What does John 11:53 mean?
This is the ultimate verdict of the council which gathered to discuss Jesus' latest miracle: the raising of Lazarus (John 11:39–44). This decision corresponds with Scripture, countering the claim that non-believers only need more evidence (Romans 1:18–20; Luke 16:31). Many of these same men were accused of "refusing" to accept the truth (John 5:39–41). Now, in response to a blatant miracle, they respond with deeper commitment to wipe that evidence away! In fact, their desperation will even extend to seeking death for the man Jesus brought back (John 12:9–11).Prior to this, Jesus' critics have made efforts to arrest or even kill Him (John 7:44–46; 10:39). The moment described here is notable because it's an official ruling. Prior attempts have been half-hearted or arranged by a few angry leaders. This death sentence, as stated here, is now the goal of the entire religious leadership of Jerusalem. Among them are dissenters, either too afraid (John 19:38) or lacking influence to intervene (John 7:50–52). In an official sense, though, this means Jesus' fate has been sealed. The Council is only interested now in finding a way to capture Jesus away from crowds (Mark 12:12; Matthew 21:46). The "trials" He will experience after His arrest are shams: the sentence of death has been pronounced, here, long before He's even arrested.
John 11:45–57 follows Jesus' seventh and most spectacular miraculous ''sign,'' the resurrection of Lazarus. Amazingly, Jesus enemies are so hardened against Him that this miracle only inspires them to have Jesus killed even more quickly. This is one of many examples disproving the claim that non-believers merely lack sufficient evidence. Critics claim Jesus may incite rebellion and invite destruction from Rome. For the most part, however, Jesus is a threat to their pompous arrogance and positions of power. When Jesus maintains a low profile, the religious leaders give orders to find Him so He can be arrested. This sets in motion the critical events completing Jesus' sacrificial death.
Jesus has left the vicinity of Jerusalem to avoid hostile religious leaders. While gone, He receives word that a good friend, Lazarus, is sick. In fact, Lazarus has died by the time this message reaches Jesus. He purposefully waits a few days before returning to Bethany, arriving four days after Lazarus' burial. In front of Lazarus' mourning sisters—who Jesus weeps with—and an assembled crowd, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead in a stirring and spectacular miracle. This is the seventh of John's seven ''signs'' of Jesus' divine power. In response, religious leaders coordinate in their effort to have Jesus murdered.
