“Si dimittimus eum sic, omnes credent in eum, et venient Romani, et tollent nostrum locum, et gentem.”
“If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.”
“If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.””
“If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.””
“If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
The Romans will come upon us, in case he be admitted as our great Messias, and our King. (Witham)
[2.] That which made this matter weighty was the peril they apprehended their church and nation to be in from the Romans (v. 48): "If we do not silence him, and take him off, all men will believe on him; and, this being the setting up of a new king, the Romans will take umbrage at it, and will come with an army, and take away our place and nation, and therefore it is no time to trifle." See what an opinion they have,
Verses 47-53 There can hardly be a more clear discovery of the madness that is in man's heart, and of its desperate enmity against God, than what is here recorded. Words of prophecy in the mouth, are not clear evidence of a principle of grace in the heart. The calamity we seek to escape by sin, we take the most effectual course to bring upon our own heads; as those do who think by opposing Christ's kingdom, to advance their own worldly interest. The fear of the wicked shall come upon them. The conversion of souls is the gathering of them to Christ as their ruler and refuge; and he died to effect this. By dying he purchased them to himself, and the gift of the Holy Ghost for them: his love in dying for believers should unite them closely together.