King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
Complete Jewish Bible:
(It was Kayafa who had advised the Judeans that it would be good for one man to die on behalf of the people.)
Berean Standard Bible:
Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people.
American Standard Version:
Now Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Now{G1161} Caiaphas{G2533} was he{G2258}, which{G3588} gave counsel{G4823} to the Jews{G2453}, that{G3754} it was expedient{G4851} that one{G1520} man{G444} should die{G622} for{G5228} the people{G2992}.
Cross-References (KJV):
John 11:49
- And one of them, [named] Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
John 11:52
- And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for John 18:14
John 18:14 is a verse set within the Passion narrative of the New Testament, specifically during the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The verse reads, "Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people." This statement is made in the context of Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious council, of which Caiaphas was the high priest.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the political and social tensions of first-century Judea, which was under Roman occupation. The Jewish leadership, particularly the Sadducees (to whom Caiaphas belonged), were often in a precarious position, trying to maintain their authority and appease the Roman authorities. Caiaphas' counsel, therefore, reflects a pragmatic political calculation: he argues that it is better for one man (Jesus) to die than for the whole nation to suffer potential Roman retribution, which could occur if a figure like Jesus, perceived as a threat to the established order, continued to gain popularity and incite unrest.
Theologically, this verse touches on themes of sacrifice and atonement. Caiaphas' words, though intended in a purely utilitarian sense, inadvertently echo the Christian belief in Jesus' sacrificial death as the atonement for the sins of humanity. This concept is deeply embedded in Christian theology, which sees Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah who would suffer and die for the salvation of his people.
In summary, John 18:14 captures the intersection of political expediency and divine providence. Caiaphas' counsel to the Jewish leaders during Jesus' trial is a historical record of a high priest's political maneuvering to preserve the status quo. Yet, for Christian readers, the verse also carries profound theological significance, as it seems to foreshadow the redemptive purpose of Jesus' death on the cross, a central tenet of Christian faith.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English). - Strong's Number: G2533
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Καϊάφας
Transliteration: Kaïáphas
Pronunciation: kah-ee-af'-as
Description: of Chaldee origin; the dell; Caiaphas (i.e. Cajepha), an Israelite:--Caiaphas. - Strong's Number: G2258
There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἦν
Transliteration: ēn
Pronunciation: ane
Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were. - Strong's Number: G3588
There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὁ
Transliteration: ho
Pronunciation: to
Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc. - Strong's Number: G4823
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: συμβουλεύω
Transliteration: symbouleúō
Pronunciation: soom-bool-yoo'-o
Description: from σύν and βουλεύω; to give (or take) advice jointly, i.e. recommend, deliberate or determine:--consult, (give, take) counsel (together). - Strong's Number: G2453
There are 187 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Ἰουδαῖος
Transliteration: Ioudaîos
Pronunciation: ee-oo-dah'-yos
Description: from Ἰουδά (in the sense of Ἰούδας as a country); Judæan, i.e. belonging to Jehudah:--Jew(-ess), of Judæa. - Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why. - Strong's Number: G4851
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: συμφέρω
Transliteration: symphérō
Pronunciation: soom-fer'-o
Description: from σύν and φέρω (including its alternate); to bear together (contribute), i.e. (literally) to collect, or (figuratively) to conduce; especially (neuter participle as a noun) advantage:--be better for, bring together, be expedient (for), be good, (be) profit(-able for). - Strong's Number: G1520
There are 235 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἷς
Transliteration: heîs
Pronunciation: hice
Description: a primary numeral; one:--a(-n, -ny, certain), + abundantly, man, one (another), only, other, some. See also εἷς καθ’ εἷς, μηδείς, μία, οὐδείς. - Strong's Number: G444
There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
Transliteration: ánthrōpos
Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man. - Strong's Number: G622
There are 86 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀπόλλυμι
Transliteration: apóllymi
Pronunciation: ap-ol'-loo-mee
Description: from ἀπό and the base of ὄλεθρος; to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively:--destroy, die, lose, mar, perish. - Strong's Number: G5228
There are 144 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὑπέρ
Transliteration: hypér
Pronunciation: hoop-er'
Description: a primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than:--(+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications. - Strong's Number: G2992
There are 139 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λαός
Transliteration: laós
Pronunciation: lah-os'
Description: apparently a primary word; a people (in general; thus differing from δῆμος, which denotes one's own populace):--people.