John Gill 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
Who were of the sanhedrim:

had given a commandment ;
or published an edict, a decree of the senate:

that if any man knew where he were, he should show [it], that they
might take him ;
and this made it a doubtful point with some, whether he would come to the feast or not; and was the reason why others sought for him, and inquired after him, that they might discover him to the chief priests and Pharisees, and have the promised reward.