John 11:49 kjv
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
John 11:49 nkjv
And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all,
John 11:49 niv
Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all!
John 11:49 esv
But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all.
John 11:49 nlt
Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, "You don't know what you're talking about!
John 11 49 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 11:50 | "...nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people..." | Caiaphas's words; divine irony |
| Isaiah 53:8 | "He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living..." | Foreshadows Christ's sacrificial death |
| Daniel 9:26 | "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself..." | Prophecy of Messiah's death |
| Hebrews 9:22 | "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." | Importance of blood in atonement |
| Romans 5:8 | "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." | Christ's death for sinners |
| 1 Peter 2:24 | "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." | Christ bearing our sins |
| 2 Corinthians 5:21 | "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." | Christ as our substitute |
| Matthew 20:28 | "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." | Jesus giving his life as a ransom |
| John 18:14 | "Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people." | Prior mention of Caiaphas's counsel |
| John 3:16 | "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." | God's love demonstrated by sacrifice |
| Acts 4:28 | "For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done." | Fulfillment of divine counsel |
| 1 John 2:2 | "And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." | Christ's atonement for all humanity |
| Revelation 1:5 | "And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," | Christ's sacrifice and cleansing |
| Hebrews 2:10 | "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." | Jesus made perfect through sufferings |
| Isaiah 11:1 | "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:" | Messianic prophecy, contrasting Jesus' lineage |
| Psalm 2:7 | "I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee." | Jesus as the Son of God |
| Ephesians 1:7 | "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" | Redemption through Christ's blood |
| 1 Timothy 2:5 | "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" | Christ as mediator |
| John 10:11 | "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." | Jesus as the Good Shepherd giving His life |
| 1 John 5:20 | "And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." | Jesus as the true God |
| Galatians 3:13 | "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" | Redemption from the curse |
John 11 verses
John 11 49 Meaning
This verse records the prophecy of Caiaphas, the High Priest, concerning Jesus' death. He states that it is expedient for them that one man should die for the people, meaning it is advantageous and necessary for the Jewish nation's survival. Unbeknownst to Caiaphas, his statement was divinely inspired to point to Jesus' sacrificial atonement for all humanity, not just the Jewish people.
John 11 49 Context
The Gospel of John recounts Jesus' ministry, focusing on His divine nature and His conflict with Jewish religious leaders. In chapter 11, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, a powerful miracle that draws a large crowd and significantly increases the people's belief in Him. This miracle deeply troubles the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. The high priest, Caiaphas, orchestrates a meeting to discuss how to deal with Jesus. It is in this charged atmosphere, fearing both Roman intervention due to the growing movement around Jesus and the loss of their own authority, that Caiaphas utters this prophecy. He articulates the political expediency of sacrificing one man to save the nation, an act intended to prevent widespread unrest and a potential Roman crackdown that could lead to the destruction of their temple and nation.
John 11 49 Word Analysis
- "But": (Gk. de) A common conjunction indicating a contrast or transition. Here, it contrasts with the previous statement by Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who had argued for a more cautious approach earlier in Jesus' ministry (John 7:50-51).
- "Caiaphas": (Gk. Kaiphas) The surname of Joseph ben Caiaphas, the High Priest appointed by the Romans who served from 18-36 AD. His lineage traced back to the Sadducees.
- "being High Priest that year": (Gk. archiereus ontos tou eniautou ekeinou) High Priests typically served for life, but the term "that year" implies the political and shifting nature of appointments by the Roman authorities. It might also emphasize the specific, pivotal nature of this year in history.
- "said": (Gk. eipen) A straightforward verb indicating speech.
- "Ye know": (Gk. ouk oidate) A rhetorical question implying that the council members should understand the current situation and the perceived threat Jesus posed.
- "nothing": (Gk. ouden) Refers to understanding the true significance or necessity of the events unfolding.
- "neither": (Gk. mede) Used in conjunction with "nothing" for emphasis.
- "consider": (Gk. logizesthe) To reckon, calculate, or take into account. They were not evaluating the deeper implications.
- "that it is expedient": (Gk. sympherei) To be useful, profitable, or beneficial. Caiaphas is speaking from a political and self-preserving viewpoint for the nation.
- "for us": (Gk. hemin) Referring to the Sanhedrin and the Jewish leadership.
- "that one man": (Gk. hina heis anthropos) Clearly pointing to Jesus. The singularity highlights His individual significance as a potential sacrifice.
- "should die": (Gk. apothane) To die.
- "for the people": (Gk. huper tou laou) This phrase, from Caiaphas's perspective, was limited to the physical nation of Israel. It also marks a point of irony as Jesus' death is for all people.
- "and that the whole nation": (Gk. kai me holon to ethnos) The entirety of the Jewish nation.
- "perish not": (Gk. apoltai) To be destroyed, lost. Caiaphas fears the consequences if Jesus' movement continues unchecked.
Words-group analysis:
- "Ye know nothing, neither consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.": This entire phrase encapsulates Caiaphas's pragmatic, politically motivated, and short-sighted counsel. He speaks of expediency and the preservation of the nation from immediate perceived threats, failing to grasp the eternal and salvific purpose of Jesus' death.
John 11 49 Bonus Section
The Greek word for "people" in "for the people" (laou) is often used in the Septuagint (LXX) to refer to the covenant people of Israel, highlighting Caiaphas's nationalistic focus. However, the broader Greek term for humanity (anthropos, also used earlier in the verse for "one man") underscores the universal scope of Jesus' atoning sacrifice, as also seen in passages like 1 John 2:2. Caiaphas's high-priestly role was significant; in the Old Testament, the High Priest served as a mediator and offered sacrifices for the sins of the people. Caiaphas's prophecy, therefore, pointed to Jesus as the ultimate High Priest who would offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for all.
John 11 49 Commentary
Caiaphas's statement, though spoken with political calculation, becomes a profound unintentional prophecy. He saw Jesus as a threat to the nation's physical existence and advocated for His death to preserve the Jewish people. However, the Holy Spirit guided his words to declare a higher truth: Jesus' death would indeed be for "the people," but this encompassed all of humanity who would believe in Him, thus saving them from spiritual perishing and eternal death. His counsel, intended to secure their temporal well-being, ultimately became the vehicle for universal, eternal salvation. The contrast between Caiaphas's intent (national preservation) and the divine reality (global salvation) highlights the ironic and powerful way God uses human actions and words to fulfill His sovereign purposes.