John 11:47
What does John 11:47 mean?
A plain-English look at John 11:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 11:47 means
The chief priests and Pharisees convene a council, acknowledging that Jesus performs many signs and asking, “What do we?” Their admission of His works does not soften their hearts; instead, it triggers self-preserving strategy. The question is political, not spiritual. Rather than consider the meaning of the signs, they consider how to neutralize their impact. This verse exposes the tragic irony of recognizing evidence yet resisting its implication. The leaders’ concern is not truth but control. Their meeting will soon produce a chillingly pragmatic plan that, unknown to them, aligns with God’s redemptive purpose.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the high priests and the Pharisees had a meeting and said, What are we doing? This man is doing a number of signs.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862the chief priests, therefore, and the Pharisees, gathered together a sanhedrim, and said, `What may we do? because this man doth many signs?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752The chief priests, therefore, and the Pharisees gathered a council and said: What do we, for this man doth many miracles?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890The chief priests, therefore, and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man does many signs.
Context
With the report delivered, the religious authorities assemble to decide on a response. Their deliberation exposes the conflict between Jesus’ signs and their authority. The next verse will make explicit their fear: that belief in Jesus will provoke Roman intervention and cost them their place and nation. This sets up Caiaphas’s proposal of a sacrificial solution, which John will interpret as unintended prophecy about Jesus’ death.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 2:11
This beginning of his signs did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
- Acts 4:16
saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been wrought through them, is manifest to all that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
- Matthew 27:1
Now when morning was come, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:
- Mark 14:1
Now after two days wasthe feast ofthe passover and the unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety, and kill him:
- Acts 5:21
And when they heard this, they entered into the temple about daybreak, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison-house to have them brought.
- John 11:57
Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should show it, that they might take him.
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