John 11 57

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.

John 11:57 nkjv

Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.

John 11:57 niv

But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.

John 11:57 esv

Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should let them know, so that they might arrest him.

John 11:57 nlt

Meanwhile, the leading priests and Pharisees had publicly ordered that anyone seeing Jesus must report it immediately so they could arrest him.

John 11 verses

John 11 57 Meaning

John 11:57 reveals that the top religious leaders, specifically the chief priests and the Pharisees, had already issued an official directive. This decree commanded that any person with knowledge of Jesus's whereabouts must immediately disclose it to them. The clear and singular purpose behind this order was to facilitate Jesus's arrest, underscoring their escalated determination to seize Him.

John 11 57 Context

John 11:57 appears immediately after the pivotal event of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This miracle profoundly impacted many, leading them to believe in Jesus. However, it also intensified the opposition from the religious authorities. The previous verses (Jn 11:47-53) recount the Sanhedrin convening a formal council, where they explicitly determined that Jesus must die to preserve their status and avoid potential Roman intervention. This verse, therefore, marks a dramatic escalation of their efforts from secret plotting to a public, official warrant for Jesus's arrest, setting in motion the final stages leading to His passion. Historically, Jerusalem was a city under Roman oversight, where religious and civil powers frequently intersected, particularly around major feasts when large crowds and potential unrest were a concern. The leaders' fear of losing their "place" and "nation" to the Romans (Jn 11:48) was a very real socio-political concern.

John 11 57 Word analysis

• Now (Greek: De - δέ): A simple conjunction, often indicating transition or consequence, suggesting this action flows directly from the Sanhedrin's previous decision to put Jesus to death.
• the chief priests (Greek: hoi archiereis - οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς): Refers to the priestly aristocracy, often Sadducees, who controlled the Temple operations, finances, and held significant political power, especially the High Priest and his family. They were most concerned with maintaining the status quo with Rome.
• and the Pharisees (Greek: kai hoi Pharisaiōi - καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι): A prominent Jewish religious-political movement, experts in the Law and oral tradition. They held influence over the populace. Though often at odds with the Sadducees (chief priests), their shared opposition to Jesus, whom they saw as undermining their authority and interpretations, led to a temporary alliance here.
• had given orders (Greek: dedōkeisan entolas - δεδώκεισαν ἐντολάς): This uses the perfect tense of didōmi (to give), signifying a completed action with ongoing results. It means they "had issued commands" or "published decrees." This wasn't a casual discussion but a formal, established mandate, indicating an official warrant or proclamation that likely had public awareness.
• that if anyone knew where Jesus was (Greek: hina ean tis gnōi pou estin ho Iēsous - ἵνα ἐάν τις γνῷ ποῦ ἐστιν ὁ Ἰησοῦς): This clause describes the specific content of the order. "Knew" (gnōi, present subjunctive) implies any current or future knowledge. It transforms the general populace into potential informants.
• he should report it (Greek: apangeilai - ἀπαγγείλῃ): To "report" or "announce." This signifies a compulsory notification, a direct instruction to bring this information to the authorities. It created an atmosphere of surveillance and forced participation in Jesus's apprehension.
• so that (Greek: hina - ἵνα): A purpose clause, clearly stating the direct intention.
• they might arrest him (Greek: piasōsin auton - πιάσωσιν αὐτόν): To "seize," "apprehend," or "lay hold of" Him. This reveals their determined, active intent to physically capture Jesus. The term implies taking custody, not merely detaining.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders": This highlights a powerful, unified, official directive from the highest religious and moral authorities. It signifies institutional consensus against Jesus. The blend of Sadducean (chief priests) and Pharisaic (Pharisees) influence indicates the widespread nature of this decree and opposition.
• "if anyone knew where Jesus was, he should report it": This phrase details a systemic effort to involve the public, turning them into a network of informants. It creates a climate of fear and suspicion, where compliance is expected and dissent potentially penalized. This transformed a targeted search into a broader societal expectation.
• "so that they might arrest him": This unambiguous statement defines the ultimate goal of the decree. It leaves no doubt about their aggressive and determined intent, directly linking the reporting mechanism to the violent apprehension of Jesus. It solidifies the idea that Jesus was actively being hunted.

John 11 57 Bonus section

The issuing of such a public decree created an environment similar to a 'most wanted' bulletin. This would have caused widespread tension, with individuals potentially weighing their loyalty to Jesus against the punitive actions the religious authorities could enact if their command was disregarded. This measure underscores the considerable social and religious pressure exerted on the common people. The chief priests, representing the powerful temple aristocracy and maintaining their authority through their close relationship with Rome, along with the Pharisees, who commanded public respect through their legal interpretations, formed a formidable coalition against Jesus, signaling the most severe opposition possible from within Judaism. The term "entolas" (orders/commands) also carries the connotation of religious or legal mandates, adding a layer of moral obligation to the act of informing, which makes it particularly insidious in a deeply religious society. This order effectively served as the official launch of the final hunt for Jesus, concluding with His capture and passion.

John 11 57 Commentary

John 11:57 is a concise but potent declaration that transforms the religious leaders' secret conspiracy against Jesus (Jn 11:47-53) into an official, publicly enforced mandate. Following the undeniable miracle of Lazarus's resurrection, the Sanhedrin's fear, rooted in the potential loss of their power and Roman favor, escalated into decisive action. They established a clear command, leveraging their authority to enlist the general populace in their pursuit of Jesus. This order not only signals a new, heightened phase of their opposition but also subtly illustrates their desperation. It essentially puts a bounty on Jesus, requiring public denunciation as an act of civic-religious duty, establishing a framework of surveillance. The verse directly leads to Jesus's withdrawal from public view, further demonstrating the imminent danger He faced and foreshadowing His eventual betrayal and arrest as the events unfold towards Passover. This action effectively demonizes Jesus by officially classifying Him as a fugitive or a public menace to be apprehended.