Charles Ellicott Commentary 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." — John 11:57 (ASV)

Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees.—If the word translated “both” is regarded as part of the text, it would connect this verse with the fact that the people sought for Jesus—“They on the one hand sought and asked questions about Him; but besides this, the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment . . .” But the great majority of the best manuscripts omit the word, and we must therefore read, Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given commandment . . . The words are an explanation of their question: “Will He come in the face of this commandment?” Their resolve to take Him was the result of their counsel (John 11:53).