John Calvin Commentary John 18:14

"Now Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people." — John 18:14 (ASV)

Who had given counsel to the Jews. The Evangelist repeats the opinion of Caiaphas, which we previously considered; for God employed the foul mouth of a wicked and treacherous high priest to utter a prediction (John 11:50), just as he guided the tongue of the prophet Balaam, contrary to his wish, so that he was constrained to bless the people, though he desired to curse them, to gain favor with king Balak (Numbers 23:7–8).