Caiaphas" remarks reflect the frenzy that characterized this meeting. He addressed his colleagues rather unflatteringly as ignoramuses. Caiaphas had received his office of high priest from the Romans in A.D18. His father-in-law Annas had preceded him in the office, and Annas continued to exercise considerable influence. However it was Caiaphas who had the official power at this time. [source][source][source]
John"s reference to "that year" ( John 11:49) was probably with the year of Jesus" death in mind (cf. John 11:51; John 18:13). Another possibility is that John may have been hinting at the tenuous nature of the high priestly office in those days when Rome arbitrarily deposed and appointed leaders with little warning. [1] Caiaphas" insulting statement to his fellow Sanhedrin members, "You know nothing at all!" presents him as a rude boor. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
John 11:45-57 - The Innocent For The Guilty
The friends of the family who had come to lament with them, were disposed toward Jesus and believed; but the mere spectators hastened with the news, to inflame the hatred of the Pharisees. The Romans dreaded the power acquired by permanent office, and often exchanged one high priest for another. Hence the expression, being high priest that year. By his vote Caiaphas may be said to have appointed and sacrificed his victim, who in that memorable year was to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease. See Daniel 9:24; Daniel 9:27.
Caiaphas professed to fear that Jesus would presently gain such an ascendency over the people as to lead a revolt against Rome, which would cause a deluge of blood in which the whole nation would perish. Therefore he recommended that they should compass the death of Jesus. But, as the evangelist puts it, he spoke more widely and truly than he knew, because the death of Jesus is gathering into one the children of God who are scattered abroad-that is, the heathen who were living up to their light, as in John 10:16 -that of the twain He might make one new man. [source]
Chapter Summary: John 11
1Jesus raises Lazarus, four days buried 45Many Jews believe 47The high priests and Pharisees gather a council against Jesus 49Caiaphas prophesies 54Jesus hides himself 55At the Passover they enquire after him, and lay wait for him
Greek Commentary for John 11:49
Caiaphas [Καιαπας] Son-in-law of Annas and successor and high priest for 18 years (a.d. 18 to 36). That year Genitive of time; his high-priesthood included that year (a.d. 29 or 30). So he took the lead at this meeting. Ye know nothing at all In this he is correct, for no solution of their problem had been offered. [source]
That year [] This has been cited to show that John is guilty of a historical error, since, according to the Mosaic law, the high priesthood was held for life. The occurrence of the phrase three times (John 11:49,John 11:51) is significant, and, so far from indicating an error, goes to connect the office of Caiaphas with his part in accomplishing the death of Christ. It devolved on the High Priest to offer every year the great sacrifice of atonement for sin; and in that year, that memorable year, it fell to Caiaphas to be the instrument of the sacrifice of Him that taketh away the sin of the world. Dante places Caiaphas and his father-in-law, Annas, far down in Hell in the Bolgia of the Hypocrites:“to mine eyes there rushedOne crucified with three stakes on the ground. When me he saw, he writhed himself all over,-DIVIDER-
Blowing into his beard with suspirations;-DIVIDER-
And the friar Catalan who noticed this,-DIVIDER-
Said to me: 'This transfixed one whom thou seest,-DIVIDER-
Counselled the Pharisees that it was meet-DIVIDER-
To put one man to torture for the people. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Crosswrise and naked is he on the path,-DIVIDER-
As thou perceivest; and he needs must feel,-DIVIDER-
Whoever passes, first how much he weighs;-DIVIDER-
And in like mode his father-in-law is punished-DIVIDER-
Within this moat, and the others of the council,-DIVIDER-
Which for the Jews was a malignant seed.”“Inferno,” xxiii., 110-129. Dean Plumptre suggests that the punishment described by the poet seems to reproduce the thought of Isaiah 51:23. [source]
Caiaphas [] A Sadducee, who held the office for eighteen years. [source]
John 11:49That year [] This has been cited to show that John is guilty of a historical error, since, according to the Mosaic law, the high priesthood was held for life. The occurrence of the phrase three times (John 11:49,John 11:51) is significant, and, so far from indicating an error, goes to connect the office of Caiaphas with his part in accomplishing the death of Christ. It devolved on the High Priest to offer every year the great sacrifice of atonement for sin; and in that year, that memorable year, it fell to Caiaphas to be the instrument of the sacrifice of Him that taketh away the sin of the world. Dante places Caiaphas and his father-in-law, Annas, far down in Hell in the Bolgia of the Hypocrites:“to mine eyes there rushedOne crucified with three stakes on the ground. When me he saw, he writhed himself all over,-DIVIDER-
Blowing into his beard with suspirations;-DIVIDER-
And the friar Catalan who noticed this,-DIVIDER-
Said to me: 'This transfixed one whom thou seest,-DIVIDER-
Counselled the Pharisees that it was meet-DIVIDER-
To put one man to torture for the people. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
Crosswrise and naked is he on the path,-DIVIDER-
As thou perceivest; and he needs must feel,-DIVIDER-
Whoever passes, first how much he weighs;-DIVIDER-
And in like mode his father-in-law is punished-DIVIDER-
Within this moat, and the others of the council,-DIVIDER-
Which for the Jews was a malignant seed.”“Inferno,” xxiii., 110-129. Dean Plumptre suggests that the punishment described by the poet seems to reproduce the thought of Isaiah 51:23. [source]
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Καϊάφας
Sense: a high priest of the Jews appointed to that office by Valerius Gratus, governor of Judaea, after removal of Simon, son of Camith, A.
