John 11:47
So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The rulers are in a panic, not because they doubt Jesus' power, but because His undeniable miracles are drawing people to Him. Their question, "What are we to do?", reveals their real fear: not of deception, but of losing their own authority and influence as more and more people believe.
The resurrection of Lazarus, a powerful sign of Jesus' authority, has just occurred, leading many witnesses to believe in Him. This dramatic event forces the religious leaders, the chief priests and Pharisees, to confront the growing movement around Jesus. No longer able to ignore His actions, they convene their council, the Sanhedrin, in a state of emergency to figure out how to stop Him, fearing His growing influence and the potential consequences for their own power and the nation.
Imagine the highest religious leaders, the gatekeepers of tradition, paralyzed by fear and confusion. That's the scene here, facing a crisis they didn't create but now must confront.
The chief priests and Pharisees, the spiritual and political leaders of Israel, assemble in an emergency council. Their immediate reaction isn't awe or inquiry, but a frantic "What are we to do?" This reveals a profound leadership crisis.
Jesus' miracles weren't just flashy displays; they were powerful indicators. But how did the leaders interpret this divine power, and why didn't it lead them to believe?
The core of the leaders' dilemma is Jesus' power, evidenced by His "many signs." This wasn't just a casual observation; it was the central point of their fear and discussion.
Understand the original words
archiereis · Greek Noun
The leading priests in Jerusalem, often members of the Sadducean party, who oversaw the Temple and held significant political power within the Sanhedrin.
synedrion · Greek Noun
The supreme Jewish judicial and religious council, composed of 71 members including the high priest, elders, and chief priests. It held authority over local religious and some civil matters under Roman oversight.
semeia · Greek Noun
Miraculous events or wonders performed by Jesus intended to serve as authentication of his divine identity and messianic mission. They are 'signs' that point beyond themselves to a greater reality concerning Christ.
The religious leaders' fear of Roman reprisal, a political reality of their time, tragically overshadows their recognition of Jesus' miraculous power, leading them to plot his death.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus performs many signs and wonders
Jesus' ministry is marked by numerous miracles, including the raising of Lazarus, which draws significant crowds and belief among the people.
Early 1st century AD
Pharisees and Chief Priests Convene
Alarmed by Jesus' growing influence and the belief he inspires, the religious authorities convene the Sanhedrin to discuss how to stop him.
Early 1st century AD
Caiaphas' Prophetic Counsel
High Priest Caiaphas advises that Jesus must die for the nation, unknowingly prophesying Jesus' atoning sacrifice for all humanity.
Early 1st century AD
Decision to Eliminate Jesus
The council resolves to kill Jesus, fearing that his popularity will lead to Roman intervention and the destruction of their nation and religious system.
This passage shows a similar situation where religious leaders are baffled by the actions of Jesus' followers, asking 'What shall we do with these men?' because of the undeniable signs they perform.
Exodus 7:11This reference highlights the theme of rulers confronting powerful signs and wonders, similar to the chief priests and Pharisees facing Jesus' miracles, though in this case, it was Pharaoh's magicians mimicking Moses.
Deuteronomy 13:1-3This passage addresses the concern of false prophets performing signs and wonders, which likely informed the leaders' fear that Jesus' miracles could be deceptive, even if they were unwilling to fully acknowledge the possibility of divine power.
John 12:19This verse shows the Pharisees' reaction to the growing crowds believing in Jesus, echoing their concern in John 11:48 that 'the world has gone after him,' revealing their fear of Jesus' influence despite acknowledging His miracles.
Matthew 27:18This verse reveals the underlying motive for the leaders' actions – envy – which helps explain why they couldn't simply accept the evidence of Jesus' miracles and instead sought to eliminate Him.
vincentJohn 11:47: "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles."
The chief priestsOf the Sadducean party. This should be constantly kept in mind in reading both John's narrative and that of the Synoptists. The Sadducees, represented by the chief priests, are the leaders in the more decisive measures against Christ. Throughout this Gospel the form of expression is either the chief priests alone, or the chief priests and the Pharis…
calvinJohn 11:45-52: "Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him."
- Many therefore of the Jews, who had come to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him. 46. But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them what Jesus had done. 47. Then the chief priests and Pharisees assembled the council, and said, What do we? for this man doth many miracles. 48. If we let him go on thus, all will believe on him; and the Roma…
The rulers are in a panic, not because they doubt Jesus' power, but because His undeniable miracles are drawing people to Him. Their question, "What are we to do?", reveals their real fear: not of deception, but of losing their own authority and influence as more and more people believe.
The resurrection of Lazarus, a powerful sign of Jesus' authority, has just occurred, leading many witnesses to believe in Him. This dramatic event forces the religious leaders, the chief priests and Pharisees, to confront the growing movement around Jesus. No longer able to ignore His actions, they convene their council, the Sanhedrin, in a state of emergency to figure out how to stop Him, fearing His growing influence and the potential consequences for their own power and the nation.
The resurrection of Lazarus, a powerful sign of Jesus' authority, has just occurred, leading many witnesses to believe in Him. This dramatic event forces the religious leaders, the chief priests and Pharisees, to confront the growing movement around Jesus. No longer able to ignore His actions, they convene their council, the Sanhedrin, in a state of emergency to figure out how to stop Him, fearing His growing influence and the potential consequences for their own power and the nation.
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"So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs." — The rulers are in a panic, not because they doubt Jesus' power, but because His undeniable miracles are drawing people to Him. Their question, "What are we to do?", reveals their real fear: not of de…
