SIL Translator’s Notes on John 11:47

11:47a

Then: This word introduces the result of the people reporting Jesus’ miracle to the Pharisees, so many English versions translate it as “So.”

the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin: The chief priests and Pharisees were the leading Jewish authorities. These religious leaders announced there would be a council meeting and told all the other council members to come. Here is another way to translate this clause:

the chief priests and the Pharisees called the council together (NET Bible Bible)

It is implied that after they called the council meeting, the meeting actually took place. You may want to make that explicit. For example:

the Pharisees and chief priests met with the Council (Good News Translation)

the chief priests: This phrase refers to the most important of the Jewish priests, the leading priests. These men were important religious authorities, members of the main council of the Jews. These priests were usually not Pharisees but members of a different religious group, the Sadducees. See how you translated this phrase in 7:32. For example:

the leading priests (New Century Version)

Pharisees: This phrase refers to a Jewish group that emphasized the importance of following the law literally and exactly. See the note on 11:46a and how you translated the word there.

Sanhedrin: The Greek word the Berean Standard Bible translated literally as Sanhedrin refers to the court with the highest authority over the Jews. Here are some other ways to translate this word:

the high council (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
the Jewish council (New Century Version)

11:47b

and said: These words introduce what the chief priests and Pharisees said to the other members of the council. Because the words that follow are a question, you may say:

they asked each other (New Living Translation (2004))

What are we to do?: There are two ways to interpret this question:

(1) It is a real question. It says that they are not sure what to do. The speakers were asking for advice. For example:

What should we do? (New Century Version)

(Berean Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It is a rhetorical question. It says that the religious leaders were disappointed because they had not been able to stop Jesus. It seems that they are doing nothing, at least nothing that is effective. The rhetorical question implies that they are doing nothing. For example:

What are we doing? (New American Standard Bible)

(New Jerusalem Bible, New American Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised English Bible, NET Bible Bible, God’s Word)

Either interpretation is possible. You may want to follow the major-language translation used in your area.

we: The pronoun we is inclusive in this context. The speakers from the Jewish leadership were wondering what the whole group should do.

11:47c

The Greek text introduces this sentence with a word that is often translated “because.” The meaning here would be, “What should we do because this man is doing many miracles?” Some translations, like the Berean Standard Bible, do not translate this word, but others do. For example:

What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. (English Standard Version)
-or-
What can we do then, because that person, he has been doing many amazing things. (Kankanaey Back Translation)

This man is performing many signs: The words This man refer to Jesus. The authorities said that Jesus was performing (doing) many miracles. They admitted this fact. Here are other ways to translate this sentence:

This man is doing many miracles. (New Century Version)
-or-
This man is working a lot of miracles. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Look at all the miracles this man is performing! (Good News Translation)

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