Summary of John 11:45-57
Many believed in Jesus after Lazarus’ resurrection, but many did not and told the Sanhedrin what had happened. They believed that the Romans would oppress them and take away their power/control of Israel if Jesus and his powers were to be believed. They said it was better for one man to die for the country than all of them, so they began to plot his death.
Jesus withdrew to Ephraim with his disciples to hide. Jesus did not go to immediately to Passover because orders had been given to arrest him on sight.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 5: John 11:45-57
12) Many believed in Jesus after Lazarus’ resurrection, but many did not and told the Sanhedrin what had happened.
13a) “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.” They were afraid the whole nation would perish.
b) Their primary focus and motivation was to keep power for themselves. They believed the Romans would take away their autonomy, and they did not want that. We must always be aware of the motivation of our own decisions, as many times we make decisions out of fear or self-preservation.
14) It is ironic because that is exactly why Jesus came to earth — to die for us so that we may all live! Caiaphas is speaking of the nation of Israel, but Jesus saved all of us forever. God loves us!
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 5: John 11:45-57
I love how jealousy, fear, and the desire for power can be man’s main motivations, but in Jesus, it’s always love for us!
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 15, Day 5: John 11:45-57
We know what happened when the Sanhedrin was called because someone who was there would later become a Christian (maybe even Joseph of Arimathea). They believed he was the Messiah, and now they were afraid they would lose power.
Ironic that it is just because the Pharisees did not let Christ alone that we believe and worship Him.
In fact, the Romans would sack Jerusalem and destroy the temple, but it had nothing to do with Jesus.
It’s never moral to kill an innocent man, even to save a country.
Now, the higher officials wanted Jesus dead.
Ephraim is north of Jerusalem. Jesus’ time had not yet come, so he retreated again until Passover.
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