Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 11:47

"The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many signs." — John 11:47 (ASV)

As a result of Jesus’ miracle in Bethany, a meeting of the Sanhedrin was called. The council expressed not only disapproval but also frustration. They anticipated that the miracles of Jesus would bring such a wave of popular support that the Romans, fearing a revolution, would intervene by seizing complete authority, thus displacing the Jewish government and destroying the national identity. Their fears revealed a complete misunderstanding of the motives of Jesus, who had no political ambitions whatever. He had already indicated by his refusal to be made king that he had no intention of organizing a revolt against Rome (cf. 6:15).