The Sanhedrin Meet after Lazarus' Resurrection 

If you learned that someone raised a dead man back to life, would your reaction be to kill the one who performed the miracle? As implausible as this sounds, it was precisely how the Sanhedrin reacted to Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Did Jesus threaten their power over the people? This reveals much about the mindset of the religious authorities and how even beneficent organizations can become blinded by self-interest and fail to engage in honest self-examination.

Jesus performed the resurrection of Lazarus as a final attempt to help the religious rulers recognize him as the Son of God. However, instead of prompting reflection, this miracle intensified their hatred. Seeing Lazarus alive confirmed to them that Jesus possessed extraordinary power, yet they chose to attribute his wonders to evil forces rather than divine authority. Their refusal to acknowledge the truth highlights a dangerous tendency in human thinking: rejecting what threatens one's power and control, even if it leads to destructive outcomes.

The Jewish leaders feared that Jesus' growing popularity would lead to widespread belief in him as the Jewish Messiah. They worried that Roman authorities would view him as a political threat, leading to harsh consequences for all of Israel. Despite awaiting a Messiah, these leaders rejected Jesus because they clung to a non-spiritual, militant interpretation of prophecy. Their authority over religious law and ceremonies fostered a sense of ownership over religious truth, which left no room for the message Jesus preached.

The Sanhedrin repeatedly accused Jesus of blasphemy and of disregarding sacred law, claiming his miracles were evidence of an alliance with demonic forces. As their opposition grew, the council held several meetings to discuss how to neutralize him. Some members resigned in protest against the plan to kill Jesus without a trial, but others were expelled and accused of sympathizing with him. This purging left the Sanhedrin unified in their desire to eliminate him, ensuring no dissenting voices remained. The pursuit of self-preservation became their driving force, overriding justice and compassion.

Lazarus was raised from the dead on Thursday, March 2, 30 CE, and by the following day, the Sanhedrin convened to discuss Jesus' fate. After two hours of bitter debate, a resolution was introduced demanding his immediate execution without trial or precedent. Jesus’ act of resurrecting Lazarus, seen by the Pharisees as a provocative demonstration of power, became the tipping point. His growing influence and the public’s acceptance of him as the Messiah alarmed them, leading to their conclusion that Jesus needed to be silenced to protect Israel from potential Roman intervention.

The Sanhedrin summoned Lazarus and his sisters to testify, and their account confirmed the miracle beyond doubt. However, rather than acknowledging divine power, the council officially attributed Jesus' wonders to the work of the devil. During this session, the high priest Caiaphas famously remarked, "It is better that one man die than that the community perish." This statement encapsulated the Sanhedrin’s logic: sacrificing Jesus was necessary for the greater good, regardless of the truth of his teachings.

Despite knowing the Sanhedrin’s intentions, Jesus remained at peace, resting over the Sabbath in Bethpage with friends. On Sunday morning, he gathered with his apostles at the home of Lazarus in Bethany before beginning their journey back to the encampment in Pella. With each passing event, Jesus’ mission and popularity reached new heights, even as the forces against him prepared for his final betrayal.

The Pharisees and the chief priests later prepared criminal charges to support a death sentence. They objected to the Master’s teachings on the following grounds:

1. He is a friend of publicans and sinners; he receives the ungodly and even eats with them.
2. He is a blasphemer; he talks about God as being his Father and thinks he is equal with God.
3. He is a lawbreaker. He heals disease on the Sabbath and, in many other ways, flouts the sacred law of Israel.
4. He is in league with devils. He works wonders and does seeming miracles by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of devils.

The religious leaders thus crystallized their accusations against Jesus and, in their eyes, sealed his fate.