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

JOHN 12:10KJV
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John 12:10 (KJV)

What does John 12:10 mean?

John 12:10 describes the chief priests deciding that Lazarus should be killed as well as Jesus. Lazarus had become a target because his presence drew people toward Jesus after Jesus had raised him from the dead.

The narrator reports the priests’ private plan rather than recording a speech. The word “also” links their decision about Lazarus to their earlier plan against Jesus (John 11:53). Lazarus was not merely someone people had heard about; he was alive and visible to the crowd.

The Greek behind John 12:10

  • “consulted” — βουλεύω (bouleuō): The Greek carries the sense of deliberating or reaching a decision. Here, the word presents the threat as a considered plan, not simply a moment of anger.
  • “put … to death” — ἀποκτείνω (apokteinō): The word means to kill. The KJV phrase “put Lazarus also to death” makes clear that the priests’ plan was to end his life.

Why John 12:10 matters

  • Lazarus’s life was drawing attention to Jesus. John 12:9 says a crowd came to see both Jesus and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
  • The priests’ concern involved people’s response to Jesus. John 12:11 says many were leaving on account of Lazarus and believing in Jesus.
  • Lazarus was caught up in a conflict that had already turned deadly. The earlier decision to kill Jesus (John 11:53) gives force to the word “also” in this verse.

Where else these words appear

“consulted” Greek G1011 · used in 6 verses

  • Luke 14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
  • Acts 5:33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
  • Acts 27:39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.

“Lazarus” Greek G2976 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
  • John 11:1 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
  • John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

“put” Greek G615 · used in 71 verses

  • Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
  • Luke 11:48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres.
  • Acts 7:52 Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

“priests” Greek G749 · used in 120 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Mark 14:66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
  • John 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.