of the debate is a resolve of the council to put Jesus to death. Two considerable advances were now made in their accursed design agaist Christ:

(1) what they have thought of severally now they jointly concurred in, and so strengthened the hands of one of another in this wickeness, and proceeded with great assurance.

(2) what before they wished done, but wanted a color for, now they are furnished with a plausible pretence to justify themselves in,  and so satisfy, if not the personal, yet the political conscience, as some subtly disguish. 

 

Many will on very securely in doing an evil thing as long as they have but something to say in excuse for it. Now this resolution of theirs to put him to death, right or wrong, proves that all the formality of a trial, which Jesus afterwards underwent, was but show and pretence.  

So why did the religious people wanted to silence Jesus? In John 19:7, the Jew insisted, "we have a law, and according to that law, he (Jesus) must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God.