high priest the.t same year, ee.id unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nnd do not reflect thnt it ls expedient for ue the.t one mnn should die for the people, and that tbe wholo nation perish not." 1. This Uaiaphas was a Sadducee, and hold tho office of high priest from 26 till 36 of our era, and therefore during that momentous year. 2. .Eiis suggestion was purely political, and involved nothing less than the destruction of an innocent mnn to snve the Jewish commonwealth. It was a truly diabolic suggestion; for, th.ough the represente.tive of God, Caiaphaa holds that it is right to do evil that good may come. He does not suggest that Jesus was guilty of any crime. A perfectly innocent man was to be sacrificed for the public advantage. 3. The evil sugge.9ti011, was an unconscious prophecy. "Now this he spake not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but also that he should gather together in one body the children of God that '\\ere scattered." (1) It was the function of the high priest to announce the decision of the Most High for the benefit of the people. (2) The declaration of Caiaphas was a prophecy in the literal sense, though he had himself no true sense of its blessed import. (3) It was not unusual for God to make evil men the organs of prophetic communication. Caiaphas, like Balaam, declared the mind of God. ( 4) 'l'he prophecy had a wider scope than the high priest imagined, for it spoke of the death of Christ as having relation to Gentiles as well as Jews. '!'he children of God everywhere were to be gathered into one body in Christ. III. THE EFFE0TB OF CAIAPHAS'B EVIL COUNSEL. "Then from that day forth they took counsel to put him to death." 1. This shows the baneful influence of evil cownsel. The Sanhedrin were ready to act upon the fatal advice of the high priest. There was no longer any hesitation or irresolution among the rulers of the people. 2. But the <J'Uesti011, was still for consideration how Jesus could be put to dea.th without stirring up a popular tumult and 'bringing themselves into collisim with the Roman authorities. Vers. 64-57.-A brief period of retirement. Jesus was now forced to withdraw for a time into a lonely place, so as to place himself beyond the reach of the Sanhedrin. I. THE PLAOE OF HIS RETIREMENT. "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence into a country near to the wilderness, into a city ea.lied Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples." 1. The place lay some distance fl,Of'th of Jerusalem, on the borders of the desert. 2. It was well adapted /or a brief period of quiet and un'broken intercourse with his disciples, that he might prepare them for his approaching end. II. THE CURIOSITY OF THE COUNTRY PEOPLE .!!r JERUSALEM RESPECTING JESUS. 1. It was near the time of the Passover, and many Jews had gone np to purify them- selves for the feast. 2. They had heard so much respecting his miracles, his parables, his discourses, that they sought him out to gratify a not unnatural curiosity. "They said among themselves, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?" The question suggests that, aware of the plot of the Sanhedrin for his destruction, Jesus might stay away from the feast. 3. They had been made acquainted with the decree of the Sanl,edrin. " Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had also given a co=andment, that, if any man heard where he was, he should show it, that they might take him." (1) Jesus had disappeared from Bethany immediately after the raising of Lazarus. 'l'he Jews could not trace his movements after that event. (2) The commandment of the chief priests and Pharisees betrays an extreme anxiety to arrest J esw, and put an end to a career so fatally disturbing to all their ideas and hopes.
HOMILIES BY VAIUOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 5.-Jesus as a Friend. Whilst the narratives of the four evangelists are chiefly concerned with the Saviour's publio ministry, it is interesting to be allowed, with their 11id, now and ngain to gain a glimpse into the sanctuary of his more private life, his more intimate associe.tions with his personal friends. The simplicity (lf the statement made in this' ,erse is just what might be expected from St. John. Himself a chosen and beloved companion and friend, he knew how tender was the Master's heart, and took pleasure in recording instances of his sympathy and affection. 106 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. [cH. xr.1-67.