Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 11:47-48

"The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation." — John 11:47-48 (ASV)

They pretended that if Jesus Christ gathered to himself a great party, the Romans would take offense at it – pounce upon the whole nation and destroy it, for fear of its revolting against their rule. A gross falsehood throughout.