John 11:45-57 - The Jewish Leaders Plot To Kill Jesus
45 Many of the Jews, who came to Mary and saw what he did, believed in him. 46 Some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things that Jesus had done.
47 The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council. They asked what they should do. This man does many signs and miracles. 48 If we let him alone all men will believe in him. Then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.
49 Caiaphas the high priest that year said to them: You know nothing at all. 50 You do not understand that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people. That way the whole nation will not perish. 51 He did not say this from his own understanding. As high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation. 52 He would die for the nation. He would also gather together the children of God that are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death. 54 Jesus did not walk openly among the Jews anymore. He departed into the wilderness of the nearby country. He and his disciples stayed at a city called Ephraim.
55 It was the Jewish Passover. Many went out of the country to Jerusalem to purify themselves before the Passover. 56 They searched for Jesus. They stood in the temple speaking to one another: What do you think? Will he come to the feast? 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that, if any man knew where he was, he should report it that they might seize him.