John 11:48
If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The religious leaders are in a panic after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, seeing that many people are now believing in Him. They fear that if Jesus continues to perform such signs, the Roman authorities will intervene, seeing this growing popularity as a threat of rebellion and thus destroying their temple and nation. This fear drives their urgent, secret council to plot Jesus' death, believing it's the only way to preserve their status and control.
The Jewish religious leaders are in a panic after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, a miracle that has convinced many observers. They gather in council, desperately trying to figure out how to stop Jesus, fearing that if he continues to gain followers, the Roman authorities will see it as a rebellion and destroy their temple and nation. This fear of Roman intervention fuels their intense debate about what action to take against Jesus.
When the leaders saw Jesus' growing influence after raising Lazarus, they weren't impressed by God's power. Instead, they were gripped by a cold, calculating fear. What was it they were really afraid of losing?
The chief priests and Pharisees assembled in council, deeply troubled by Jesus' miracles and the crowds flocking to him. Their primary concern wasn't the truth of Jesus' claims or the spiritual well-being of the people. Instead, their fear was rooted in self-preservation and political stability.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about John 11:48 is available in the Sola app.
Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus was a powerful sign, drawing many to believe. Yet, for the religious leaders, this divine act became a source of intense anxiety. How can a miracle intended to reveal God lead to such fear?
The miracle of Lazarus' resurrection was undeniable, a profound display of Jesus' power over death. The Gospel writer notes that 'many of the Jews who had come to Mary and had seen what Jesus did believed in him' (John 11:45).
However, for the established religious authorities, this spectacle was not a confirmation of Jesus' divine mission but a dangerous catalyst.
Understand the original words
topos · Greek Noun
A term often used in the New Testament to denote the physical Temple in Jerusalem or the holy city itself as the center of Jewish national and religious identity.
ethnos · Greek Noun
A distinct group of people bound by common history, law, and covenant relationship with God. In this context, it refers to the Jewish people as a political and spiritual entity.
The Sanhedrin's fear of Roman intervention, expressed in this verse, was not unfounded, as the Roman Empire brutally suppressed Jewish revolts, ultimately destroying Jerusalem and the Temple.
c. AD 6
Roman Procurator Appointed
After the deposition of Herod Archelaus, Rome directly appointed a governor (procurator) to rule Judea, increasing Roman oversight and presence.
c. AD 25-26
Pontius Pilate Appointed Governor
Pontius Pilate began his tenure as the Roman governor of Judea, a period marked by sensitivity to potential Jewish unrest and strict Roman authority.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Growing Popularity
Jesus' public ministry, including numerous miracles like the resurrection of Lazarus, drew large crowds and gained significant popular attention, causing concern among the Jewish leadership.
c. AD 33
Sanhedrin Convenes to Discuss Jesus
The chief priests and Pharisees, alarmed by Jesus' growing following and the potential for Roman intervention, convened the Sanhedrin to decide on a course of action.
c. AD 33
Caiaphas's Prophetic Counsel
High Priest Caiaphas, advocating for Jesus' death, argued it was expedient for one man to die for the nation, a statement recognized by the Gospel writer as unintentional prophecy.
c. AD 33
Jesus is Crucified
Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified under the authority of Pontius Pilate, ostensibly for sedition against Rome.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Fulfilling the fears of the Jewish leaders, a massive Jewish revolt led to the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple, devastating the nation.
This passage echoes the fear of the religious leaders in John 11, who were concerned that Jesus' growing popularity would lead to Roman intervention and the loss of their national standing and religious authority.
Luke 19:41-44Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem, prophesying its destruction by the Romans, directly addresses the 'place and nation' that the leaders feared losing, highlighting the tragic irony that their actions to preserve it would ultimately lead to its ruin.
Matthew 21:42-44Jesus' parable of the tenants, and his quoting of Psalm 118, speaks of a stumbling stone and judgment upon those who reject God's chosen one, reflecting the ultimate consequence of the leaders' decision to reject Jesus for political expediency.
John 11:50Caiaphas' statement that it is better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish provides a stark contrast to the leaders' fearful political calculation, revealing the unintended prophetic depth of his words regarding Christ's redemptive purpose.
Deuteronomy 28:36This Old Testament passage foretells the scattering and subjugation of Israel by a foreign nation as a consequence of disobedience, a prophecy that resonates with the leaders' fear of the Romans coming and taking away their place and nation, which ultimately came to pass.
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…
henryJohn 11:47-53: "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles."
11:47-53 There can hardly be a more clear discovery of the madness that is in man's heart, and of its desperate enmity against God, than what is here recorded. Words of prophecy in the mouth, are not clear evidence of a principle of grace in the heart. The calamity we seek to escape by sin, we take the most effectual course to bring upon our own heads; as those d…
The religious leaders are in a panic after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, seeing that many people are now believing in Him. They fear that if Jesus continues to perform such signs, the Roman authorities will intervene, seeing this growing popularity as a threat of rebellion and thus destroying their temple and nation. This fear drives their urgent, secret council to plot Jesus' death, believing it's the only way to preserve their status and control.
The Jewish religious leaders are in a panic after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, a miracle that has convinced many observers. They gather in council, desperately trying to figure out how to stop Jesus, fearing that if he continues to gain followers, the Roman authorities will see it as a rebellion and destroy their temple and nation. This fear of Roman intervention fuels their intense debate about what action to take against Jesus.
The Jewish religious leaders are in a panic after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, a miracle that has convinced many observers. They gather in council, desperately trying to figure out how to stop Jesus, fearing that if he continues to gain followers, the Roman authorities will see it as a rebellion and destroy their temple and nation. This fear of Roman intervention fuels their intense debate about what action to take against Jesus.
"If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”" — The religious leaders are in a panic after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, seeing that many people are now believing in Him. They fear that if Jesus continues to perform such signs, the Roman aut…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
