ONE MAN MUST DIE FOR THE NATION

Passage: John 11:45-57

Key verse: 50

NIV

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary,(A) and had seen what Jesus did,(B) believed in him.(C) 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees(D) called a meeting(E) of the Sanhedrin.(F)

“What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs.(G) 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.”

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas,(H) who was high priest that year,(I) spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”(J)

51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.(K) 53 So from that day on they plotted to take his life.(L)

54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea.(M) Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples.

55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover,(N) many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing(O) before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus,(P) and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” 57 But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 (A)Many of the Jews therefore, (B)who had come with Mary and (C)had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees (D)gathered (E)the council and said, (F)“What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and (G)the Romans will come and take away both our (H)place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, (I)Caiaphas, (J)who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that (K)it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but (L)being high priest that year (M)he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and (N)not for the nation only, but also (O)to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they (P)made plans to put him to death.

54 Jesus therefore (Q)no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.

55 Now (R)the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and (S)many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover (T)to purify themselves. 56 (U)They were looking for[a] Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

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Footnotes
  1. John 11:56 Greek were seeking for
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Everyone will believe in him (45-53)

When Lazarus came out of the tomb, many of the Jews who had come to see Mary put their faith in Jesus. The Pharisees, however, called an emergency meeting of the Sanhedrin. They were not concerned about truth but about politics. They decided that Jesus must die. Caiaphas the high priest tried to justify their decision, but one can't justify murder on the grounds of expediency. God was in control, however. He used this high priest to speak a deeper truth than he knew (50). Caiaphas prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation. Jesus died for the Jewish nation and for the world, for he died to destroy our enemy Satan and save us from sin. God's love always wins.

2. Jesus withdrew to wait for the Passover (54-57)

Jesus the Lamb of God must die for the sins of the world at Passover time, so he withdrew to a quiet village to wait.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to see your sovereign hand in every circumstance; help me to trust you and wait on your time.

One Word: Jesus died to save the world