John 11:48
What does John 11:48 mean?
A plain-English look at John 11:48 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What John 11:48 means
The leaders fear that if Jesus is left alone, all will believe on Him, and the Romans will take away their place and nation. Their anxiety is about political stability and institutional survival, not about the truth of Jesus’ identity. “Our place” likely refers to their position and the temple system under Roman oversight. Their calculation treats faith in Jesus as a threat to national security. This reveals the costliness of belief in a context where power and privilege are at stake. Ironically, their attempt to save nation and position will move them toward a decision that fulfills God’s plan through Jesus’ death.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If we let him go on in this way, everybody will have belief in him and the Romans will come and take away our place and our nation.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if we may let him alone thus, all will believe in him; and the Romans will come, and will take away both our place and nation.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If we let him alone so, all will believe in him; and the Romans will come, and take away our place and nation.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If we let him thus alone, all will believe on him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.
Context
This verse articulates the council’s fear and motive, framing their opposition as political pragmatism. It justifies, in their minds, drastic action against Jesus. The next verses introduce Caiaphas, the high priest, whose blunt counsel will set the course. John will then interpret Caiaphas’s words as prophetic, showing God’s sovereignty at work even in hostile plots. The narrative shifts from fear to fatal decision-making.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zechariah 13:7
Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith Jehovah of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered; and I will turn my hand upon the little ones.
- John 1:7
The same came for witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.
- Matthew 27:25
And all the people answered and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.
- Matthew 23:35
that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous unto the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the sanctuary and the altar.
- Acts 5:38
And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will be overthrown:
- Luke 8:12
And those by the way side are they that have heard; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.
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