So from that day onThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative. The "day" refers to the aftermath of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, an event that significantly increased His following and influence. This miracle, performed in Bethany near Jerusalem, was a direct challenge to the religious leaders' authority. The phrase indicates a turning point where the religious leaders' opposition to Jesus becomes more resolute and organized. Historically, this reflects the growing tension between Jesus and the Jewish authorities, who felt threatened by His teachings and miracles.
they plotted
The religious leaders, primarily the Pharisees and the chief priests, are the "they" in this context. Their plotting signifies a deliberate and calculated decision to eliminate Jesus. This reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such asPsalm 2:1-2, which speaks of rulers conspiring against the Lord's Anointed. The plotting also highlights the spiritual blindness and hardness of heart among the leaders, who, despite witnessing Jesus' miracles, chose to reject Him.
to kill Him
The intent to kill Jesus underscores the severity of the threat He posed to the established religious order. This decision to seek His death was not just a political maneuver but also a spiritual battle, as Jesus' mission was to bring salvation and challenge the legalistic and corrupt practices of the time. This phrase connects to the broader biblical narrative of the suffering servant inIsaiah 53, who would be "despised and rejected by men." It also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice Jesus would make on the cross, fulfilling His role as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe central figure of the New Testament, whose teachings and miracles are the foundation of Christian faith. In this context, He is the target of the plot.
2.
The SanhedrinThe Jewish ruling council, composed of chief priests and Pharisees, who felt threatened by Jesus' growing influence and miraculous works, particularly the raising of Lazarus.
3.
BethanyThe village where Jesus performed the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead, which precipitated the plot against Him.
4.
CaiaphasThe high priest who, in the preceding verses, suggested that it was better for one man (Jesus) to die for the people than for the whole nation to perish.
5.
The PlotThe decision by the Jewish leaders to kill Jesus, marking a pivotal moment in the Gospel account leading to His crucifixion.
Teaching Points
The Sovereignty of GodDespite human plots, God's divine plan for salvation through Jesus' death and resurrection is fulfilled. Believers can trust in God's ultimate control over all circumstances.
The Cost of DiscipleshipJesus' willingness to face death for the sake of humanity challenges believers to consider the sacrifices they are willing to make for their faith.
The Hardness of HeartThe Sanhedrin's response to Jesus' miracles highlights the danger of a hardened heart that refuses to acknowledge God's work. Believers should remain open to God's truth and guidance.
The Role of Fear in Decision-MakingThe leaders' fear of losing power led them to plot against Jesus. Christians are encouraged to make decisions based on faith and trust in God, rather than fear.
Prophecy and FulfillmentThe events leading to Jesus' crucifixion fulfill Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing the reliability of Scripture and God's faithfulness to His promises.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of John 11:53?
2.How does John 11:53 demonstrate the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan?
3.What role does human decision play in God's sovereignty in John 11:53?
4.How does John 11:53 connect with Isaiah's prophecy about the Messiah's suffering?
5.How can we trust God's plan when facing opposition, as seen in John 11:53?
6.What lessons on perseverance can we learn from Jesus' response to His impending death?
7.Why did the chief priests and Pharisees decide to kill Jesus after John 11:53?
8.How does John 11:53 reflect the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah?
9.What does John 11:53 reveal about the nature of human opposition to divine plans?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from John 11?
11.What is the significance of Lazarus's resurrection by Jesus?
12.Why does this major miracle only appear in John and not in the other Gospels (John 11)?
13.Did Herod want to kill John the Baptist? Yes (Matthew 14:5) No. It was Herodias, the wife of Herod who wanted to kill him. But Herod knew that he was a righteous man and kept him safe (Mark 6:20)
14.Why does John 12:9-11 uniquely mention a plot to kill Lazarus, yet no other Gospel writer reports it?What Does John 11:53 Mean
So“So” ties this verse to the immediate context. The council had just heard Caiaphas declare, “it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” (John 11:50).
• The conjunction signals cause-and-effect: because the religious leaders saw Jesus’ growing influence (John 11:47-48) and heard Caiaphas’ chilling proposal (John 11:49-52), they moved straight from debate to action.
