John 11:51

Now this he said not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation.

The high priest unwittingly proclaimed Christ as the true paschal lamb whose blood would atone for the sins of the world. By sacrificing Jesus, he brought about a blessing he never dreamed (the remission of sins), and compassed for the nation the very evil he sought to avert.[20]

For another instance of governmental action resulting in authentic prophecy, see my Commentary on Hebrews, Hebrews 9:2.