Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 11:52-53

"and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad. So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death." — John 11:52-53 (ASV)

One bold, wicked man can often sway the counsel of men who are equally bad but more cowardly. It had not yet come to this – that they would hurt him to the death; but now they take counsel to put him to death.