St. John's Gospel by Stephen Ray

Author:Stephen Ray [Ray, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Spiritual & Religion
ISBN: 9780898708219
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Published: 2011-06-24T05:00:00+00:00

John 11:45-57

The Sanhedrin Condemns Jesus

14. In verses 45-46, the Jews witnessing the event have two reactions. What are they (CCC 596)? Why do the Jews rush to inform the Pharisees: to evangelize them or to “squeal” on Jesus (vv. 53-54)? As a faithful Jew, what would you have done under these unusual circumstances? What more spectacular work could Jesus have performed to convince the Pharisees to believe and obey him (CCC 547-48)? Were the Pharisees determined to eliminate Jesus because they disagreed with him or because they feared the results of believing in him (v. 48)? Of what were the Pharisees fearful? Considering the fact that the Romans eventually did destroy Jerusalem and the Temple in 70, were the fears of the Pharisees justified, and were the means they would use against Jesus justifiable to save the nation (CCC 1753)? How did the Jews regard the “signs” of Jesus (v. 47)? How had Jesus predicted the fall of Jerusalem (Lk 19:41-44)? Consider the irony: What did the Jews fear would destroy their city and Temple (v. 48), and why was it actually destroyed (Lk 19:44)?

» HISTORICAL NOTE: The Romans did not tolerate political or social disruption in their provinces, and Judea was already teeming with discontent, ready to explode at any time. The Romans were prepared to squelch any sign of revolt. If Jesus had rallied the crowds around himself claiming to be their new king, the Romans would have acted decisively. They would have destroyed the Jews’ Temple and even the city (Jn 11:48) and might even have decimated and deported the Jews, which the Babylonians had done centuries before. In A.D. 70, this is exactly what happened after the Jews revolted from Rome. Killing Jesus, then, did not prevent the Roman destruction of Jerusalem. In fact, in the long run, it was the cause of the catastrophe, since the Jewish nation had rejected their salvation, their deliverer, their king, and their Messiah.

15. In verse 49, we are introduced to Caiaphas, the high priest. Where else do we find Caiaphas (Mt 26:3-5; 57ff.; Jn 18:13-14)? Knowing that Caiaphas was a Sadducee and therefore did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, how do you think he perceived the news of Jesus’ “signs”, especially that of the raising of Lazarus? With all the eyewitness accounts, was Caiaphas able to deny the reality of Lazarus’ being restored to life? Why did Caiaphas think it was all right to eliminate Jesus, even if he was innocent (v. 50)? Was Caiaphas more concerned with justice or political expediency? How did John (and thus the Holy Spirit) understand the words of Caiaphas (v. 51)? What did Caiaphas mean to say? How did the prophecy correspond with the Good Shepherd’s task (v, 52; cf Jn 10:16)? Was the Israel of the Pharisees the same as the “Israel of God” (cf. Gal 6:15-16; CCC 60)? How is it that God can prophesy through a man who is diametrically opposed to his will and plan? How

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