John 11:48

Translations

Modern

If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Traditional

If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.

Literal

If we shall let Him alone like this, all will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and will take away both our place and nation.”

Latin

Si dimittimus eum sic, omnes credent in eum, et venient Romani, et tollent nostrum locum, et gentem.

Original

Greek

English

If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Notes

John 11:48

The council met to discuss what to do about Jesus. During their discussion, they revealed their fear. They were afraid that everyone would believe in him.

If many people believed that Jesus was the Messiah (God’s chosen one), this could cause political trouble. In that time, the Romans ruled over Judea. They did not tolerate leaders who claimed to be kings.

The Romans viewed Jewish messiahs with suspicion. They feared rebellion. The council worried that the growing movement around Jesus might lead the Romans to attack Jerusalem and destroy the temple.

So their concern was not only religious. It was also political. They feared losing their place, their authority, and even their nation.

John 11:1–57

The resurrection of Lazarus points to the future death and resurrection of Jesus. The description of Lazarus’s tomb is similar to the description of the tomb Jesus was placed in after he died (11:38, 44; 20:1, 7). Both accounts mention a cave and burial cloths. These details connect the two events and help us see that Lazarus’s story is a sign.

Soon after Lazarus was raised, a woman anointed Jesus for burial (12:3). This act prepared him for his coming death.

Then the time for his glorification began (12:23).

Theme notes and profiles

Jewish Leaders Martha, Mary, and Lazarus The Jewish High Council The Pharisees Miraculous Signs in the Gospel of John

Events

Chief Priests Conspire Against Jesusc. AD 30

Related verses

1 Thessalonians 2:15–16
…who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men,
Zechariah 14:1–2
Behold, a day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided in your presence.
Matthew 23:35–38
And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.
Daniel 9:26–27
Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed.
Acts 5:28
“We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.”
Matthew 27:25
All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”
Luke 21:20–24
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.
Matthew 21:40–42
Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those tenants?”
Deuteronomy 28:50–68
…a ruthless nation with no respect for the old and no pity for the young.
Luke 8:12
The seeds along the path are those who hear, but the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
Luke 23:28–31
But Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
Matthew 22:7
The king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city.

Parallels

Matthew 26:1–5 Mark 14:1–2 Luke 22:1–2

Places

Rome: Capital city of the Roman Empire

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Caiaphas Eternal Life Jesus Christ John, Gospel of Lazarus Miracle Persecution

Topics

Jesus, the Christ: Escapes to the Town of Ephraim from the Conspiracy Led by Caiaphas, the High Priest Jesus, the Christ: Miracles of Raising of Lazarus Jesus, the Christ: Received Jesus, the Christ: Rejected Prudence in Avoiding his Enemies

John 11:48

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Related verses

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