Devine Scripture

John 11:57

What does John 11:57 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:57 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:57 means

The chief priests and Pharisees have issued a command: anyone who knows where Jesus is must report it so they can take Him. This formalizes the opposition and turns the populace into potential informants. The leaders’ determination to arrest Him at the feast reveals their confidence in control and their blindness to God’s plan. The verse closes the chapter with a sense of impending arrest and conflict. It frames the coming days as a collision between human plotting and the sovereign purpose that will unfold through Jesus’ willing submission.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone had knowledge where he was, he was to give them word, so that they might take him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command, that if any one may know where he is, he may shew <FI>it<Fi> , so that they may seize him.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment that if any one knew where he was, he should make it known, that they might take him.

Context

This final note follows the crowds’ speculation and confirms the leaders’ strategy. An order is in place to locate and seize Jesus, making Jerusalem a dangerous place for Him to appear. The chapter ends with tension unresolved, pointing forward to the next scenes where Jesus will come to Bethany again and then enter Jerusalem. The miracle at Bethany has led directly to the plot that will bring Jesus to the cross at Passover, according to the Father’s design.

v.56They sought therefore for Jesus, and spake one with another, as they stood in the temple, What think ye? That he will not come to the feast?

v.57This passage

Cross references

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

  • John 10:39

    They sought again to take him: and he went forth out of their hand.

  • John 8:59

    They took up stones therefore to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple.

  • Psalms 109:4

    For my love they are my adversaries: But Igive myself untoprayer.

  • John 5:16

    And for this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the sabbath.

  • John 9:22

    These things said his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man should confess him to be Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

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