The Pharisees Plan to Kill Christ

45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, zand had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and atold them the things Jesus did. 47 bThen the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, c“What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. 48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

49 And one of them, dCaiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 enor do you consider that it is expedient for 5us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and fnot for that nation only, but galso that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to hput Him to death. 54 iTherefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called jEphraim, and there remained with His disciples.

55 kAnd the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went from the country up to Jerusalem before the Passover, to lpurify themselves. 56 mThen they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that He will not come to the feast?” 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might nseize Him.