John 11:50-52

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:45-57

(4) The effect of the miracle (sign) upon the multitude and on the authorities . Their final resolve , and its bearing upon the great sacrifice of Calvary . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:46-53

Mistaken patriotism. I. THE FUNDAMENTAL MISAPPREHENSION . We must understand clearly the great and fundamental error that underlay all the animosity of the Pharisees and priests towards Jesus. To understand that error makes their relentless pursuit of Jesus more explicable. Jesus talked much of a kingdom, and what should the Pharisees take that to mean unless a visible kingdom—a kingdom the establishment of which must be contested and prevented by the Roman empire, tolerant, of no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:48-53

The decision of the Sanhedrin. The miracle at Bethany had still more momentous effects . I. THE MEETING OF THE SANHEDRIN . "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What are we doing? for this Man doeth many miracles." 1. It was a conjunction of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, for the chief priests belonged to the Sadducean faction. A common danger engaged them in a common cause. 2. They frankly admitted, not only the Bethany... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:49-52

The counsel of Caiaphas. We have here recorded the witness of the earthly to the heavenly High Priest, of human guile to superhuman innocence and goodness, of worldly policy to disinterested benevolence; of personal, selfish ambition to Divine and ardent love. The Sanhedrin as a whole had testified to the reality of our Lord's miracles; Caiaphas here testified to the sacrificial offering and the world-wide mediation of Christ. And it may be noted that, not long after, Pilate bore witness... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:50

Nor £ consider ; or, nor do ye take account . Hengstenberg shows that where this verb ( λογίζεσθε ) elsewhere occurs, it is used intransitively, and with this Godet agrees; then they take ὅτι , as "because" or for it is expedient for you (the text ὑμῖν is preferred by Meyer, Godet, Westcott and Herr, and the Revised. The chief difference in thought is that it makes the language somewhat more dogmatic, Caiaphas hardly classing himself for the moment with such irresolute... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - John 11:51-52

The evangelist discerned the presence of a deeper meaning in his words not intended by himself. As Balaam and Nebuchadnezzar and even Pharaoh had uttered unconscious or unwilling prophecies, and as in all genuine prophecies there are meanings meant by God beyond what the utterer of them at all conceived possible. So here. This he spake not from himself: but being high priest that awful, critical year, he prophesied . The high priest was believed in ancient times to have the power of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 11:50

It is expedient for us - It is better for us. Literally, “It is profitable for us.”That one man should die - Jesus they regarded as promoting sedition, and as exposing the nation, if he was successful, to the vengeance of the Romans, John 11:48. If he was put to death they supposed the people would be safe. This is all, doubtless, that he meant by his dying for the people. He did not himself intend to speak of his dying as an atonement or a sacrifice; but his words might also express that, and,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 11:51

Not of himself - Though he uttered what proved to be a true prophecy, yet it was accomplished in a way which he did not intend He had a wicked design. He was plotting murder and crime. Yet, wicked as he was, and little as he intended it, God so ordered it that he delivered a most precious truth respecting the atonement. Remark:God may fulfill the words of the wicked in a manner which they do not wish or intend. He may make even their malice and wicked plots the very means of accomplishing his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - John 11:52

Should gather together in one - All his chosen among the Jews and Gentiles. See John 10:16.The children of God - This is spoken not of those who were then Christians, but of all whom God should bring to him; all who would be, in the mercy of God, called, chosen, sanctified among all nations, John 10:16. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - John 11:49-52

John 11:49-52. One of them, named Caiaphas, &c. While some of the council seemed apprehensive of the danger of attempting any thing against Jesus, and, as is probable from John 12:42, urged the unlawfulness of what was proposed to be done, from the consideration of Christ’s innocence and miracles, Caiaphas, who, among the many sudden revolutions which happened in the government about that time, was high- priest that year That memorable year in which Christ was to die; said unto them,... read more

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