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John 11:47

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 11:47 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.
John 11:47 — American Standard Version

Context — John 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
44He that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
45Many therefore of the Jews, who came to Mary and beheld that which he did, believed on him.
46But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done.
47The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs.
48If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.
49But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,
50nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.
← John 11:46John 11:48 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, etc.] They convened the sanhedrim, the great council of the nation together, of which they were some of the principal members: and said, what do we? that is, why is nothing done? why are we so dilatory? why do we sit still, and do nothing? or what is to be done? this now lies before us, this is to be considered and deliberated on: for this man doth many miracles; this is owned, and could not be denied by them; and should have been a reason why they should have acknowledged him to have been the Messiah, and embraced him; whereas they used it as a reason, why they should think of, and concert some measures, to hinder and put a stop…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“What do we? for this man doeth many miracles--"While we trifle, 'this man,' by His 'many miracles,' will carry all before Him; the popular enthusiasm will bring on a revolution, which will precipitate the Romans upon us, and our all will go down in one common ruin." What a testimony to the reality of our Lord's miracles, and their resistless effect, from His bitterest enemies!”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A council - A meeting of the Sanhedrin, or Great Council of the nation. See the notes at Matthew 2:4. They claimed the right of regulating all the affairs of religion. See the notes at John 1:19. What do we? - What measures are we taking to arrest the progress of his sentiments? For this man doeth many miracles - If they admitted that he performed miracles, it was clear what they ought to do. They should have received him as the Messiah. It may be asked, If they really believed that he worked miracles, why did they not believe on him? To this it may be replied that they did not doubt that impostors might work miracles. See Matthew 24:24. To this opinion they were led, probably, by the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“What do we? - What? Believe. Yea, but death yields to the power of Christ sooner than infidelity. John 11:48”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“gathered: Psa 2:2-4; Mat 26:3, Mat 27:1, Mat 27:2; Mar 14:1; Luk 22:2; Act 4:5, Act 4:6, Act 4:27, Act 4:28, Act 5:21 What: Joh 12:19; Act 4:16, Act 4:17, Act 5:24 John 11:48”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification