John 11:57

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
John 11:57 reveals the culmination of the Jewish religious leaders' escalating hostility towards Jesus, formally declaring a binding decree that anyone knowing His whereabouts must report Him for arrest. This commandment, issued by both the chief priests and the Pharisees, underscores their desperate attempt to neutralize Jesus's growing influence following the miraculous resurrection of Lazarus, fearing His popularity would provoke a Roman intervention that could jeopardize their authority and the nation's fragile peace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** John 11:57 concludes a pivotal chapter in John's Gospel, setting the stage for the Passion narrative. The immediate preceding events are crucial: Jesus's profound miracle of [raising Lazarus from the dead](/john/11-1-44 "John 11:1-44 - The Raising of Lazarus"), which, while leading many to believe in Him ([John 11:45](/john/11-45 "John 11:45 - Many Believe")), simultaneously solidified the resolve of the Jewish authorities to eliminate Him. The Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council, convened and, under the unwitting prophecy of Caiaphas, the high priest, determined that [Jesus must die for the nation](/john/11-47-53 "John 11:47-53 - The Sanhedrin Plots to Kill Jesus"). Following this decision, Jesus withdrew to [Ephraim](/john/11-54 "John 11:54 - Jesus Withdraws to Ephraim"). However, with the Passover feast drawing near, many pilgrims were coming to Jerusalem for purification, and the atmosphere was charged with anticipation as people openly wondered if Jesus would attend the feast ([John 11:55-56](/john/11-55-56 "John 11:55-56 - People Seek Jesus at Passover")). This verse, therefore, serves as the chilling official decree that formalized their intent to capture Him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The chief priests, primarily Sadducees, were the aristocratic, politically powerful group, controlling the Temple and its finances. The Pharisees, while not as politically powerful, held significant influence over the common people due to their strict adherence to the Law and traditions. Both groups, though often at odds, united in their opposition to Jesus, viewing Him as a threat to their established order and interpretations of Judaism. Judea was under Roman occupation, and the Jewish leaders operated under the watchful eye of the Roman governor. Their fear, as articulated by Caiaphas, was that Jesus's messianic claims and popular following would incite a rebellion, leading Rome to [destroy their "place" (Temple) and "nation"](/john/11-48 "John 11:48 - The Sanhedrin's Fear of Roman Intervention"). The Passover feast was a time of heightened religious and nationalistic fervor, making it a sensitive period for the Roman authorities and, consequently, for the Jewish leaders who sought to maintain order and avoid Roman reprisal. The "commandment" was an official edict, carrying the weight of religious and civil authority within the Jewish community.
* **Key Themes:** John 11:57 underscores several significant themes. Firstly, it highlights the **escalating hostility** of the religious establishment towards Jesus, moving from verbal disputes and theological debates to a formal, legally binding decree for His arrest. This reveals their deep-seated rejection of His divine claims and miraculous works. Secondly, it exposes the **abuse of religious and political power**, as those entrusted with spiritual guidance instead conspire to eliminate perceived threats to their own authority and status. Their actions demonstrate a profound spiritual blindness, prioritizing human institutions and political expediency over divine truth and the long-awaited Messiah. Thirdly, the verse serves as direct **foreshadowing of Jesus's arrest and Passion**, setting the immediate stage for the events of Holy Week. It emphasizes the atmosphere of surveillance and tension that surrounded Jesus as His hour approached. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **public involvement and potential betrayal**, as the decree places the burden of reporting Jesus's whereabouts on the general populace, creating a climate of fear and moral compromise.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **commandment (Greek, _entolḗ'_):** This term, while often used for divine injunctions or God's Law, here signifies an "authoritative prescription" or "edict" issued by human authorities. In this context, it denotes a formal, binding instruction or order from the chief priests and Pharisees, making it a legal obligation for anyone in the Jewish community to comply. It carries the weight of an official decree, backed by the highest religious and judicial body, the Sanhedrin.
* **knew (Greek, _ginṓskō'_):** This verb means "to know" in a comprehensive sense, implying not just intellectual awareness but also personal acquaintance or recognition. The decree targets anyone who "knew" Jesus's location, suggesting a level of familiarity or awareness. This broad scope indicates the leaders' desire to leverage any available information from the populace to secure Jesus's capture.
* **take (Greek, _piázō'_):** This word implies "to seize" or "to apprehend." It can suggest a forceful or official arrest, rather than a gentle taking. Its use here clearly indicates the leaders' intent to physically capture Jesus, leading to His trial and eventual execution. The term carries the connotation of an authoritative act of seizure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment":** This clause establishes the source and nature of the decree. "Both" highlights the unusual unity of these often-opposing factions against a common perceived enemy, Jesus. "Had given a commandment" signifies a formal, authoritative edict issued by the highest religious and judicial powers in Judea, making it a binding obligation for the Jewish populace.
* **"that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew [it]":** This specifies the content and scope of the commandment. It was a public mandate, requiring any individual who possessed knowledge of Jesus's location to disclose it. This created an atmosphere of surveillance and fear, placing the onus on the common people to act as informants and potentially betray Jesus.
* **"that they might take him":** This final clause reveals the ultimate purpose of the decree: the apprehension and arrest of Jesus. The leaders' intent was not merely to locate Him, but to seize Him, which would inevitably lead to His trial and crucifixion, thereby eliminating the perceived threat He posed to their authority and the status quo.

#### Literary Devices
The verse powerfully employs **Foreshadowing**, directly preceding and setting the stage for Jesus's eventual arrest and crucifixion. It builds suspense and tension, signaling that the conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities has reached a critical, irreversible point. There is also profound **Irony** at play: the very leaders of God's chosen people, who were meant to recognize and welcome the Messiah, are actively conspiring to eliminate Him, believing they are preserving the nation while unwittingly fulfilling God's redemptive plan. This highlights the **Conflict** between divine truth and human blindness, and between the spiritual kingdom Jesus represents and the earthly power structures that oppose it.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 11:57 stands as a stark testament to the human tendency to resist divine truth when it challenges established power structures and personal comfort. The religious leaders, in their fear of losing control and provoking Rome, chose to suppress the very Messiah they claimed to await, demonstrating a profound spiritual blindness that prioritized institutional preservation over God's revelation. This "commandment" serves as a chilling example of how religious authority can be perverted to oppose God's will, highlighting the dangers of prioritizing human traditions and political expediency over righteousness and justice. It underscores the ongoing tension between the kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world, where the Light often faces intense opposition from those who prefer darkness.

* [Psalm 2:1-2](/psalm/2-1-2 "Why Do the Nations Rage?")
* [Acts 5:29](/acts/5-29 "Obey God Rather Than Men")
* [John 19:10-11](/john/19-10-11 "Pilate's Authority and God's Sovereignty")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
John 11:57 serves as a powerful reminder that opposition to Christ and His truth often comes from unexpected places, even from those who claim religious authority or uphold societal norms. The chief priests and Pharisees, in their zeal to protect their perceived order and avoid Roman intervention, became instruments of injustice, actively seeking to eliminate the source of eternal life. This prompts us to critically examine our own allegiances: Are we more concerned with maintaining comfortable traditions, avoiding conflict, or preserving our own status, than with embracing and proclaiming God's radical truth? This verse challenges us to cultivate spiritual discernment, to recognize when institutional power or popular opinion deviates from divine will, and to courageously stand for Christ even when it means opposing powerful forces or facing personal cost. It calls us to prioritize obedience to God above all human decrees, remembering that true authority ultimately rests with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the fear of external pressures (like Roman intervention for the Jewish leaders) influence our decisions and potentially compromise our faith today?**
* **In what ways might we, or institutions we are part of, inadvertently oppose God's work out of a desire for control or self-preservation?**
* **What does it mean to "shew" Jesus in our contemporary context, and how might we be tempted to withhold that knowledge due to fear or social pressure?**
* **How can we cultivate discernment to recognize when religious or societal authorities are acting contrary to God's will?**

### FAQ
**Why were the chief priests and Pharisees so determined to arrest Jesus?**

Answer: Their determination stemmed primarily from fear and a perceived threat to their authority and the nation's stability. Jesus's growing popularity, especially after the [raising of Lazarus](/john/11-43-44 "John 11:43-44 - Jesus Calls Lazarus Forth"), led them to believe He would incite a rebellion against Rome. They feared that such an uprising would provoke a brutal Roman response, resulting in the destruction of their Temple and nation ([John 11:48](/john/11-48 "John 11:48 - The Sanhedrin's Fear")). Furthermore, Jesus's teachings and claims challenged their interpretations of the Law and their established religious order, undermining their influence among the people. They saw Him as a blasphemer and a dangerous revolutionary.

**What was the "commandment" specifically?**

Answer: The "commandment" was an official, binding decree issued by the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish judicial and religious council, composed of chief priests and Pharisees. It mandated that any individual who knew Jesus's whereabouts was obligated to report Him to the authorities so that He could be apprehended. This was not merely a suggestion but an authoritative edict, carrying the weight of religious and legal obligation within the Jewish community, designed to facilitate Jesus's capture.

**Did this decree apply to everyone?**

Answer: Yes, the phrasing "if any man knew where he were, he should shew [it]" indicates that the decree applied to anyone within the Jewish community who possessed knowledge of Jesus's location. It was a public mandate, placing the responsibility on the populace to act as informants. This created a climate of surveillance and potential betrayal, highlighting the pervasive nature of the religious leaders' efforts to capture Jesus.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
John 11:57, though detailing a human decree aimed at Jesus's destruction, paradoxically underscores the sovereign will of God and the Christ-centered fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, willingly submitted to this human plot, not as a victim of circumstance, but as the divine Son fulfilling His Father's redemptive plan. The "commandment" to take Him was the very means by which He would be led as a [lamb to the slaughter](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Like a Lamb Led to Slaughter"), ultimately offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, orchestrated by human hands and decrees, were all part of God's eternal purpose to reconcile humanity to Himself. Jesus's obedience to death, even to the [death on a cross](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus' Obedience to Death"), was the ultimate act of love and submission, through which He secured our salvation. Thus, this seemingly dark decree becomes a vital step in the unfolding narrative of God's grace, leading to the triumphant cry, "[It is finished!](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished")" and the ultimate [sanctification through His body](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through the Offering of Jesus Christ").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.