Devine Scripture

John 11:49

What does John 11:49 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:49 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:49 means

Caiaphas, the high priest that year, rebukes the council as ignorant. His tone is authoritative and dismissive, positioning himself to offer a solution. As high priest, his words carry weight in both religious and political matters. His impatience signals that considerations of justice or truth are secondary to expedience. The verse introduces the speaker of the next deadly proposal. Unwittingly, the one vested with priestly office will voice a plan that, in God’s hands, becomes a profound prophecy about the saving death of Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, You have no knowledge of anything;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being chief priest of that year, said to them, `Ye have not known anything,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But one of them, named Caiphas, being the high priest that year, said to them: You know nothing.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, Ye know nothing

Context

Following the leaders’ anxious debate, Caiaphas steps forward as the decisive voice. His rebuke sets up his proposal in the next verse—that one man should die for the people to spare the nation. After this, John will comment that Caiaphas, as high priest, prophesied about Jesus’ death. Thus, this verse functions as the prelude to both human calculation and divine orchestration, moving the council from fear to a settled plot.

v.48If 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.

v.49This passage

v.50nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 7:48

    Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?

  • 1 Corinthians 3:18

    Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:6

    We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:

  • Isaiah 5:20

    Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

  • 1 Corinthians 1:20

    Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

  • Proverbs 26:12

    Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

Related questions readers ask

Keep reading

Want to dig deeper? Explore John 11

Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on John 11.

Keep exploring

Follow this verse across Scripture

Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to John 11:49.

Browse every hub

BibleTopicsBible answersDevotionalsFamous passagesWord studiesPeoplePlacesVerses for…Reading plansCommentary