John 11:45-57 | What's happening (and who's involved)?

Let's carefully consider what is going on in this context. Jesus just got done with raising Lazarus from the dead, and now we are dealing with the results of that. Many Jews came alongside Mary and Martha to support them and mourn with them for the death of Lazarus. When Jesus shows up on the scene, they kick it off quickly with mockery. However, after the sign Jesus performed, some believed in Him. Others did not.

Among those that did not, they went to the Pharisees and told them what they saw Jesus do (evidently there was some belief there). The chief priests and the Pharisees get a council together to finally determine what must become of Jesus. They were intimidated by His power and feared that if He was allowed to run free, He would ruin the Synagogue's relationship with Rome.

For a bit of context, under Roman rule and law, it was required for each religion to honor and worship Caesar. The Jews had a bit of a special pass where they did not have to do that, due to several different factors. If out of their midst, one came and taught something different that the people started believing, it was no longer under the protection of the permitted religion of Judaism. It could cause the Jews to lose their place among the Romans and have an illegal religion.

So out of self preservation, they get this council together to decide what to do with Jesus. The High Priest, Caiaphas, steps up to the scene and explains how this one man would die for the whole nation instead of the nation perishing. This he had prophesied earlier in the year concerning Jesus. Scripture also notes that Caiaphas also prophesied that Jesus would gather in on the children of God who were scattered abroad. So the Jews, from that point on, plotted to kill Jesus.

As a result, Jesus was no longer able to walk openly among the Jews. He had to escape from their midst and stayed in Ephraim, remaining there with His disciples who also now had to be on the run.

Scripture notes that Passover was near, so many were making their pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate this feast. The chief priests and Pharisees spread word that anyone who knew where Jesus was would need to report it, that they might seize Him.

So the result of Jesus raising the dead is that they would seek for Him to be dead instead. Neat.

What observations are you making in this passage?