John 11 56

John 11:56 kjv

Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

John 11:56 nkjv

Then they sought Jesus, and spoke among themselves as they stood in the temple, "What do you think?that He will not come to the feast?"

John 11:56 niv

They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't he coming to the festival at all?"

John 11:56 esv

They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another as they stood in the temple, "What do you think? That he will not come to the feast at all?"

John 11:56 nlt

They kept looking for Jesus, but as they stood around in the Temple, they said to each other, "What do you think? He won't come for Passover, will he?"

John 11 verses

John 11 56 Meaning

John 11:56 describes the anticipation and uncertainty surrounding Jesus' presence at the impending Passover feast. Following the Sanhedrin's decree to arrest Him after Lazarus' resurrection, the people, gathered in the temple courts, openly speculated among themselves whether Jesus would risk coming to the highly anticipated festival. Their questioning reveals both their expectation for His arrival and their awareness of the serious threat to His life, setting the scene for His ultimate confrontation with the authorities in Jerusalem.

John 11 56 Context

John 11:56 takes place just before Jesus' final Passover in Jerusalem, the climax of His earthly ministry. The preceding event is the raising of Lazarus from the dead in Bethany (John 11:1-44), a powerful miracle that significantly increased belief in Jesus but also provoked the Sanhedrin (the Jewish high court). In response to this clear demonstration of Jesus' power and influence, the religious leaders, specifically the chief priests and Pharisees, convened a meeting where they decided that Jesus must die to prevent a Roman intervention and preserve the nation (John 11:47-53). Caiaphas, the high priest, prophesied unwittingly that Jesus would die for the nation and also gather the scattered children of God. As a direct consequence of this decree, Jesus withdrew to a town called Ephraim (John 11:54). John 11:55 sets the scene for the feast, noting that many purified themselves before ascending to Jerusalem, fulfilling Mosaic law for pilgrims. Verse 56 thus captures the public's prevailing sentiment: curiosity, hope, and anxiety, all heightened by the known decree for Jesus' arrest, as they wondered if the Nazarene would dare appear at the holiest of Jewish festivals. This atmosphere of searching and uncertainty precedes Jesus' triumphal entry and ultimate passion.

John 11 56 Word analysis

• They sought (Gk. ἐζήτουν - ezētoun): The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or repeated action, implying ongoing seeking or looking. This was not a one-time question but a prevailing inquiry among the crowds. The motivation for seeking Him was mixed, ranging from genuine curiosity to apprehension regarding the decree for His arrest.
• for Jesus: Emphasizes the specific target of their collective attention and discussion. Jesus was at the center of public discourse and expectation.
• and said to one another: Shows open discussion and deliberation among the people. It signifies the public's engagement with the dilemma of Jesus' whereabouts, indicating both a general interest and an internal debate about His perceived risk.
• as they stood in the temple: (Gk. ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ - en tō hierō). This specifies the location. The temple courts were a bustling public space, a hub of religious activity, conversation, and pilgrimage during feast times. This was where religious leaders held sway and where such sensitive discussions could be overheard. The location adds weight to the tension.
• What do you think?: This phrase (Gk. Τί δοκεῖ ὑμῖν; - Ti dokei hymin?) is a rhetorical question, inviting opinions and revealing uncertainty. It highlights the division and speculation amongst the people.
• that He will not come: (Gk. ὅτι οὐ μὴ ἔλθῃ - hoti ou mē elthē). The Greek phrase uses a double negative (ou mē), which in this context conveys a strong, emphatic negative or an emphatic denial. It expresses a sense of strong doubt or even an assumption of impossibility given the Sanhedrin's decree for His arrest. They are asking, "Surely He won't come, will He?"
• to the feast?: (Gk. εἰς τὴν ἑορτήν - eis tēn heortēn). Refers to the Passover, the most significant annual pilgrimage festival, which mandated attendance for all able-bodied Jewish males in Jerusalem. For Jesus not to attend would be remarkable, especially given His history of observing the feasts. The question underscores the tension between religious obligation/expectation and personal danger.

Words-group analysis

• They sought for Jesus, and said to one another: This phrase establishes the pervasive public curiosity and collective dialogue surrounding Jesus. The open discussion suggests that the plot against Him was common knowledge, making His absence from the feast a topic of intense speculation.
• as they stood in the temple, "What do you think?": The temple as the setting underscores the sacredness of the occasion contrasted with the profanity of the plot against Jesus. The rhetorical question signifies the general anxiety and uncertainty pervading the crowd about whether Jesus would show up and risk capture during the feast.
• "that He will not come to the feast?": This emphatic query expresses deep doubt or disbelief about Jesus' attendance given the explicit threat. It shows the people's awareness of the gravity of the situation, the direct conflict between a religious leader fulfilling His duty by attending Passover and the decree to arrest Him by those in power.

John 11 56 Bonus section

The "Passover" feast was deeply symbolic, commemorating Israel's liberation from Egypt and the protection afforded by the lamb's blood. The Jewish people, observing rites of purification before the feast (John 11:55), ironically were about to participate in events leading to the shedding of the blood of Jesus, the ultimate purifying Lamb of God, who Himself fulfilled the very meaning of the Passover. The intense public speculation about Jesus' presence demonstrates His immense impact on society. People weren't merely curious; His actions had direct implications on their religious beliefs and the established social order. The question implicitly weighs the authority of human decrees against the expected actions of one believed by many to be a prophet or even the Messiah.

John 11 56 Commentary

John 11:56 vividly portrays the tense atmosphere in Jerusalem on the eve of Passover, just before Jesus' final public ministry climax. The pervasive questioning among the pilgrims gathered in the temple underscores the widespread awareness of the Sanhedrin's decree to arrest Jesus (John 11:47-53). Their anticipation is laced with apprehension: would Jesus, the object of both admiration and conspiracy, defy the death sentence and attend the feast, as was His custom? The public's uncertainty highlights the perilous situation and foreshadows the impending confrontation. It reflects a society grappling with loyalty, fear of authority, and religious expectation. Ironically, the feast, meant for purification and remembrance of deliverance, becomes the very stage for the arrest and sacrifice of the true Passover Lamb.