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 [BOTH] THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE PHARISEES. The word "both" [ kai (G2532)] should be excluded, as clearly not genuine. HAD GIVEN A COMMANDMENT, THAT, IF ANY MAN KNEW WHERE HE WERE, HE SHOULD SHOW IT, THAT THEY MIGHT TAKE HIM. This is mentioned to account for the conjectures whether He would come, in spite of this determination to seize Him. Remarks: (1) We have already remarked, that as the resurrection of Lazarus and the opening of the eyes of the man born blind were the most wonderful of all our Lord's miracles, so it is precisely these two miracles which are recorded with the minutest detail, and which stand attested by evidence the most unassailable. O...

54-57 Before our gospel passover we must renew our repentance. Thus by a voluntary purification, and by religious exercises, many, more devout than their neighbours, spent some time before the passover at Jerusalem. When we expect to meet God, we must solemnly prepare. No devices of man can alter the purposes of God: and while hypocrites amuse themselves with forms and disputes, and worldly men pursue their own plans, Jesus still orders all things for his own glory and the salvation of his people....

Verse John 11:57. _HAD GIVEN A COMMANDMENT_] Had given order; εντολην, _positive order_, or _injunction_, and perhaps with a grievous _penalty_, that no one should keep the place of his residence a secret. This was their hour, and the power of darkness; and now they are fully determined to take away his life. The order here spoken of was given in consequence of the determination of the council, mentioned John 11:48-43. CHRIST'S sympathy and tenderness, one of the principal subjects in this chapter, have already been particularly noted on John 11:33. His eternal power and Godhead are sufficiently manifested in the resurrection of Lazarus. The whole chapter abounds with great and important tru

EXPOSITION JOHN 11:1 7. _Christ the Antagonist of death—a victory of love and power_._ _The narrative of this chapter is a further advance in the proof that the unbelief of the Jews was aggravated by the greatness of the revelation. The issue of his sublime and culminating act of power, of his supreme and self-revealing work of transcendent tenderness and beauty, was a deeper and wilder passion of hatred. The evangelist completes his series of seven great miracles with one that in true and believing minds, evokes a new sense of the glory of God. This great last sign corresponds with the first (John it.) by being enacted amid the domestic and family life of a small and insignificant town, and also by express reference to the veritable manifestation involved in it of the δόξα Θεοῦ, on which we have frequently commented. Baur

NOW BOTH THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE PHARISEES,.... Who were of the sanhedrim: HAD GIVEN A COMMANDMENT; or published an edict, a decree of the senate: THAT IF ANY MAN KNEW WHERE HE WERE, HE SHOULD SHOW [IT], THAT THEY MIGHT TAKE HIM; and this made it a doubtful point with some, whether he would come to the feast or not; and was the reason why others sought for him, and inquired after him, that they might discover him to the chief priests and Pharisees, and have the promised reward....

Lazarus had been publicly raised from the dead. A great number of persons saw the miracle, and there was never any question about its having been wrought. John 11:45. _Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done._ We could hardly have conceived it possible that men would have been guilty of such conduct as this to post off to Christ's enemies, and lay it as an accusation against him, that he had raised a man from the dead. John 11:47. Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall

CHAPTER 11 _ 1. The Sickness of Lazarus Announced. (John 11:1 .)_ 2. The Delayed Departure and the Death of Lazarus. (John 11:5 .) 3. The Arrival at Bethany. (John 11:17 .) 4. Weeping with Them That Weep. (John 11:28 .) 5. The Resurrection of Lazarus. (John 11:39 .) 6. The Prophecy of Caiaphas. (John 11:47 .) 7. Seeking to Kill Him. (John 11:53 .)...

THE RESULTS OF THE MIRACLE. The majority of the Jews who came to comfort the sisters were convinced, but some remained hostile, and gave information to the Pharisees. The chief priests, _i.e._ the Sadducees, always first when action is needed, and the Pharisees, summon a council. In face of the growing number of adherents their inaction is felt to be unsatisfactory. If it leads to civil disturbance, the Romans will intervene and hold them responsible for their failure to maintain order. Caiaphas, the High Priest of that year, the notable year of the Passion, demands a policy which he pretends to be necessary in the interests of the nation. One must die rather than the whole nation perish. In this the author sees an unconscious prophecy. Jesus would indeed die on behalf of the nation, and of all God's children scattered throughout the world. That the author supposed the High Priesthood to...

THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND THE PHARISEES HAD GIVEN. COMMANDMENT. The Sanhedrim had published an edict commanding any man who knew of his whereabouts to reveal it in order that they might take him. Godet is of the opinion that this order was given to intimidate Christ and his disciples so as to prevent their coming to the Passover. They certainly could have traced him to Ephraim and when he did appear they had to lay their plans very carefully and nearly. week passed before they dared to arrest him. Lightfoot reports. Jewish tradition that, during forty days preceding the Passover, an officer of the Sanhedrim "publicly proclaimed that this man, who by his imposture had seduced the people, ought to be stoned, and that any one who could say aught in his defence was to come forward and speak. But no one doing so he was hanged on the evening before the Passover." It maybe that John refers to some...

ON THE ROAD TO GLORY (John 11:1-5)...