John 18:14
New International Version
Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.

New Living Translation
Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders, “It’s better that one man should die for the people.”

English Standard Version
It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Berean Standard Bible
Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people.

Berean Literal Bible
Now Caiaphas was the one having given counsel to the Jews that it is profitable for one man to perish for the people.

King James Bible
Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

New King James Version
Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

New American Standard Bible
Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was in their best interest for one man to die in behalf of the people.

NASB 1995
Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

NASB 1977
Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better for one man to die on behalf of the people.

Amplified Bible
It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

Christian Standard Bible
Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better for one man to die for the people.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was advantageous that one man should die for the people.

American Standard Version
Now Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Contemporary English Version
This was the same Caiaphas who had told the Jewish leaders, "It is better if one person dies for the people."

English Revised Version
Now Caiaphas was he which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
was the person who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one man die for the people.

Good News Translation
It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish authorities that it was better that one man should die for all the people.

International Standard Version
Caiaphas was the person who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one man die for the people.

Majority Standard Bible
Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man perished for the people.

NET Bible
(Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jewish leaders that it was to their advantage that one man die for the people.)

New Heart English Bible
Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jewish leaders that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now Caiaphas was he who gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Weymouth New Testament


World English Bible
Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Caiaphas was he who gave counsel to the Jews that it is good for one man to perish for the people.

Berean Literal Bible
Now Caiaphas was the one having given counsel to the Jews that it is profitable for one man to perish for the people.

Young's Literal Translation
and Caiaphas was he who gave counsel to the Jews, that it is good for one man to perish for the people.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Caiaphas was he having counselled the Jews, that it is profitable for one man to be destroyed for the people.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now Caiphas was he who had given the counsel to the Jews: That it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now Caiaphas was the one who had given counsel to the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die for the people.

New American Bible
It was Caiaphas who had counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die rather than the people.

New Revised Standard Version
Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one person die for the people.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Caiaphas was the one who had counselled the Jews, that it was better for one man to die instead of the people.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But it was Qaypha who counseled the Jews that it was better that one man should die for the sake of the nation.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
It was Caiaphas who had given counsel to the Jews, that it was profitable that one man should die for the people.

Godbey New Testament
And Caiaphas was the one counseling the Jews, that it is profitable that one man die for the people.

Haweis New Testament
Now Caiaphas was the person who had given his advice to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should be destroyed instead of the people.

Mace New Testament
the same Caiaphas, who in council told the Jews, "it was expedient that one man should die for the people."

Weymouth New Testament


Worrell New Testament
And it was Caiaphas who counseled the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Worsley New Testament
Now Caiaphas was he who had said in council to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Betrayal of Jesus
13They brought Him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be better if one man died for the people. 15Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.…

Cross References
John 11:49-52
But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! / You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” / Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation, ...

Matthew 26:3-5
At that time the chief priests and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, / and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him. / “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

Mark 14:1-2
Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were two days away, and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a covert way to arrest Jesus and kill Him. / “But not during the feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

Luke 22:2
and the chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to put Jesus to death, for they feared the people.

John 11:47-48
Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Acts 4:6
along with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and many others from the high priest’s family.

John 7:30
So they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

John 7:45-53
Then the officers returned to the chief priests and Pharisees, who asked them, “Why didn’t you bring Him in?” / “Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered. / “Have you also been deceived?” replied the Pharisees. ...

John 12:10-11
So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, / for on account of him many of the Jews were deserting them and believing in Jesus.

John 19:11
Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”

John 3:14-15
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, / that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

John 5:18
Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 7:1
After this, Jesus traveled throughout Galilee. He did not want to travel in Judea, because the Jews there were trying to kill Him.

John 10:39
At this, they tried again to seize Him, but He escaped their grasp.

John 11:53
So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.


Treasury of Scripture

Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Caiaphas.

John 11:49-52
And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, …

Jump to Previous
Advised Behalf Better Caiaphas Ca'iaphas Counsel Counselled Death Die Died Expedient Good Interest Jews Perish
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Advised Behalf Better Caiaphas Ca'iaphas Counsel Counselled Death Die Died Expedient Good Interest Jews Perish
John 18
1. Judas betrays Jesus.
6. The officers fall to the ground.
10. Peter cuts off Malchus' ear.
12. Jesus is taken, and led unto Annas and Caiaphas.
15. Peter's denial.
19. Jesus examined before Caiaphas.
25. Peter's second and third denial.
28. Jesus arraigned before Pilate.
36. His kingdom.
40. The Jews prefer Barabbas.














