John 12, 13 & 14

From the New Illustrated Bible Commentary.

"It was after the raising of Lazarus from the dead that the chief priests, Pharisees, and other religious leaders finally determined to put Jesus to death. Until now the conflict between the them and the upstart Rabbi was one of words. But the raising of Lazarus was an incredible miracle that was witnessed by many.

Indeed Lazarus became something of a curiosity drawing lots of onlookers who wanted to see for themselves this man whom Jesus brought back to life. And it was this kind of publicity that the leaders especially feared.

The religious leaders began to consider how they might bring Jesus before the Romans, and have him put away on a charge of rebellion. And even though Lazarus had just been brought back from the dead, they plotted to do away with him as well because he was the living evidence of Jesus' power.

The plan succeeded brilliantly except for one detail that Caiaphas and his fellow leaders either overlooked or refused to believe: in arranging His death, they handed Him the opportunity to prove once and for all that He had spoken the truth when He said, "I am the resurrection and the life."