John 11:53

Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Then {G3767} from {G575} that {G1565} day {G2250} forth they took counsel together {G4823} for to {G2443} put {G615} him {G846} to death {G615}.

From that day on, they made plans to have him put to death.

So from that day on they plotted to kill Him.

So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death.

John 11:53 marks a pivotal and ominous turning point in the Gospel narrative, revealing the hardened resolve of the Jewish religious leaders against Jesus following the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus.

Context

This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead in Bethany (John 11:43-44). This undeniable miracle, witnessed by many, caused a stir and led many to believe in Jesus. However, it also greatly alarmed the chief priests and Pharisees, who convened the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial council. Their primary concern, as expressed in John 11:48, was that if Jesus continued performing such signs, everyone would believe in Him, leading the Romans to intervene and destroy "both our place and nation."

During this council, Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year, delivered a crucial, albeit unwitting, prophecy: "it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not" (John 11:50). John clarifies that Caiaphas did not say this of his own accord, but as high priest, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad (John 11:51-52). Thus, from this moment, the decision was made.

Key Themes

  • The Sanhedrin's Deliberate Plot: The phrase "took counsel together" (Greek: symbouleuo - συμβουλεύω) signifies a formal, calculated decision by the highest religious authorities. This wasn't a spontaneous act but a premeditated conspiracy to eliminate Jesus, driven by fear and a desire to maintain their power and status.
  • Rejection of Divine Truth: Faced with overwhelming evidence of Jesus' divine power, the religious leaders chose to suppress the truth and reject Him. Their concern was not with God's will or the Messiah's identity, but with political stability and their own perceived authority.
  • Unwitting Fulfillment of Prophecy: While the leaders intended evil, their decision inadvertently set in motion the events that would lead to Jesus' sacrificial death, fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophecies about the suffering Messiah (e.g., Isaiah 53:5-7) and the specific prophecy spoken by Caiaphas himself.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "took counsel together for to put him to death" emphasizes the definitive and collective nature of their decision. The Greek verb for "took counsel" (συμβουλεύω, symbouleuo) denotes a deliberate consultation or agreement, underscoring that this was a formal resolution by the religious council. Their intent was clear and singular: to kill Jesus.

Significance and Application

John 11:53 is a dark but crucial verse, marking the point of no return for the Jewish leadership's opposition to Jesus. From this day forward, their efforts shifted from merely questioning or opposing Jesus to actively planning His execution. It sets the stage for the events of Passion Week – the betrayal, arrest, trial, and ultimately, the crucifixion.

This verse highlights the stark reality that even in the face of undeniable miracles and divine revelation, human hearts can harden due to fear, pride, and the pursuit of earthly power. It serves as a somber reminder of the cost of rejecting God's truth. Yet, paradoxically, this human plot against Jesus became the means by which God's ultimate plan for salvation was accomplished, as Jesus' death was not a defeat but the ultimate act of love to redeem humanity (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 5:33

    When they heard [that], they were cut [to the heart], and took counsel to slay them.

  • Acts 9:23

    ¶ And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

  • Jeremiah 38:4

    Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.

  • Nehemiah 4:16

    ¶ And it came to pass from that time forth, [that] the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers [were] behind all the house of Judah.

  • Nehemiah 13:21

    Then I testified against them, and said unto them, Why lodge ye about the wall? if ye do [so] again, I will lay hands on you. From that time forth came they no [more] on the sabbath.

  • Psalms 109:4

    For my love they are my adversaries: but I [give myself unto] prayer.

  • Psalms 109:5

    And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.

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