John 11:52

and not only for the nation, but also for the scattered children of God, to gather them together into one.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Caiaphas, serving as high priest that year, addresses the Jewish council while prophesying that Jesus will die for the nation. His declaration occurs immediately before the leaders formalize their plot to kill Him.

The words — The Greek ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἔθνους (huper tou ethnous) translates literally as "for the nation," while ἵνα (ina) introduces the purpose clause "to gather them together." These terms establish the scope and intended outcome of the prophetic statement.

The thread — The gathering of dispersed believers appears in John 10:16, where Jesus claims other sheep outside the fold, and in Isaiah 49:6, which extends the Servant’s mission beyond Jacob. The universal scope of this gathering is echoed in 1 John 2:2, which notes the atoning sacrifice covers the whole world.

Why it lands — The text states that the prophetic death extends beyond a single group to unite scattered believers into one. It requires the reader to acknowledge a divine purpose that prioritizes reconciliation over ethnic or political boundaries.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

καὶkaiand οὐχouchnot ὑπὲρhuperfor τοῦtouthe ἔθνουςethnousnation μόνονmonononly ἀλλ᾽all᾽but ἵναinathat καὶkaialso τὰtathe τέκναteknachildren τοῦtou<the>θεοῦtheouof God τὰtathose διεσκορπισμέναdieskorpismenascattered συναγάγῃsunagagēHe may gather together εἰςeisinto ἕν.¶henone.

King James Version

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

Cross-references

John 10:16 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.
Isaiah 49:6 He says: “It is not enough for You to be My Servant, to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the protected ones of Israel. I will also make You a light for the nations, to bring My salvation to the ends of the earth.”
1 John 2:2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
Ephesians 1:9 And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ
1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen
Romans 9:25 As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,”
Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song: “Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
Luke 2:32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
Romans 3:29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,