Matthew Poole and continuators on John 11:51

51 And this spake he not of himself : for being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die fot that nation p:

So far as this was a Prophecy, he spake not of himself; take the words of Caiphas in the sense that he spake them, they were such as might well enough come out of such a wretched mouth, speaking out of the abundance of a vile and wretched heart, Melius pereat unus q[illegible: 2 letters]m unitas. That it was better that one man should die, let him be never so Good, Just and Innocent, than that for his sake mischief should come upon a Nation. This was now sutable enough to the Religion of such an High Priest: But that in this (the words being capable of a double sense) Caiphas should deliver a great truth; That this year One should die for the people; that is, The Messiah should be cut off, but not for himself, as we read Dan. 9.26. This was no more from himself, than the words which Balaams Ass spake were from its self. The Spirit of Prophecy sometimes fell upon wicked men; God revealed to Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, (both which were Pagans) the things which he intended to do▪ There was a time also when Saul (tho a man rejected of God) did also Prophecy; and the worst of the Princes of Iudah, had an use of the Vrim and Thummim. So also here Ca[illegible: 1 letter]phas, tho a vile and wicked man, was here influenced by God to Prophecy, and speak an Oracle: nor are those wo[illegible: 2 letters]s [being High Priest that year] superfluously put in, for it being consi[illegible: 1 letter]tent with the Holiness of God, sometimes [illegible: 1 letter]o make use of the Tongues of the worst of men to declare his Will, it seems agreeable to the Wisdom of God in doing it, to make use of principal men, they being Persons whose words are most likely to be regarded, and so make impression upon people. The Papists would from hence infer the i[illegible: 1 letter]fa[illegible: 2 letters]ibility of the Pope, because he is the High Priest: but they ought to prove, 1. That the Office of the Pope, hath any foundation in the word of God. 2. That this was a gift given to particular Priests, and at particular times; for the Iewish High Priests were fallible enough ordinarily, witness Aarons making the golden Calf, and Vrijah the Altar after the pattern of Damascus, 2 Kings 16.10, 11. The words, being High Priest, are not given as a reason why Caiphas Prophecied, tho they are a good reason why God was pleased to chose his Tongue, and over-rule it beyond his own thoughts and intentions, to serve his design in this Revelation. He did not Prophecy intentionally, as designing such a thing onely materially; the matter of his words were indeed a Divine Revelation, tho his intention and scope was fit for none but a base, carnal Politician. God made him a Prophet in what he said, tho he meant not so.