Devine Scripture

John 11:52

What does John 11:52 mean?

A plain-English look at John 11:52 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 11:52 means

John adds that Jesus would die not for the nation only, but to gather into one the children of God scattered abroad. The scope of Jesus’ death reaches beyond Israel to all whom God will call from the nations. His cross will create a single people, united in Him. This anticipates the Gospel’s worldwide mission and the inclusion of Gentiles who believe. The verse reveals the centripetal force of Christ’s work—drawing the dispersed into one family under one Shepherd. The leaders seek to save their place; God intends to save a people from every place through Jesus’ death.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And not for that nation only, but for the purpose of uniting in one body the children of God all over the world.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and not for the nation only, but that also the children of God, who have been scattered abroad, he may gather together into one.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And not only for the nation, but to gather together in one the children of God that were dispersed.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and not for the nation only, but that he should also gather together into one the children ofGod who were scattered abroad.

Context

Building on the previous verse, John extends the prophetic meaning of Caiaphas’s words to a global horizon. The planned execution becomes, in God’s design, the means to gather the scattered. With this theological frame complete, the narrative returns to the council’s practical outcome. The next verse will state their settled decision to put Jesus to death, which in turn prompts Jesus to withdraw until the appointed Passover approaches.

v.51Now this he said not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation;

v.52This passage

v.53So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 18:10

    for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to harm thee: for I have much people in this city.

  • John 12:32

    And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.

  • Psalms 22:15

    My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death.

  • Ezekiel 11:16

    Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Whereas I have removed them far off among the nations, and whereas I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them a sanctuary for a little while in the countries where they are come.

  • Ephesians 2:14

    For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,

  • Romans 9:25

    As he saith also in Hosea, I will call that my people, which was not my people; And her beloved, that was not beloved.

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