John Calvin Commentary John 11:46

"But some of them went away to the Pharisees, and told them the things which Jesus had done." — John 11:46 (ASV)

But some of them went away to the Pharisees. In those who accuse Christ we observe detestable ingratitude, or rather horrible rage, from which we infer how blind and mad their impiety is. The resurrection of Lazarus undoubtedly should have softened even hearts of stone; but there is no work of God which impiety will not infect and corrupt by the bitterness of its poison.

So then, before people can profit from miracles, their hearts must be purified. For those who have no fear of God, and no reverence for him, even if they saw heaven and earth mingled, will never cease to reject sound doctrine through obstinate ingratitude. Thus you will see today many enemies of the Gospel, like fanatics, fighting with the open and visible hand of God.

And yet they demand miracles from us, but it is for no other purpose than to show that, in stubborn resistance, they are monsters of men. As for the report being carried to the Pharisees rather than to any others, it is because, in proportion to their hypocrisy, they were fiercer in opposing the Gospel.

For the same reason, he soon afterwards specifically mentions them, when he relates that the council was assembled. They were indeed a part of the priests, but are specially named by the Evangelist because they served as bellows to kindle the rage of the whole council.