Charles Ellicott Commentary John 12:10

"But the chief priests took counsel that they might put Lazarus also to death;" — John 12:10 (ASV)

But the chief priests consulted.—The chief priests were for the most part Sadducees (Acts 5:17). They have been acting with the Pharisees from John 11:47 and following. Their animus is shown in that, while no charge is brought against Lazarus, his life is a witness to the divinity of Him whom they have condemned to death, and a denial of their own doctrine that there is no resurrection (Acts 23:8). The words do not mean that they came to a final decision to put him to death, but that they took counsel on the matter, and watched their opportunity.