Caiaphas was the one
Caiaphas, the high priest during the time of Jesus' trial, held a significant position in Jewish society. As the high priest, he was the chief religious authority and played a crucial role in the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. His tenure as high priest lasted from AD 18 to 36, a notably long period, indicating his political acumen and ability to navigate Roman and Jewish politics.

who had advised the Jews
Caiaphas' advice to the Jewish leaders reflects his pragmatic approach to the political tensions of the time. The Jewish leaders were concerned about maintaining their authority and avoiding Roman intervention. Caiaphas' counsel was given during a meeting of the Sanhedrin, where they discussed how to handle the growing influence of Jesus, whose teachings and miracles were attracting large crowds and causing unrest.

that it would be better if one man died for the people
This statement is a reference to Caiaphas' earlier prophecy recorded in John 11:49-50, where he suggested that Jesus' death would prevent the destruction of the nation by the Romans. Unbeknownst to Caiaphas, his words carried a deeper, divine truth. From a theological perspective, this statement foreshadows the sacrificial death of Jesus, who, as the Lamb of God, would die for the sins of humanity. This concept aligns with the Old Testament sacrificial system, where one sacrifice could atone for the sins of many, and it fulfills prophecies such as Isaiah 53, which speaks of a suffering servant who would bear the iniquities of others.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Caiaphas
The high priest during the time of Jesus' trial. He played a significant role in the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus. Caiaphas was a member of the Sadducees, a sect known for its collaboration with Roman authorities and its denial of the resurrection.

2. The Jews
Refers to the Jewish leaders and authorities who were involved in the decision-making process regarding Jesus' fate. This group included the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of Jewish leaders.

3. The Advice
Caiaphas advised that it was expedient for one man (Jesus) to die for the people, suggesting a political and religious expediency to prevent Roman intervention and potential destruction of the nation.

4. The Event
This verse is part of the account leading to the arrest and trial of Jesus, highlighting the political and religious tensions of the time.

5. The Context
This statement by Caiaphas is a fulfillment of prophecy and a pivotal moment in the Passion account, setting the stage for the crucifixion of Jesus.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Human Affairs
Despite Caiaphas' intentions, God used his advice to fulfill His divine plan of salvation. This reminds us that God can work through even the most unlikely circumstances and people to accomplish His purposes.

The Cost of Expediency
Caiaphas' advice was rooted in political expediency rather than truth or justice. As believers, we must be cautious of making decisions based on convenience rather than righteousness.

Prophecy and Fulfillment
Caiaphas' statement, though politically motivated, aligns with the prophetic tradition of the Old Testament. This underscores the importance of understanding how Jesus' life and death fulfill biblical prophecy.

The Role of Leadership
Caiaphas, as a leader, had significant influence over the events that unfolded. This serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with leadership, especially in spiritual matters.

The Sacrificial Love of Christ
Jesus' willingness to die for the people, as prophesied by Caiaphas, exemplifies the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. This calls us to reflect on the depth of Christ's love and our response to it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Caiaphas
Καϊάφας (Kaiaphas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2533: Caiaphas, Jewish high priest. Of Chaldee origin; the dell; Caiaphas, an Israelite.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the [one]
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

who had advised
συμβουλεύσας (symbouleusas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4823: From sun and bouleuo; to give advice jointly, i.e. Recommend, deliberate or determine.

the
τοῖς (tois)
Article - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Jews
Ἰουδαίοις (Ioudaiois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2453: Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.

that
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

it would be better if
συμφέρει (sympherei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4851: From sun and phero; to bear together, i.e. to collect, or to conduce; especially advantage.

one
ἕνα (hena)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1520: One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.

man
ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

died
ἀποθανεῖν (apothanein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 599: To be dying, be about to die, wither, decay. From apo and thnesko; to die off.

for
ὑπὲρ (hyper)
Preposition
Strong's 5228: Gen: in behalf of; acc: above.

the
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

people.
λαοῦ (laou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2992: Apparently a primary word; a people.


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