• Similar cause-and-effect moments appear earlier: when Jesus healed on the Sabbath the leaders “began plotting with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus” (Mark 3:6).
• Scripture repeatedly shows human schemes folding into God’s sovereign plan (Acts 2:23).
From that day onThis phrase fixes the timing.
• “That day” points to a specific meeting of the Sanhedrin; afterward the hostility was no longer sporadic but constant.
• Previous attempts were impulsive—people “tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him” (John 7:30; 10:39). Now the opposition becomes organized and unrelenting.
• Luke records the same long-term resolve: “the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to put Him to death; for they feared the people” (Luke 22:2).
They plottedPlotting denotes deliberate, calculated conspiracy.
• The leaders move from irritation to strategy, aligning political, religious, and legal tactics (Matthew 26:3-4).
•Psalm 2:2 foreshadowed this: “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against His Anointed.”
•Acts 4:27-28 confirms that Herod, Pontius Pilate, Gentiles, and Israelites all “conspired,” yet only accomplished what God “had predestined to occur.”
• Their plotting exposes hardened hearts; miracles like Lazarus’ resurrection should have produced worship (John 11:45), but instead intensified hatred.
To kill HimThe ultimate purpose of their plan was Jesus’ death.
• Earlier charges of Sabbath breaking and blasphemy already had them seeking His life (John 5:18; 8:40). Now they formalize the death sentence.
• Their intent fulfills prophecy: “it pleased the LORD to crush Him” (Isaiah 53:10) even as men acted out of malice.
• Peter later tells the crowd, “You killed the Author of life” (Acts 3:15), underlining both the crime and God’s redemptive design.
• Jesus willingly submitted, explaining, “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord” (John 10:18). Human plots could not succeed unless He consented.
summaryJohn 11:53 marks a turning point: because the council rejected the undeniable evidence of Jesus’ deity and authority, they resolved—permanently and strategically—to take His life. Their hatred revealed hardened hearts, yet their conspiracy advanced God’s sovereign plan of redemption foretold in Scripture.
(53)
Then from that day forth they took! counsel . . .--On that day, then, the Sanhedrin officially decreed His death. The remaining question was how they could carry out this decree without exciting a popular tumult, or bringing themselves into collision with the Romans. (Comp. Note on
Matthew 26:4.)
Verse 53. -
Therefore from that clay they took counselto slay him. The
οϋν shows that the advice of Caiaphas was followed, and whereas before this, minor courts and synagogues had plotted the ruin of Jesus, and they themselves had excommunicated his followers (
John 9.), yet, after this evil counsel, they deliberated on the surest and safest way of
destroying him. The sentence had gone forth. They bound themselves to secure his arrest for this purpose. Some of their number, a small minority, including Joseph of Arimathaea, disapproved of this counsel, and withdrew from their society (
Luke 23:51), but the majority overruled the dissidents. This is the very climax of their perversity. They have resolved on the death-penalty. The sentence has been recorded against the Holiest. Priesthood and prophecy have pronounced their final verdict. They have extinguished themselves. Nevertheless, that which proved the occasion of their malice became a further proof of his Divine goodness and superhuman claims.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Soοὖν(oun)Conjunction
Strong's 3767:Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.fromἈπ’(Ap’)Preposition
Strong's 575:From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.thatἐκείνης(ekeinēs)Demonstrative Pronoun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1565:That, that one there, yonder. From ekei; that one (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed.day {on}ἡμέρας(hēmeras)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250:A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.they plottedἐβουλεύσαντο(ebouleusanto)Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1011:To deliberate, take counsel, determine. From boule; to advise, i.e. deliberate, or resolve.toἵνα(hina)Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.killἀποκτείνωσιν(apokteinōsin)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 615:To put to death, kill; fig: I abolish. From apo and kteino; to kill outright; figuratively, to destroy.Him.αὐτόν(auton)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.
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NT Gospels: John 11:53 So from that day forward they took (Jhn Jo Jn) 
