John 11 47

John 11:47 kjv

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

John 11:47 nkjv

Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, "What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.

John 11:47 niv

Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. "What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many signs.

John 11:47 esv

So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, "What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.

John 11:47 nlt

Then the leading priests and Pharisees called the high council together. "What are we going to do?" they asked each other. "This man certainly performs many miraculous signs.

John 11 verses

John 11 47 Meaning

The chief priests and Pharisees, confronted by the undeniable miracle of Lazarus's resurrection, plot against Jesus. They acknowledge His powerful signs, realizing these threaten their religious authority and could lead the populace away from them. Their decision to eliminate Jesus stems from a fearful self-preservation, paradoxically acting on behalf of the people they claim to represent.

John 11 47 Context

Chapter 11 of John focuses on the raising of Lazarus from the dead, a powerful demonstration of Jesus' divine authority. This event profoundly impacted the onlookers, with many believing in Jesus as a result. However, this miracle also solidified the opposition from the Jewish religious authorities, the chief priests and Pharisees. They saw Jesus' growing influence and the public's adoration as a direct threat to their established power, position, and control over the religious and social order. Their decision to convene a council signifies a formal step in their plan to neutralize Jesus, fearing His actions would inevitably lead to Roman intervention and the loss of their national and religious autonomy.

John 11 47 Word Analysis

• συνέδριον (synedrion): Council, Sanhedrin. Refers to the Jewish high court, the ruling body.
• συνήγαγον (synēgagon): Gathered together, assembled. Indicates a formal meeting or consultation.
• ἱερεῖς (hiereis): Priests. Primarily referring to the leading priests, including the High Priest, who held significant religious and political power.
• Φαρισαῖοι (Pharisaioi): Pharisees. A prominent religious sect known for their strict adherence to Jewish law and tradition, who were often in conflict with Jesus.
• εἶπον (eipon): Said, spoke.
• Τί ποιοῦμεν (ti poioumen): What are we doing? An expression of concern and planning.
• ὅτι (hoti): Because, that.
• οὗτος (houtos): This (referring to Jesus).
• σημεῖα (sēmeia): Signs, miracles. Acknowledging Jesus' supernatural deeds.
• πολλὰ (polla): Many. Emphasizing the abundance of Jesus' miracles.
• ποιεῖ (poiei): Does, is doing. Present tense indicating ongoing action.
• ἐὰν ἀφῶμεν (ean aphōmen): If we let go, if we permit Him. Conditional clause indicating a potential inaction.
• οὕτως (houtōs): Thus, in this way.
• πάντες (pantes): All. Exaggeration perhaps, or a perception of widespread belief.
• πιστεύσουσιν (pisteusousin): Will believe. Future tense of belief in Jesus.
• εἰς αὐτόν (eis auton): On Him.
• καὶ ἐλευσονται (kai eleusontai): And the Romans will come. Future tense indicating a specific consequence.
• οἱ Ῥωμαῖοι (hoi Rhōmaioi): The Romans. The occupying power.
• καὶ ἀροῦνται (kai arountai): And will take away.
• τόν τε τόπον (ton te topon): Both our place. Referring to their temple, their religious center, and their positions of authority.
• καὶ τὸ ἔθνος (kai to ethnos): And our nation. Their people and their collective identity under God.

Word-Group Analysis

• Chief priests and the Pharisees: This coalition represented the established religious and political elite who felt most threatened by Jesus' popularity and teachings.
• What are we doing? If we let Him thus alone, all men will believe on Him: This highlights their recognition of Jesus' growing impact and the direct challenge it posed to their authority. They understood that Jesus' signs were compelling people to believe.
• and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation: This reveals their pragmatic fear. They were concerned about maintaining their own positions and preserving their nation's relative autonomy from Roman reprisal, should Jesus' movement escalate into an uprising.

John 11 47 Bonus Section

The Romans were already a present force, and any perceived destabilization by a popular religious or political figure could indeed prompt swift and severe action to maintain order. The Jewish leadership was acutely aware of this delicate political balance. The reference to "our place" could also allude to the sanctity of the Temple and their control over its functions. Their plotting foreshadows the ultimate betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus, orchestrated by this same leadership who feared losing everything. This verse is a stark illustration of how perceived threats to power can lead even religious figures to act in opposition to God's own Son.

John 11 47 Commentary

The leaders of Israel, instead of recognizing God's work in Jesus, actively plotted His demise. Their motivation was self-preservation, driven by a fear that Jesus' miracles and growing following would incite Roman intervention, leading to the loss of their leadership roles and the destruction of their nation. This fear blinded them to the spiritual truth presented by Jesus' signs, particularly the resurrection of Lazarus, which was a clear affirmation of divine power. Their decision reflects a prioritization of political stability and personal power over divine truth and the salvation offered through Jesus. It’s a critical moment where human fear overrides divine purpose.