Albert Barnes Commentary John 11:49

"But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all," — John 11:49 (ASV)

Caiaphas. See Barnes on Luke 3:2.

Being high-priest that same year. It is probable that the office of high-priest was at first for life, if there was no conduct that made the person unworthy of the office. In that case, the incumbent was removed. Thus Abiathar was removed by Solomon (1 Kings 2:27).

Subsequently, the kings, and especially the conquerors of Judea, claimed and exercised the right of removing the high-priest at will. Consequently, during the time of the Romans, the office was held only for a short time. Caiaphas, for example, held the office for about ten years. (See the Chronological Table at the end of this volume.)

You know nothing at all. That is, you know nothing respecting the subject under consideration. You are fools to hesitate about such a plain case. It is probable that there was a party, even in the Sanhedrin, that was secretly in favour of Jesus as the Messiah. Nicodemus was certainly one of that party (John 7:50–51; John 11:45; John 12:42).

Among the chief rulers, also, many believed on him, etc.