John 11:57 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

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

John 11:56 Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

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

Study Lenses

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

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