

- #LAZARUS BIBLE STORY THEOLOGY HOW TO#
- #LAZARUS BIBLE STORY THEOLOGY TRIAL#
- #LAZARUS BIBLE STORY THEOLOGY SERIES#
As Jesus had said, “No one takes from me, but I lay it down of my own accord” (John 10:18). It’s important to note that these things did not happen at the whim of Caiaphas, the priests, or Pilate, for it was all part of God’s plan to save the world through the death of His Son. Pilate acquiesced, and Jesus was sentenced to die, beaten, led outside the city, and crucified (verses 26–35).

When Pilate attempted to release Jesus by giving them a choice between Him and the convicted felon Barabbas, “the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed” (Matthew 27:20). Caiaphas and the other religious leaders stirred up the crowd against Jesus.
#LAZARUS BIBLE STORY THEOLOGY SERIES#
Jesus endured another series of trials that night under Roman jurisdiction. However, since the Jews could not legally execute prisoners, Caiaphas sent Jesus to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
#LAZARUS BIBLE STORY THEOLOGY TRIAL#
The result of the sham trial was that Jesus was pronounced “worthy of death” and beaten and mocked (verses 66–67). Caiaphas had what he was looking for he tore his robe and cried, “Blasphemy!” (verse 65). But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven” (verse 64). Jesus replied just as directly, “You have said so. Finally, Caiaphas stood up and addressed Jesus directly, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God” (verse 63). When Jesus stood before Caiaphas and the entire Sanhedrin, many false witnesses were brought forward, but nothing was found to warrant a death sentence (Matthew 26:59–60). After he had questioned Jesus, Annas sent Jesus to his son-in-law Caiaphas, who as the high priest would be the one to rule on Jesus’ fate. When the Jewish leaders had Jesus arrested at Passover, they first brought Him before Annas (John 18:13). Through the Sanhedrin’s wicked actions, God would save both the Jewish nation and anyone else who would believe in Christ (verses 51–52). This statement calling for Jesus’ death was a cold, calculating move of political expediency at the same time, Caiaphas was unknowingly prophesying about God’s plan for Jesus’ death.
#LAZARUS BIBLE STORY THEOLOGY HOW TO#
They were unsure how to proceed until Caiaphas spoke: “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” (John 11:50). Because of these things, they were often at odds with Jesus due to His teachings about humility, heaven, and His own deity.Īfter Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, both the Pharisees and the Sadducees met at Caiaphas’s palace to express their concern that Jesus’ growing number of followers would incite the anger of the Roman Empire (Matthew 26:2 John 11:47). In terms of theology, Sadducees denied the afterlife and any existence of the spiritual world (angels, demons, etc.).

They held the majority seat in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high court, over which Caiaphas ruled for the 18 years he served as high priest. Sadducees were often wealthy men of high position and, as they sought to appease their Roman rulers, were heavily involved in politics. Caiaphas was also a member of one of the ruling Jewish sects, the Sadducees. He was a strong opponent of Jesus and His message.Ĭaiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas, the former high priest, which may have accounted for his own rise to power. Joseph Caiaphas was the Jewish high priest during the time of Jesus’ ministry and a few years afterwards.
