When Enemies Preach the Gospel, Part 2

Today we will consider another example of an enemy of Christ preaching His gospel. That enemy was Caiaphas, the high priest, who was a ringleader in the conspiracy to have our Lord Jesus killed. In the following account we find Caiaphas quite unbeknown to himself preaching the gospel.

John 11:47 Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

The particular event that sparked the gathering of this council was the raising of Lazurus from the dead by our Lord. As might be expected, this miracle gained our Lord a considerable amount of notoriety. The chief priests and Pharisees feared a mass conversion to Jesus that would threaten their place of prestige and power. They also feared that the Romans might feel threatened by the popularity of Jesus and would come and destroy their nation. So they consulted among themselves as to how to deal with this threat. It was in response to their fear that Caiphas spoke these words that express the very gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

First of all, notice the arrogance of Caiphas in telling the others that they knew nothing at all. After all, he was the high priest and he should know best. Being the high priest, they would not dare gainsay him. It is not uncommon for those in places of authority to use their position to intimidate others. The message is clear: “What do you know? I am Mr. Big Shot. Listen to me.” However, he was correct in saying that they knew nothing at all. For when it came to Jesus, they were in gross ignorance. But so was Caiphas. He did not even know what he was saying when he said it.

Caiphas’ opinion was that it was expedient that one should die for the people with the result that the whole nation would not perish. Commenting on his statement the Holy Spirit informs us that Caiphas did not speak this of himself, but that being high priest that year he prophesied regarding the death of Jesus. The high priest in Israel was supposed to be a messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Malachi 2:7 For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

Quite without intending it, Caiphas was being God’s messenger proclaiming the gospel of the substitutionary death of Christ. He prophesied that Christ would die for the people so that they would not perish. His words were right in harmony with the proclamation of our Lord Jesus regarding His crucifixion death.

John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Caiphas did not speak this of himself. To preach Christ’s gospel was the furthest thing from his mind. Of himself he was suggesting a way to secure his own place and his nation from the wrath of Rome. However, his suggested method was according to the divine plan to save men from the wrath of God.

Furthermore, Caiphas taught the gospel of limited atonement. That is, that Christ would die for the elect to save them from perishing rather than dying for all mankind. He preached that Christ would die “for the people, that the whole nation perish not.” He saw Christ’s death as saving the nation, not the entire mass of mankind. Of course, being a Jew, he believed his nation was the chosen people of God. The Holy Spirit gives a commentary on Caiphas’ prophecy and points out that Jesus would not die for that nation only, “but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” This is precisely the doctrine of the substitutionary death of Christ. Christ died for the children of God, those given to Him by the Father to save.

Hebrews 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

Those who make up the children of God are God’s elect from among the Jews, called in our passage that nation, and God’s elect from among the Gentiles, who are scattered abroad. Paul shows who makes up God’s elect children in that great election chapter, Romans 9.

Romans 9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

That verse 24 of Romans 9 sounds a lot like the Holy Spirit’s commentary on the words of Caiphas. Caiphas didn’t know it, but he was preaching Paul’s doctrine. And because of Christ’s death on the cross, all of God’s children, Jew and Gentile, will be gathered together in one, which will mark the culmination of the salvation of all of God’s elect.

Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Because Christ died for the people, the whole nation or all of God’s elect, shall never perish. Yes, Caiphas, the archenemy of Jesus Christ, preached a great gospel sermon that day. As a preacher, Caiphas did a good job. But I would not recommend him for your pastor.