John 11:53 (ASV)

Passage

So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death.

Nearby Context

John 11:51 Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation;

John 11:52 and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad.

John 11:53 So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death.

John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed thence into the country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there he tarried with the disciples.

John 11:55 Now the passover of the Jews was at hand: and many went up to Jerusalem out of the country before the passover, to purify themselves.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "forth", "took", "counsel", "might", and "death". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "forth" and "took", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 52's "and not for the nation only but..." into verse 54's "Jesus therefore walked no more openly among...", so "forth" and "took" belong inside that flow. In John context, the local focus is the identity of Jesus, new birth, eternal life, and belief and unbelief.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "forth" and "took" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.