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

Now Caiphas was he who had given the counsel to the Jews: That it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

But it was Caiaphas who counselled the Jews that it was better that one man should perish for the people.

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

It was Caiaphas who had said to the Jews that it was in their interest for one man to be put to death for the people.

Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jewish leaders that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people.

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

It was Caiaphas who had counseled the religious authorities, that it was best that one person should die for the people.

Who had given counsel to the Jews. The Evangelist repeats the opinion of Caiaphas, which formerly came under our notice; [1] for God employed the foul mouth of a wicked and treacherous high priest to utter a prediction, (John 11:50,) just as he guided the tongue of the prophet Baham, contrary to his wish, so that he was constrained to bless the people, though he desired to curse them, to gain favor with king Balak, (Numbers 23:7, 8.)

Footnotes

1 - [12] Vol. 1: page 453.

Which gave counsel - John 11:49-50. This is referred to here, probably, to show how little prospect there was that Jesus would have justice done him in the hands of a man who had already pronounced on the case.

Caiaphas was he which gave counsel, etc. - Therefore he was an improper person to sit in judgment on Christ, whom he had prejudged and precondemned: see on John 11:50-52 (note). But Christ must not be treated according to the rules of justice: if he had, he could not have been put to death.

Now Caiaphas was he which gave council to the Jews,.... The chief priests and Pharisees, who met in council about Jesus, John 11:47, the counsel he gave was,
that it was expedient that one man should die for the people; and which advice was given out of ill will and malice to Christ, and to prevent, as he thought, the people of the Jews being destroyed by the Romans; though the words have a very good sense which he did not understand. The people Christ was to die for, was not all the, people of the world, nor only the people of the Jews, nor all of them; but all the elect of God, whom God has chosen for his special and peculiar people, and has given to Christ as such: these Christ were to die for, and did, not merely as a martyr, to confirm his doctrine to them, or as an example to teach them meekness, patience, and courage, but in the room and stead of them, as a surety for them; and it was expedient that he should, in such sense, die for them, because of his suretyship engagements, that he might make satisfaction to the law and justice of God, and procure the salvation of his people, and send forth the Spirit to make application of it to them.

Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people--(Also see on Mark 14:53.)