Book of John - Chapter 12 - Verse 10
Meaning
After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many people witnessed this miraculous event and believed in him. This caused fear and jealousy among the chief priests who were threatened by Jesus' growing influence and popularity. In their attempt to maintain control and authority, the chief priests felt that they needed to eliminate any evidence or testimony that could further validate Jesus' power. By plotting to kill Lazarus, they hoped to silence a living testimony of Jesus' miraculous works and prevent more people from believing in him. This verse serves as a demonstration of the lengths to which the chief priests were willing to go in order to discredit and suppress Jesus and his teachings.
Theological Overview
In this verse, we see the chief priests expressing their desire to put Lazarus to death, in addition to their plan to kill Jesus. The word "consulted" in this context implies a deliberate and calculated decision-making process among the religious leaders. The theological interpretation of this verse reveals the depth of the religious leaders' opposition to Jesus and the threat that Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead by Jesus, posed to their authority and power. The chief priests' fear of Jesus' growing influence and popularity among the people led them to resort to extreme measures, even considering the murder of someone who had experienced a miraculous resurrection. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which those in power will go to maintain their control and how the forces of darkness will stop at nothing to try to thwart the plans of God.