TODAY’S READINGS

Today’s Gospel reading (Jn 11:45-56), coming immediately after the astonishing event of Jesus resuscitating Lazarus, shows the extremely heightened concerns of the Jewish religious leaders about Jesus and His popularity are significantly ramping up, so much so that the whole Sanhedrin convenes to discuss what to do about the situation. The high priest, Caiaphas, speaks:

“You know nothing,
nor do you consider that it is better for you
that one man should die instead of the people,
so that the whole nation may not perish.” (vv. 49-50)

“Caiaphas unwittingly announces that Jesus will die for the salvation of the nation. This is not his own insight, but the grace of prophecy speaking through him in virtue of his priestly office and position as chief teacher of Israel.” (The Gospel of John [Ignatius Catholic Study Bible], 40)

“Here Caiaphas’ words have a dual meaning: one, Caiaphas’ meaning, is that he wants to put Christ to death, on the pretext that that will ensure the political peace and survival of Israel; the other, the meaning intended by the Holy Spirit, is the announcement of the foundation of the new Israel, the Church, through the death of Christ on the cross (Caiaphas is unaware of this meaning). And so it happens that the last high priest of the Old Alliance prophesies the investiture of the High Priest of the New Alliance, which will be sealed in his own blood.” (The Navarre Bible: St John. 160)

Caiaphas did not realize the half of it. In his position as high priest, given to him by God, he could declare prophetic utterances, even if he did not understand their full import. Recall Jesus saying:

Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. (Mt 23:3b)

I wonder if Caiaphas realized how soon they would meet again (see Jn 18:14, 24, 28) and how he will be instrumental in seeing through his prophetic words (Mt 26: 57-68).

Yes, one man would die for the nation…and all nations and peoples for all time. Even a despicable man like this high priest can be used by God for good (Friday).

Christ Before Caiaphas (1630) by Matthias Stom

God bless.