I think Caiphas was expressing a pragmatic “raison de etat” solution to the problem Jesus posed. The Gospel’s writer calling Caiphas machinations a “prophecy” was a use of irony, for Caiphas’ quest to sacrifice one man for the sake of the nation transcended his political aims into a much larger rescue: our own salvation. Caiphas was both unaware of his “prophecy” and of its consequences - more irony there too.
Thanks for your article and insightful point of view
I think Caiphas was expressing a pragmatic “raison de etat” solution to the problem Jesus posed. The Gospel’s writer calling Caiphas machinations a “prophecy” was a use of irony, for Caiphas’ quest to sacrifice one man for the sake of the nation transcended his political aims into a much larger rescue: our own salvation. Caiphas was both unaware of his “prophecy” and of its consequences - more irony there too.