John 11:57

Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew [it], that they might take him.

Now {G1161} both {G2532} the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} the Pharisees {G5330} had given {G1325} a commandment {G1785}, that {G2443}, if {G1437} any man {G5100} knew {G1097} where {G4226} he were {G2076}, he should shew {G3377} it, that {G3704} they might take {G4084} him {G846}.

Moreover, the head cohanim and the P’rushim had given orders that anyone knowing Yeshua’s whereabouts should inform them, so that they could have him arrested.

But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that anyone who knew where He was must report it, so that they could arrest Him.

Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should show it, that they might take him.

Commentary

Context of John 11:57

John 11:57 concludes a pivotal chapter that dramatically escalates the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious authorities. Immediately preceding this verse is the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44). This astounding miracle, while leading many to believe in Jesus (John 11:45), also solidified the resolve of the chief priests and Pharisees to eliminate Him. They feared that Jesus's growing popularity would provoke a Roman intervention, leading to the destruction of their nation and temple. Consequently, the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish judicial body, had already convened and made the fateful decision that Jesus must die for the nation.

After this decision, Jesus withdrew to Ephraim (John 11:54). However, as the Passover feast was drawing near (John 11:55), many people from the countryside were coming to Jerusalem for purification, and they were actively seeking Jesus, wondering if He would come to the feast. This verse reveals the official decree issued by the religious leadership to ensure His capture.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Escalating Hostility: This verse underscores the intensifying opposition from the chief priests and Pharisees. Their initial skepticism and verbal challenges have now hardened into a formal, binding decree aimed at Jesus's arrest and eventual death.
  • Conspiracy and Control: The "commandment" reveals a coordinated effort by the highest religious authorities to exert control over the populace and suppress Jesus's influence. They were not merely debating theology but actively orchestrating a legal and political maneuver to capture Him.
  • Foreshadowing of Arrest: John 11:57 serves as a direct prelude to the eventual arrest of Jesus, setting the stage for the Passion narrative. It highlights the atmosphere of tension and surveillance that surrounded Jesus as the Passover approached.
  • Public Involvement: The decree required public participation, placing the burden on any individual who knew Jesus's whereabouts to report Him. This created a climate of fear and potential betrayal among the people.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "commandment" in this context translates the Greek word entolē (ἐντολή). While often used for divine commands (like God's commandments), here it signifies an official, authoritative decree or order issued by human authorities. It denotes a binding instruction or edict, making it a legal obligation for anyone to comply, under penalty of law or religious censure.

Significance and Application

John 11:57 illustrates the profound spiritual and political blindness of the religious leaders, who, in their zeal to preserve their power and traditions, actively sought to eliminate the very Messiah they claimed to await. Their fear of Rome eclipsed their discernment of God's work.

This verse serves as a timeless reminder of the potential for religious and political authorities to abuse their power and oppose divine truth. It highlights the human tendency to prioritize self-preservation and institutional control over righteousness and justice. For believers today, it underscores the importance of discerning truth, even when it comes from unexpected sources, and remaining steadfast in faith despite opposition from powerful institutions or societal pressures.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 109:4

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

  • John 9:22

    These [words] spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

  • John 5:16

    And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day.

  • John 5:18

    Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

  • John 10:39

    ¶ Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

  • John 8:59

    Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
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