The Meaning of John 12:10 Explained

John 12:10

KJV: But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

YLT: and the chief priests took counsel, that also Lazarus they may kill,

Darby: But the chief priests took counsel that they might kill Lazarus also,

ASV: But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to death;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

But  the chief priests  consulted  that  they might put  Lazarus  also  to death; 

What does John 12:10 Mean?

Context Summary

John 12:1-11 - Love's Fragrant Gift
Martha's service reminds us of Luke 10:41. The earlier Gospels (Matthew 26:1-75; Mark 14:1-72) do not mention Mary's name, probably because the whole family might have suffered for their intimate identification with Jesus; see John 12:10. But when this Gospel was written the beloved trio had been gathered home to God.
There was no value in the spikenard except to refresh and comfort, but this was sufficient to warrant Mary's act. We must not always be considering the utilitarian side of service. There are hours of holy ecstasy when we are lifted out of ourselves, in the expression of our love to Jesus, in ways that to cold and calculating onlookers seem mere extravagance. In her absorption in Him whom she loved, Mary has incited myriads to similar acts. But her love stirred up the evil in the heart of Judas, as summer's lovely sunshine extracts poison from stagnant ponds. Our Advocate will screen us from our dread accuser. He interpreted Mary's motive. She knew that her Lord would be crucified, and as she thought that there would be no opportunity for love to perform the last offices, she beforehand anointed Him for the burial. [source]

Chapter Summary: John 12

1  Jesus excuses Mary anointing his feet
9  The people flock to see Lazarus
10  The chief priests consult to kill him
12  Jesus rides into Jerusalem
20  Greeks desire to see Jesus
23  He foretells his death
37  The people are generally blinded;
42  yet many chief rulers believe, but do not confess him;
44  therefore Jesus calls earnestly for confession of faith

Greek Commentary for John 12:10

The chief priests took counsel [εβουλευσαντο οι αρχιερεις]
First aorist middle indicative of βουλευω — bouleuō old verb, seen already in John 11:53 which see. The whole Sanhedrin (John 7:32) had decided to put Jesus to death and had asked for information concerning him (John 11:57) that might lead to his arrest, but the Sadducees were specially active now to accomplish the death of Lazarus also Perhaps they argued that, if they should kill both Jesus and Lazarus, then Lazarus would remain dead. The raising of Lazarus has brought matters to a crisis. Incidentally, it may be observed that here we may see the reason why the Synoptics do not tell the story of the raising of Lazarus, if he was still living (cf. the case of Malchus‘s name in John 18:10). [source]
The chief priests []
See on John 12:47. [source]

What do the individual words in John 12:10 mean?

Took counsel however the chief priests that also - Lazarus they might kill
ἐβουλεύσαντο δὲ οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς ἵνα καὶ τὸν Λάζαρον ἀποκτείνωσιν

ἐβουλεύσαντο  Took  counsel 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Plural
Root: βουλεύω  
Sense: to deliberate with one’s self, consider.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἀρχιερεῖς  chief  priests 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀρχιερεύς  
Sense: chief priest, high priest.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
τὸν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Λάζαρον  Lazarus 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: Λάζαρος  
Sense: an inhabitant of Bethany, beloved by Christ and raised from the dead by him.
ἀποκτείνωσιν  they  might  kill 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ἀποκτείνω 
Sense: to kill in any way whatever.