Joh 11:53 - 55  "So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples.  Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover to purify themselves."

The religious leaders were more interested in keeping their status and reflecting challenges to their authority than they were in the authority of God and humble submission to God's Law. Killing became acceptable if it furthered their needs. 

Contrast the Passover celebration, commemoration for leaving God to do the avenging and saving. In preparation there were outward ceremonies of cleansing. There were sacrifices offered for cleansing. However God passes over and searches the purity of heart, mind and soul. "Passover was the time for the Lamb to take the place for the sin of the people. 


[Joh 1:28, 29  "These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!] 

Rev 5:8 -10 "And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth." 

The chief priests and religious elite were looking to sacrifice Jesus. They wanted Him dead and out of the way. 

Joh 11:56, 57  "They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?  Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him."

Jesus came to Bethany, a place where many of His closest and devoted followers lived. Lazarus who He had raised up from the dead, Mary and Martha, were there. Martha known as a servant and Mary the devoted worshiper served Jesus- Mary again anointed Jesus washing His feet with expensive ointment and wiping His feet as a sign of submission and honor. 

Joh 12:1 - 3 "Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.  So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume."

Judas was annoyed by this display of worship and honor. He said it was his concern for the poor, but he was 
wanted to be in charge of the money because he was helping Himself to the money that was given to Jesus by Jesus' followers. 

Jesus quieted Judas; "Leave her alone she is preparing Me for My burial." "You will always have the poor to help after I leave." 

Joh 12:4 - 8  "But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, "Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor? He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it. Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me."

Large crowds had heard Jesus was there in Bethany and they wanted to see Him and Lazarus. The word had spread throughout Israel that Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead.

Joh 12:9  "When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead."

It always happens when you plan to sin and commit sin, you cannot stop with your original intent. Sin always drives you to commit more sin and drives you to continue sinning. Sin is a trap that convicts and judges you. 
So the religious leaders not only planned to murder Jesus, they planned the murder of Lazarus also, to put an end to the people believing in Jesus. 

Sin drives the self-righteous to absurdity, the self-righteous only fool themselves. 

Joh 12:10, 11  "So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well,  because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus."