53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death. 54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples. 55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves. 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? 57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him. (John 11:53-57 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. How baneful and destructive evil counsel is, especially out of the mouths of leading men, and how soon embraced and followed. Caiaphas no sooner propounds the putting of Christ to death, but from that day forward they lie in wait to take him. The high priests had satisfied their consciences, and now they make all possible speed to put their malicious designs and purposes in execution.
Observe, 2. The prudential care and means which our Lord used for his own preservation: to avoid their fury, he withdraws himself privately into a place called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
Learn, As Christ himself fled, so is it lawful for his servants to flee, when their life is conspired against by their bloody enemies, and the persecution is personal.
Observe, 3. When the time was come that he was to expose himself, when the time of the passover drew near, in which he, being the true Paschal Lamb, was to be slain, to put an end to that type, he withdraws no more, but surrenders himself to the rage and fury of his enemies, and dies a shameful death for shameless sinners, as the next chapter more at large informs us.