by the chief priests, are the leaders in the more decisive meas- ures against Christ. Throughout this Gospel the form of ex- pression is either the chief priests alone, or the chief priests and the Pharisees. The only mention of the Pharisees in the history of the passion is Matt. xxvii. 62, where also the expres- sion is the chief priests and Pharisees. The chief priests are the deadly enemies of Christ (Matt. xxvi. 3,14). Similarly, in the Acts, the opposition to the Christians is headed by the priests and Sadducees, who represent the same party. In the two instances where the Pharisees appear, they incline to favor the Christians (v. 834; xxiii. 6).
47. A council (cuvéSpiov). Correctly, and not the council, which would require the article. The meaning is, they called a sitting of the Sanhedrim; probably as distinguished from a formal meeting of that body.
What do we ? The present tense, indicating an emergency. This man is at work teaching and working miracles, and what are we doing
48. Place and nation (rov Tézov Kai Td 9vos). Place, the temple and city (Acts vi. 18; xxi. 28; Matt. xxiv. 15). Na- tion, the civil organization. See on 1 Pet. ii. 9; Luke ii. 32. In the Sanhedrim were many devoted adherents of Rome, and the rest were well aware of the weakness of the national power.
49, Caiaphas. A Sadducee, who held the office for eigh- teen years.
That year. This has been cited to show that John is guilty of a historical error, since, according to the Mosaic law, the high priesthood was held for life. The occurrence of the phrase three times (vv. 49, 51) is significant, and, so far from indicat- ing an error, goes to connect the office of Caiaphas with his part in accomplishing the death of Christ. It devolved on the High- Priest to offer every year the great sacrifice of atonement for sin ; and in that year, that memorable year, it fell to Caiaphas to be the instrument of the sacrifice of Him that taketh away the