Greek Commentary for John 11:49
Son-in-law of Annas and successor and high priest for 18 years (a.d. 18 to 36). That year Genitive of time; his high-priesthood included that year (a.d. 29 or 30). So he took the lead at this meeting. Ye know nothing at all In this he is correct, for no solution of their problem had been offered. [source]
This has been cited to show that John is guilty of a historical error, since, according to the Mosaic law, the high priesthood was held for life. The occurrence of the phrase three times (John 11:49, John 11:51) is significant, and, so far from indicating an error, goes to connect the office of Caiaphas with his part in accomplishing the death of Christ. It devolved on the High Priest to offer every year the great sacrifice of atonement for sin; and in that year, that memorable year, it fell to Caiaphas to be the instrument of the sacrifice of Him that taketh away the sin of the world. Dante places Caiaphas and his father-in-law, Annas, far down in Hell in the Bolgia of the Hypocrites:“to mine eyes there rushedOne crucified with three stakes on the ground. When me he saw, he writhed himself all over,-DIVIDER- Blowing into his beard with suspirations;-DIVIDER- And the friar Catalan who noticed this,-DIVIDER- Said to me: 'This transfixed one whom thou seest,-DIVIDER- Counselled the Pharisees that it was meet-DIVIDER- To put one man to torture for the people. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Crosswrise and naked is he on the path,-DIVIDER- As thou perceivest; and he needs must feel,-DIVIDER- Whoever passes, first how much he weighs;-DIVIDER- And in like mode his father-in-law is punished-DIVIDER- Within this moat, and the others of the council,-DIVIDER- Which for the Jews was a malignant seed.”“Inferno,” xxiii., 110-129. Dean Plumptre suggests that the punishment described by the poet seems to reproduce the thought of Isaiah 51:23. [source]
A Sadducee, who held the office for eighteen years. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for John 11:49
See on John 11:49. [source]
This has been cited to show that John is guilty of a historical error, since, according to the Mosaic law, the high priesthood was held for life. The occurrence of the phrase three times (John 11:49, John 11:51) is significant, and, so far from indicating an error, goes to connect the office of Caiaphas with his part in accomplishing the death of Christ. It devolved on the High Priest to offer every year the great sacrifice of atonement for sin; and in that year, that memorable year, it fell to Caiaphas to be the instrument of the sacrifice of Him that taketh away the sin of the world. Dante places Caiaphas and his father-in-law, Annas, far down in Hell in the Bolgia of the Hypocrites:“to mine eyes there rushedOne crucified with three stakes on the ground. When me he saw, he writhed himself all over,-DIVIDER- Blowing into his beard with suspirations;-DIVIDER- And the friar Catalan who noticed this,-DIVIDER- Said to me: 'This transfixed one whom thou seest,-DIVIDER- Counselled the Pharisees that it was meet-DIVIDER- To put one man to torture for the people. -DIVIDER- -DIVIDER- Crosswrise and naked is he on the path,-DIVIDER- As thou perceivest; and he needs must feel,-DIVIDER- Whoever passes, first how much he weighs;-DIVIDER- And in like mode his father-in-law is punished-DIVIDER- Within this moat, and the others of the council,-DIVIDER- Which for the Jews was a malignant seed.”“Inferno,” xxiii., 110-129. Dean Plumptre suggests that the punishment described by the poet seems to reproduce the thought of Isaiah 51:23. [source]