The Gospel According to John: 11:47-57

Series Introduction:

The theme verse for our series is John 20:31

John 20:31 – “…these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

The “these” John is referring to are the seven recorded SIGNS/miracles and the seven recoded “I Am” STATEMENTS of Jesus. John focused on those 14 key SIGNS and STATEMENTS in order to show us that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior of the World because He’s God’s only begotten Son. God had John write these things so that we would believe and put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ so that by the grace of God we would be FREED from the penalty of our sin and given life to the FULL here on earth and life FOREVER in heaven.

John 11:47-57 (actually go back to v. 45)

[Read Text]:

John 11:45–57 (NASB)

45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. 47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. 48 “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” 51 Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples. 55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the Passover to purify themselves. 56 So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.

Some witnessed the glory of God and recieved Jesus.

(v. 45) 45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him.

Some witnessed the glory of God and rejected Jesus.

(v. 46-53) 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. 47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. 48 “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” 51 Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they planned together to kill Him.

Those that rejected Jesus had a...

Fear of man.

48 “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come...”

Proverbs 29:25 (NASB)

25 The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted.

Galatians 1:10 (NASB)

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Focus on the material.

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

1 Timothy 6:10 (NASB)

10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Hebrews 11:24–26 (NASB)

24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward.

Familiarity with His message.

47 Therefore the chief priests and the Pharisees convened a council, and were saying, “What are we doing? For this man is performing many signs. 48 “If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

A few observations from those that rejected Jesus...

You can listen to Jesus and not learn from Him.

John 11:41–46 (NASB)

41 So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes, and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 “I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.” 43 When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth.” 44 The man who had died came forth, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” 45 Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary, and saw what He had done, believed in Him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done.

You can look for Jesus and not love Him.

56 So they were seeking for Jesus, and were saying to one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think; that He will not come to the feast at all?” 57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where He was, he was to report it, so that they might seize Him.

You can live around Jesus and not live with Him.

54 Therefore Jesus no longer continued to walk publicly among the Jews, but went away from there to the country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there He stayed with the disciples.

Memory Verse of the Week:

John 17:3 (NASB)

3 “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Discussion Questions: (John 11:45-57)

In what ways does Psalm 2:1-4 better help you understand (v. 45-48)?

What were the primary reasons the Pharisees were plotting against Jesus? (v. 48) How is this a warning for us?

How were the Pharisees showing they knew “nothing at all”? (v. 49)

In what ways were this statement from Caiaphas misapplied? (v. 50)

If Caiaphas didn’t speak on His own, where did his words come from and why is that important? (v. 51)

According to the prophesy, why was Jesus going to die? (v. 51-52)

In what ways was prophesying that Jesus would die and planning to kill Jesus very different? (v. 53)

Why did Jesus stop His public ministry? (v. 54) What does that tell you about Him?

What does the timing of all of this being connected to Passover tell you? (v. 55)

Why do you think the people were looking for Jesus? (v. 56-57) Have you had similar motivations when it comes to your relationship with Jesus?

What else does this passage tell us about God?

What else does the text teach us about ourselves?

Did anything else in these verses stick out to you?

How do you believe God is leading you to respond to His word?