In John 11:47-48, did Caiaphas call for Jesus to die because "the chief priests and Pharisees" feared for their temple and the nation of Judah? Did they believe He was Son of God yet still wanted to avoid the consequences?
Your statement that the Jewish Religious leaders feared the Roman Government does not line up with scripture should we look at the Gospels:
MATT. 27:11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, “So You are the King of the Jews?” And Jesus said to him, “It is as you say.”
MATT. 27:12 And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not offer any answer.
MATT. 27:13 Then Pilate *said to Him, “Do You not hear how many things they are testifying against You?”
MATT. 27:14 And still He did not answer him in regard to even a single charge, so the governor was greatly amazed.
MATT. 27:15 Now at the Passover Feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted.
MATT. 27:16 And at that time they were holding a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
MATT. 27:17 So when the people gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?”
MATT. 27:18 For he knew that it was because of envy that they had handed Him over.
MATT. 27:19 And while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, “See that you have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him.”
MATT. 27:20 But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas, and to put Jesus to death.
MATT. 27:21 And the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.”
MATT. 27:22 Pilate *said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all *said, “Crucify Him!”
MATT. 27:23 But he said, “Why, what evil has He done?” Yet they kept shouting all the more, saying, “Crucify Him!”
MATT. 27:24 Now when Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but rather that a riot was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this Man’s blood; you yourselves shall see.”
MATT. 27:25 And all the people replied, “His blood shall be on us and on our children!”
MATT. 27:26 Then he released Barabbas for them; but after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.
In the account from Matthew, Pilate is actually defending Messiah's innocence in the first portion of scripture. Throughout this text (v12, v18, v20) we can plainly see that the Religious Leaders are the ones instigating the crowd's anger and rejection of Jesus. Therefore, we know that these men feared nothing concerning the Temple and the Nation of Israel. Furthermore, this national rejection was God's sovereign plan in shedding innocent blood for sin and welcoming Gentiles into His fold. Without this rejection of the Messiah, you and I would have no way to enter into fellowship with God.
Please listen to our Matthew Study for an in-depth explanation of this, particularly Lesson 26G.
Moreover, we suggest listing to our Romans Teaching, specifically Chapters 9–11, to better understand why Israel rejected Messiah.
