Jesus and the Pharisees: A Conflict of Kingdoms
A Historical Novel Based on the Gospels
(John 11:45–53)
The village of Bethany buzzed with whispers and astonished laughter. Men ran along the narrow streets calling to their neighbours. Women clutched their shawls to their mouths, eyes wide with wonder. Children scampered barefoot, shouting, “Lazarus is alive! Lazarus is alive!”
In the warm afternoon light, Lazarus stood at the door of his house, greeting those who came. His sisters, Mary and Martha, wept tears of joy, clinging to him as if afraid he might slip away again.
Many of the Jews who had come to mourn with them believed in Jesus when they saw what He had done. But not all hearts softened that day.
Some slipped away through the olive groves, their footsteps silent over fallen leaves. They travelled swiftly to Jerusalem, climbing the limestone streets until they reached the temple courts, where the Pharisees gathered in shaded porticoes to debate the law.
Bursts of alarmed conversation rose as the messengers relayed what they had seen.
“He called him out of the tomb… four days dead… now alive…” their voices trembled with both fear and awe.
The Pharisees exchanged worried glances. Without a word, they rose and hurried towards the chamber of the Sanhedrin, robes billowing behind them.
Inside, the high priest Caiaphas sat on a carved stone seat, the council gathered around him – chief priests, elders, and Pharisees. Murmurs filled the hall like restless wind in a cave.
“What are we to do?” one of them demanded, voice cracking with panic. “For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” (John 11:47–48)
Caiaphas lifted his chin, his dark eyes flashing with impatient authority.
“You know nothing at all,” he said coldly, his voice echoing off the marble pillars. “Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” (John 11:49–50)
The room fell silent. Though he spoke as a politician, in that moment, unknown even to himself, he prophesied as high priest. For John recorded:
“He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.” (John 11:51–52)
From that day on, their decision was made. Their hearts, bound by fear of Rome and blinded by jealousy, sealed a plot that would echo through eternity.
They rose as one, gathering their robes around them, whispering their dark resolve as they left the chamber:
“So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.” (John 11:53)
Outside, the sun dipped behind the Mount of Olives, casting long shadows over Jerusalem. And in Bethany, Lazarus sat quietly under the flickering lamplight, his sisters by his side, while Jesus withdrew from public places, knowing that the hour appointed by His Father was drawing near.