So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,
English Standard Version (ESV)
The chief priests' decision to plot Lazarus's death reveals their desperate attempt to silence inconvenient truth; the undeniable evidence of his resurrection was so threatening to their agenda that they resorted to murder rather than confront the divine power it represented. This highlights how deeply entrenched unbelief can become, driving people to commit heinous acts to maintain their own worldview.
So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just arrived in Bethany, and a crowd has gathered, not only to see Him but also to see Lazarus, who was famously raised from the dead. Witnessing the fervor and the growing belief in Jesus spurred by Lazarus's testimony, the chief priests, already plotting Jesus' death, now decide to eliminate Lazarus too, fearing he too would draw people away from their authority. This desperate move highlights their escalating fear and their willingness to commit further wickedness to suppress the undeniable evidence of Jesus' divine power.
Witnessing a miracle should bring people to faith. But for some, it ignites a furious opposition.
The chief priests' decision to plot against Lazarus is a chilling example of how hardened unbelief can become.
A Clear Sign Becomes a Threat
Lazarus, raised from the dead after four days, was an undeniable, living testament to Jesus' divine power. Yet, instead of marveling and believing, the religious leaders saw him as a problem. His very existence undermined their agenda to discredit Jesus.
Escalating Wickedness
When people refuse to accept the truth, especially God's truth, they can be driven to desperate and wicked actions. The priests weren't just misguided; they were actively plotting to silence a witness and erase a miracle. This shows that hardened hearts will stop at nothing to maintain their position, even if it means opposing God Himself.
Why would religious leaders want to kill someone who was a living miracle? Because the miracle was too powerful.
The resurrection of Lazarus wasn't just a spectacle; it was a powerful sign with real consequences for the kingdom of God.
A Magnet for Faith
John explicitly states that many Jews came specifically to see Lazarus, and because of this, "went away and believed in Jesus" (John 12:11). Lazarus's testimony, even by his presence, was drawing people to Jesus.
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The Threat of Divine Power
For the chief priests, the growing crowd of believers was a serious threat to their authority and the status quo. Killing Lazarus was an attempt to suppress the evidence and prevent further belief. They couldn't argue with the miracle, so they sought to eliminate its witness, demonstrating a desperate attempt to control the narrative and resist God's undeniable power.
Understand the original words
archiereus · Greek Noun
The leaders of the Jewish temple hierarchy; they held significant political and religious authority and were the primary instigators in the plot to execute Jesus.
The chief priests' plot against Lazarus highlights their desperate attempts to suppress the undeniable evidence of Jesus's divine power, revealing a deep-seated hatred of truth that would even target an innocent, resurrected man.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead
Jesus miraculously raises Lazarus from the dead after he had been dead for four days, a powerful sign that deeply impacts many witnesses.
c. AD 30
Great crowds flock to see Lazarus
News of Lazarus's resurrection spreads, drawing large crowds who want to see the man raised from the dead and the evidence of Jesus's power.
c. AD 30
Chief priests plot Lazarus's death
Alarmed by the crowds drawn to Lazarus and the resulting belief in Jesus, the chief priests conspire to kill Lazarus to eliminate this powerful testimony.
c. AD 30
Jesus enters Jerusalem triumphantly
Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, hailed as King by crowds carrying palm branches, an event amplified by the recent miracle of Lazarus's resurrection.
c. AD 30
Jesus is arrested and crucified
Following the Passover feast, Jesus is arrested, tried, and crucified by the religious and political authorities.
This verse describes how someone who killed an ox or a sheep and didn't make restitution was to be punished, highlighting a society that valued restitution for livestock. The chief priests, however, were plotting to kill Lazarus without any crime, showing a complete disregard for life and justice.
1 Samuel 18:7-9When David's fame grew for his victories, Saul became intensely jealous and sought to kill him, even throwing a spear. This shows a pattern of powerful leaders being threatened by those who gain popular favor, leading to violent and irrational plots.
Acts 4:1-3The religious leaders were greatly disturbed by Peter and John's preaching and the undeniable miracle of healing the lame man. Their immediate response was to arrest them, demonstrating a similar pattern of opposition to the truth and the signs of God's power, leading to desires to silence those who proclaim it.
Acts 5:17-18The high priest and his associates, filled with jealousy, arrested the apostles. Their actions were driven by a desire to suppress the spread of Jesus' message and the evidence of his power, mirroring the chief priests' reaction to Lazarus's miraculous survival.
barnesJohn 12:10: "But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;"
That they might put Lazarus also to death - When men are determined not to believe the gospel, there is no end to the crimes to which they are driven. Lazarus was alive, and the evidence of his resurrection was so clear that they could not resist it. They could neither deny it, nor prevent its effect on the people. As it was determined to kill Jesus, so they consulted about the propriety of removing Lazarus…
calvinJohn 12:9-15: "Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead."
- Then a great multitude of the Jews knew that he was there, and came, not on account of Jesus only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10. Now the chief priests consulted, that they might put Lazarus also to death; 11. For many of the Jews on his account went away, and beli…
The chief priests' decision to plot Lazarus's death reveals their desperate attempt to silence inconvenient truth; the undeniable evidence of his resurrection was so threatening to their agenda that they resorted to murder rather than confront the divine power it represented. This highlights how deeply entrenched unbelief can become, driving people to commit heinous acts to maintain their own worldview.
Jesus has just arrived in Bethany, and a crowd has gathered, not only to see Him but also to see Lazarus, who was famously raised from the dead. Witnessing the fervor and the growing belief in Jesus spurred by Lazarus's testimony, the chief priests, already plotting Jesus' death, now decide to eliminate Lazarus too, fearing he too would draw people away from their authority. This desperate move highlights their escalating fear and their willingness to commit further wickedness to suppress the undeniable evidence of Jesus' divine power.
Jesus has just arrived in Bethany, and a crowd has gathered, not only to see Him but also to see Lazarus, who was famously raised from the dead. Witnessing the fervor and the growing belief in Jesus spurred by Lazarus's testimony, the chief priests, already plotting Jesus' death, now decide to eliminate Lazarus too, fearing he too would draw people away from their authority. This desperate move highlights their escalating fear and their willingness to commit further wickedness to suppress the undeniable evidence of Jesus' divine power.
"So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well," — The chief priests' decision to plot Lazarus's death reveals their desperate attempt to silence inconvenient truth; the undeniable evidence of his resurrection was so threatening to their agenda that…
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Last reviewed October 2026