John 12:10

KJV

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} the chief priests {G749} consulted {G1011} that {G2443} they might put {G615} Lazarus {G2976} also {G2532} to death {G615};

Complete Jewish Bible

The head cohanim then decided to do away with El‘azar too,

Berean Standard Bible

So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,

American Standard Version

But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to death;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
John 12:10 reveals the chilling and desperate escalation of hostility from the Jewish chief priests, who, threatened by Jesus's growing influence and the undeniable miracle of Lazarus's resurrection, began to plot the death of Lazarus as well. This verse unveils the profound spiritual blindness and hardened hearts of the religious authorities, who, rather than acknowledging divine power, sought to eliminate the living evidence of God's work, demonstrating their utter rejection of truth and their commitment to maintaining their own power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the account of Mary anointing Jesus's feet in Bethany and precedes Jesus's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The pivotal event leading to this plot is Jesus's miraculous resurrection of Lazarus from the dead in [John 11](/john/11 "John 11 - The Resurrection of Lazarus"). This astonishing display of divine power caused many Jews to believe in Jesus, profoundly increasing His popularity and influence, and directly threatened the authority of the chief priests and Pharisees. They had previously convened the Sanhedrin, expressing fear that Jesus's popularity would lead to Roman intervention and the destruction of their nation and temple, and had already decided that Jesus must die for the people ([John 11:47-53](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Sanhedrin's Plot Against Jesus")). Lazarus, now alive, was a living, breathing testament to Jesus's power over death, drawing even more people to Him, and thus became an intolerable obstacle to their plans.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "chief priests" largely comprised the Sadducean aristocracy, who were deeply invested in maintaining the political and religious status quo with Rome. They held significant power within the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and legislative body. Their fear of Jesus stemmed from a concern that His messianic claims and popular following would incite a rebellion, prompting a harsh Roman crackdown that would strip them of their authority and potentially destroy Jerusalem. The resurrection of Lazarus was not merely a theological challenge but a direct threat to their sociopolitical control, as it validated Jesus's claims in a way that resonated deeply with the common people. Their consultation to kill Lazarus was an extreme measure, reflecting their desperation to suppress any evidence that might undermine their authority or provoke Roman intervention.
* **Key Themes:** John 12:10 powerfully underscores several key themes within the Gospel. Firstly, it highlights the **extreme opposition to divine truth** and the profound **spiritual blindness** of those who reject God's revelation. Rather than repenting or believing in the face of an undeniable miracle, the religious leaders chose to eliminate the evidence. Secondly, it reveals the **malice and desperation** of those clinging to earthly power, demonstrating how far they were willing to go—even to murder an innocent man—to preserve their control. This act of plotting murder against Lazarus, a recipient of God's grace, underscores their hardened hearts. Thirdly, the verse implicitly points to the **cost of witnessing** to Christ; Lazarus faced a death threat simply because he was a powerful, living witness to Jesus's resurrection power, foreshadowing the persecution faced by those who bear testimony to Jesus throughout history ([Matthew 10:22](/matthew/10-22 "Matthew 10:22 - You Will Be Hated for My Name's Sake")). Finally, despite the human plot, the verse subtly reinforces the **unstoppable divine purpose**; the chief priests' actions, though evil, ultimately contributed to the unfolding of God's sovereign plan for Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection, which they unwittingly helped to bring about.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **chief priests (Greek, _archiereús'_):** From ἀρχή (archē, "chief") and ἱερεύς (hiereús, "priest"), this term refers to the high priest and, by extension, other leading priests who were members of the Sanhedrin. In this context, it signifies the powerful, aristocratic Sadducean faction of the Jewish religious leadership, who were primarily concerned with political stability and maintaining their authority. Their decision to "consult" was a formal and deliberate act by the highest religious authorities.
* **consulted (Greek, _bouleúō'_):** Derived from βουλή (boulē, "counsel" or "plan"), this word implies a deliberate, reflective process of taking counsel or making a resolution. It suggests that the chief priests did not act impulsively but engaged in a formal discussion and reached a calculated decision to eliminate Lazarus. This was a premeditated act, highlighting the depth of their malice and the seriousness of their intent.
* **put...to death (Greek, _apokteínō'_):** From ἀπό (apo, "from") and κτείνω (kteino, "to slay"), this verb means "to kill outright" or "to destroy." Its use here underscores the extreme and violent nature of their intent. They sought not merely to silence Lazarus but to utterly eliminate him, demonstrating their profound rejection of the life-giving power of God manifested through Jesus.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But the chief priests consulted":** This phrase introduces a stark contrast ("But") to the preceding narrative of Mary's devotion and the growing crowds gathering around Jesus and Lazarus. It immediately shifts the focus to the escalating opposition from the religious authorities. The "chief priests," representing the highest echelons of Jewish religious and political power, are depicted as actively engaging in a formal, deliberate "consultation" or plotting session. This was not a casual thought but a calculated decision-making process aimed at countering Jesus's influence.
* **"that they might put Lazarus also to death":** This clause reveals the chilling and desperate outcome of their consultation. Their murderous intent, previously directed at Jesus ([John 11:53](/john/11-53 "John 11:53 - The Sanhedrin's Decision to Kill Jesus")), now extends to Lazarus. The word "also" is critical, indicating that Lazarus became a target specifically because his very existence served as undeniable proof of Jesus's divine power, drawing many people to believe. By eliminating Lazarus, they hoped to remove the living evidence of Jesus's miracle and thereby curb the growing faith in Him, attempting to suppress the truth through violence.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices. There is profound **Irony** in the chief priests' plot: they seek to "put to death" a man who has just been raised from death by Jesus, unwittingly highlighting Jesus's power over death even as they attempt to suppress it. This act of plotting murder against a symbol of life underscores their spiritual darkness. **Foreshadowing** is also present, as the plot against Lazarus, a man raised from the dead, subtly anticipates the ultimate plot against Jesus Himself, who would also be put to death and then raised. The chief priests' actions against Lazarus serve as a microcosm of their greater opposition to Jesus. Furthermore, the verse presents a stark **Contrast** between the light of Jesus's life-giving power (seen in Lazarus's resurrection) and the darkness of the religious leaders' murderous intent, illustrating the spiritual battle between God's kingdom and the forces of evil.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 12:10 profoundly illustrates the depth of human depravity and spiritual blindness when confronted with divine truth. The chief priests' decision to kill Lazarus, rather than acknowledge the miracle, reveals a heart so hardened by self-interest and fear of losing power that it actively seeks to suppress God's work. This act is a chilling example of humanity's rebellion against God, preferring darkness to light when its deeds are evil ([John 3:19-20](/john/3-19-20 "John 3:19-20 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light")). It underscores the theological truth that true faith is not merely intellectual assent to facts, but a willingness to submit to God's authority, even when it challenges one's established worldview or power structures. The verse also highlights the ongoing reality that those who bear witness to Christ's power may face intense opposition, reminding believers of the cost of discipleship.

