John 11:57

57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone had knowledge where he was, he was to give them word, so that they might take him.

John 11:57 Meaning and Commentary

John 11:57

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.

John 11:57 In-Context

55 Now the Passover of the Jews was near, and numbers of people went up from the country to Jerusalem to make themselves clean before the Passover.

56 They were looking for Jesus and saying to one another while they were in the Temple, What is your opinion? Will he not come to the feast?

57 Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone had knowledge where he was, he was to give them word, so that they might take him.