John 11:57 (ASV)

Passage

Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should show it, that they might take him.

Nearby Context

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.

John 11:56 They sought therefore for Jesus, and spake one with another, as they stood in the temple, What think ye? That he will not come to the feast?

John 11:57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment, that, if any man knew where he was, he should show it, that they might take him.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "chief", "priests", "pharisees", "given", "commandment", "knew", "where", and "should". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "chief" and "priests", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "They sought therefore for Jesus and spake...", giving immediate footing for "chief" and "priests". 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 "chief" and "priests" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.