After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the Jewish leaders recognized that Lazarus himself had become powerful testimony to Christ’s authority. Their decision to kill him was a deliberate attempt to suppress that testimony and maintain control.
The Miracle That Could Not Be Hidden
John records that news of Lazarus’s resurrection spread quickly:
“Then a great multitude of the Jews… came to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.” (John 12:9)
It was no private event. Everyone heard about it. Because Lazarus was alive again, many believed in Jesus:
“Therefore the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also; because that on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus.” (John 12:10–11)
Earlier, when Lazarus had been raised, the council had met:
“Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, ‘What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. If we let Him alone like this, all will believe in Him… then the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.’” (John 11:47–48)
The leaders feared that public belief would undermine their religious authority and provoke Roman reprisals.
Deliberate Plotting
When it became clear that Lazarus himself was drawing people to Jesus, they took action:
“So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death also.” (John 12:10)
The plot was not reactionary, it was calculated. Lazarus’s testimony threatened their control, so they aimed to remove him.
John clarifies the purpose of the plot:
“But because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus…” (John 12:11)
Lazarus alive was proof of Jesus’ power. Belief based on testimony was spreading. They responded not by examining their hearts, but by silencing the witness.
Despite their plot, Jesus did not remove Lazarus from Jerusalem. Instead, Lazarus’s living testimony remained central. John notes:
“Jesus hid Himself and did not walk openly among the Jews.” (John 12:36)
God protected Lazarus and Jesus until the appointed time, when all things, even opposition, would fulfill redemptive purpose.
My Final Thoughts
The plot to kill Lazarus demonstrates how deeply men will resist clear evidence of Christ’s power. Lazarus himself became living proof, and the leaders would rather silence the evidence than submit to the truth. May we recognize that genuine testimony of God’s power provokes decision, and may we stand with that testimony, regardless of opposition.