* [Matthew 10:28](/matthew/10-28 "Matthew 10:28 - Do Not Fear Those Who Kill the Body")
* [Acts 5:33](/acts/5-33 "Acts 5:33 - The Sanhedrin's Rage at the Apostles")
* [Romans 1:28](/romans/1-28 "Romans 1:28 - God Gives Them Over to a Debased Mind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to examine our own hearts and responses to divine truth. Are we open to God's work, even when it challenges our preconceived notions, comfort zones, or established systems? The chief priests' reaction to Lazarus's resurrection was not one of awe or repentance, but of fear and murderous intent, because it threatened their authority and control. In our own lives, we may encounter truths or divine interventions that disrupt our plans or challenge our perspectives. Do we embrace them, or do we, like the chief priests, try to suppress or eliminate the "inconvenient" evidence? This passage also reminds us that bearing witness to Christ can come at a cost. Lazarus faced a death threat simply for being a living testimony to Jesus's power. As followers of Christ, we too may face opposition, ridicule, or even hostility for our faith. Yet, this verse also implicitly reassures us that no human plot can ultimately thwart God's sovereign plan. The resurrection of Lazarus, though a catalyst for this plot, also foreshadowed Jesus's own victory over death, which the priests unwittingly helped to bring about. We are called to be courageous witnesses, trusting that God's purposes will prevail, regardless of human opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "inconvenient truths" about God or His work might I be tempted to ignore or resist in my own life?**
* **How does my response to challenges to my beliefs or comfort zones compare to the chief priests' reaction in this passage?**
* **In what ways might I be called to bear witness to Christ, even if it means facing opposition or discomfort?**
* **How does this verse encourage me to trust in God's ultimate sovereignty, even when evil plots seem to gain ground?**

### FAQ
**Why did the chief priests want to kill Lazarus?**

Answer: The chief priests wanted to kill Lazarus because his resurrection by Jesus was an undeniable and public miracle that caused many people to believe in Jesus ([John 12:11](/john/12-11 "John 12:11 - Many Jews Believed Because of Lazarus")). Lazarus was a living, breathing testament to Jesus's divine power over death, and his continued existence threatened the religious leaders' authority and their carefully maintained political and religious order. They feared that Jesus's growing popularity, fueled by such miracles, would lead to a popular uprising, which in turn would provoke the Roman authorities to intervene and destroy their nation and temple ([John 11:48](/john/11-48 "John 11:48 - The Sanhedrin's Fear of Roman Intervention")). Therefore, eliminating Lazarus was seen as a desperate measure to remove the evidence and curb the spread of faith in Jesus.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 12:10, though focusing on the plot against Lazarus, ultimately points to Christ as the true object of spiritual darkness's hatred and the ultimate victor over death. The chief priests' murderous intent against Lazarus, a man Jesus raised from the dead, foreshadows their far greater plot against Jesus Himself, the very "Resurrection and the Life" ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). They sought to eliminate the evidence of divine life, but their actions against Lazarus, and later against Jesus, unwittingly served God's sovereign plan. Christ's own death and resurrection would ultimately demonstrate His absolute power over death, not just for Lazarus, but for all who believe. The chief priests' futile attempt to silence a witness to life only highlights the profound spiritual battle against the One who came to destroy the works of the devil and deliver those enslaved by the fear of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Jesus, the Lamb of God, would indeed be "put to death" by human hands, but through His resurrection, He would conquer death itself, becoming the firstfruits of those who sleep ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ is Risen, the Firstfruits")). Thus, the plot against Lazarus, a temporary victory for darkness, ultimately underscores the eternal triumph of Christ over sin and death.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 16:31

And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

Matthew 2:16

¶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Genesis 4:4

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Genesis 4:10

And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

John 11:47

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

John 11:53

Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Daniel 5:21

And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling [was] with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and [that] he appointeth over it whomsoever he will.