He was the chief priest of the temple.  The one who would enter the Holy of Holies each year to make the sacrifices of the people to God.  He came by the job after marrying the daughter of Annas, but he was also a devout follower of the Mosaic Law and true believer in Yahweh.  He was  involved in the treasury of the Sanhedrin and controlled the temple police.  He was also well connected with the Roman government.

When Jesus raised Lazarus, it stirred up the Pharasees and they went immediately to Caiaphas.  He responded in the following way, without realizing  he was predicting precisely what would happen in the next few days.

John 11:49-53       But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all.  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.”  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.  So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

Jesus was becoming a threat to everything the Jews believed in.  He was a rabble rouser just like John, the Baptist.  He had to be stopped. The wheels were set in motion.  The betrayer would lead them to the accused, a mock trial would be rigged, an innocent victim would die for the people.

Isn’t it amazing how God uses even His enemies to complete His work?  Jesus died to obtain freedom for the entire world – freedom from sin and guilt.

ONE MAN DIED FOR ALL!