"Then the high priest tore his robes, and said, 'He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?' They answered, 'He deserves death.' ~ Matthew 26.65-66
"The Jews saw the Nazarene as an arrogant impostor, robbing God of his glory by claiming divine prerogatives and even going so far as to claim equality with God. They simply saw him as a self-confessed fraud and a dangerous upstart."
So naturally, to these 'law abiding leaders', He "deserves" death.
In John 18.14 Caiaphas proclaims to the people something absolutely remarkable....
"Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people."
Fearing the response of the Romans, because of the popular following of Christ, Caiaphas made this statement without knowing that there was an incredible truth to its claim. The truth is, one Man must die on behalf of the people. But this is no prophet of God. This remarkable statement made by a despicable human being, actually spoke truth of the very act that was soon to take place.
"Ultimately two voices have spoken in that courtroom, the voice of God and the voice of Satan: both said, 'One for all.' But there is fundamental disagreement between them. God speaks in terms of redemptive substitution, substitutionary atonement; Caiaphas, who is Satan's tool as much as Judas, speaks in terms of elimination. God would have his Son die for his people so that they might live; Caiaphas would have Christ die in order to be rid of him..."
"Thus predestination and human responsibility meet as Christ is condemned."
"this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death." ~ Acts 2.23
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