John 11:56
“Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The crowds in the temple wonder among themselves whether Jesus will attend the Passover, now that his life is being sought.
Context
Jesus' fame and notoriety have reached their height. Everyone in Jerusalem knows who he is and knows that the authorities have decided to arrest him. The crowds in the temple are asking each other a simple question: will he come, knowing what waits for him?
What Does John 11:56 Mean?
Imagine the whispered conversations in the porticoes of the temple. 'What do you think? Will he come to the feast?' Some pilgrims had seen Jesus work miracles or had heard him teach. Others had only heard stories. All knew the council had decided to arrest him. The question was not whether they had heard correctly, but whether Jesus would be foolish enough to walk into the trap. There is a kind of tension here, almost a holding of breath. Will he choose safety, or will he choose something else?
What makes this moment so poignant is that only we, reading John's Gospel, know the answer in advance. Jesus will come. He will walk into Jerusalem. He will walk toward his death with full knowledge of what awaits. The crowd's wondering is innocent; they do not yet understand that what they are watching is not a man running from his enemies but a shepherd laying down his life for his sheep. In Christ's willingness to come despite the danger, we see the nature of his love made visible.
Application
We live in a culture that prizes self-protection and the avoidance of risk. Yet we follow one who walked deliberately toward danger because he loved us. His example calls us to ask ourselves: what am I willing to sacrifice for those I love? Where am I called to walk forward despite the cost?