Homilies on the Gospel of John

“And one of them, Caiaphas, being the High Priest that same year, said unto them, You know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not,” etc.

1. “The heathen are stuck fast in the destruction which they made; in the trap which they hid is their foot taken.” This has been the case with the Jews. They said that they would kill Jesus, lest the Romans should come and take away their place and nation; and when they had killed Him, these things happened unto them, and when they had done that by doing which they thought to escape, they yet did not escape. He who was slain is in Heaven, and they who slew have for their portion hell. Yet they did not consider these things; but what? “They desired,” It says, “from that day forth to kill Him”, for they said, “The Romans will come, and will take away our nation; and a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being High Priest that year, said,” (being more shameless than the rest,) “You know nothing.” What the others made matter of doubt, and put forth in the way of deliberation, this man cried aloud, shamelessly, openly, audaciously. For what says he? “You know nothing, nor consider that it is expedient that one man should die, and that the whole nation perish not.”