If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation' — the leaders' concern is ostensibly religious (everyone will believe) but fundamentally political: they fear Roman intervention and loss of their national and religious autonomy. The raising of Lazarus has apparently increased Jesus' popular following to the point where it poses a perceived political threat. Their reasoning is ironic: their action to prevent Roman intervention will actually precipitate it (as occurred in 70 CE).

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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