Matthew Henry Commentary John 11:47-53

"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. But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation; 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 11:47-53 (ASV)

There can hardly be a clearer discovery of the madness that is in the human heart, and of its desperate enmity against God, than what is recorded here. Words of prophecy in the mouth are not clear evidence of a principle of grace in the heart.

The calamity we seek to escape by sin is the very one we most effectively bring upon our own heads. This is true of those who think that by opposing Christ's kingdom, they can advance their own worldly interests. The fear of the wicked will come upon them.

The conversion of souls is their gathering to Christ as their ruler and refuge, and he died to accomplish this. By dying, he purchased them for himself and obtained for them the gift of the Holy Ghost; his love in dying for believers should unite them closely.