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As in the case of other works of Jesus, Jewish reactions to this miracle were mixed. Some believed, but others carried the story to the Pharisees, who called an emergency meeting of the governing council (vv.45-47). Out of this undoubtedly turbulent meeting came the final plot against Jesus (vv.47-53).
There was only one item on the agenda: what to do about Jesus. To leave him unchecked raised the twin dangers of mass conversion to Jesus and destruction by the Romans of all that the Jews held dear. The irony is that by crucifying him they precipitated both things. Though most of that tale is beyond the scope of John, Caiaphas touched on part of it in his unwitting prophecy—namely, the worldwide mission of the church (cf. vv.51-52). In the face of this threat, Jesus withdrew (v.54).