John 11:57 Commentary - Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

1 ) "Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees," (de hoi archiereis kai hoi Pharisaioi) "However the administrative priests and the Pharisees," who had led the collusion, plotting entrapment for an occasion to seize and put Jesus to death, Joh 11:47.

2) "Had given a commandment," (dedokeisan entolas) "Had already given commands," or directions, perhaps to punish anyone who would give housing or shelter to Him during the Passover, without informing them where He was, Joh 11:53.

3) "That, if any man knew where he were," (hina ean tis gno pou estin) "In order that if anyone knew where he was," knew of His presence at all, where He was or might reside. They plotted in secrecy, but were determined to humiliate Him publicly; and Judas Iscariot knew how to aid them in their liquidation collusion, Mar 14:43; Luk 22:47.

4) "He should shew it," (menuse) "He should inform," or make it known to them, disclose it to them, pass the word to them. They dared not seize Jesus in a public place, surrounded by devout people who had been saved, many of whom also had a testimony of healing from Him.

5) "That they might take him." (hopos piasosin auton) "So that they might arrest him," detain Him, so that believers from Galilee, Perea, and Judea might not see Him or gather to praise Him, as the Savior, to embarrassment of these chief priests, Pharisees, the council, and Caiaphas, the High Priest. And they did "take Him," seize Him, by night-time, by bribery, paid to Judas Iscariot, Mat 26:14-16; Joh 18:2-3.