OUT OF THE MOUTH

John 11:45-52
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Plot to Kill Jesus

45 Many of the people who were with Mary believed in Jesus when they saw this happen. 46 But some went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. “What are we going to do?” they asked each other. “This man certainly performs many miraculous signs. 48 If we allow him to go on like this, soon everyone will believe in him. Then the Roman army will come and destroy both our Temple and our nation.”

49 Caiaphas, who was high priest at that time, said, “You don’t know what you’re talking about! 50 You don’t realize that it’s better for you that one man should die for the people than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”

51 He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation. 52 And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.


You have probably heard the expression ‘out of the mouths of babies’. It speaks to the idea that there is no telling what a child will say. Children have been known to reveal that family secret, that thing which you wish had stayed behind the closed door of your home.

What is this we hear ‘out of the mouth of Caiaphas’? This high priest among the Pharisees, this enemy of Jesus, speaks a word of prophesy. God used even him to declare a word of truth. “Jesus would die for the entire nation.” The words from Caiaphas mouth indeed came to pass.

Who God uses to speak His truth is within His sovereign will. When and where you least expect it, have the antenna of your spirit up for a message from God. The Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer will witness to the truth of the Word, no matter the mouth it comes from. In like manner, the Holy Spirit will trouble the believer’s spirit when the word is not of God.