- Home
- Bible
- John
- Chapter 11
- Verse 11
John 11:52
Verse
Context
Sermons
John Nelson Darby
G. Campbell MorganSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And not for that nation only, etc. - These, and the preceding words in Joh 11:51, are John's explication of what was prophetic in the words of Caiaphas: as if John had said, He is indeed to die for the sins of the Jewish nation, but not for theirs alone, but for the sins of the whole world: see his own words afterwards, Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2. Gather together in one - That he should collect into one body; - form one Church out of the Jewish and Gentile believers. Children of God that were scattered abroad - Probably John only meant the Jews who were dispersed among all nations since the conquest of Judea by the Romans; and these are called the dispersed, Joh 7:35, and Jam 1:1; and it is because he refers to these only, that he terms them here, the children of God, which was an ancient character of the Jewish people: see Deu 32:5; Isa 43:6; Isa 45:11; Jer 32:1. Taking his words in this sense, then his meaning is this: that Christ was to die, not only for the then inhabitants of Judea, but for all the Jewish race wheresoever scattered; and that the consequence would be, that they should be all collected from their various dispersions, and made one body. This comports with the predictions of St. Paul: Romans 11:1-32. This probably is the sense of the passage; and though, according to this interpretation, the apostle may seem to confine the benefits of Christ's death to the Jewish people only, yet we find from the passage already quoted from his first epistle, that his views of this subject were afterwards very much extended; and that he saw that Jesus Christ was not only a propitiation for their sins (the Jews) but for the sins of the whole world: see his 1st epistle, Jo1 2:2. All the truths of the Gospel were not revealed at once, even to the apostles themselves.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
and not for that nation only, &c.--These are the Evangelist's words, not Caiaphas'.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And not for that nation only,.... For though Christ, as prophet, was sent to the Jews only, and was the minister of the circumcision, yet as a priest he did not die for them only, but for the Gentiles also; even for the whole mystical Israel of God all the world over, whether among Jews or Gentiles; see Jo1 2:2. But that also he should gather together in one, the children of God that were scattered abroad; by which may be meant, not only the elect of God among the Jews, who were scattered amidst the nations of the world, for whom Christ died, and to whom the Gospel was in the first place sent, and who were gathered together into a Gospel church state; see Joh 7:35; but rather the elect of God among the Gentiles, called "the children of God", in opposition to a notion of the Jews, who took this character to themselves, on account of their national adoption, and denied it to the Gentiles, reckoning them no other than as dogs; and because they were the children of God by special adoption, in divine, predestination, and in the covenant of grace; and were so considered, when given to Christ, who looked upon them as in this relation, when he assumed their nature, and died in their room and stead; and not merely because they would hereafter appear to be the children of God in regeneration, and by faith in Christ Jesus, and have the witnessings of the Spirit that they were so; and much less because they had a fitness and disposition to be the children of God, since they were by nature as others, children of wrath: and these are said to be "scattered abroad", both from God, as they were by the fall, and by their own transgressions; which separated between God and them, and set them at a distance from him; for in their nature head, and nature state, they are afar off from him, and from one another; which may regard not only distance of place, being scattered about in the several parts of the world, but their disagreement in mind and judgment, in religion and manners; every one pursuing his own way, going astray like lost sheep: now Christ died for them, in order to bring them nigh to God, to the one true and living God; and to gather them together under one head, himself, their common head; by whom they were represented in his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection; and to make them one body, and bring them into one fold, into one church state here, and at last to one place, to heaven, there to be for ever with him; and so the Persic version renders it, "that he might gather them into one place": and in this, the red heifer was a type of Christ; whose blood was sprinkled directly before the tabernacle of the congregation, and without the camp; and which was done, as a Jewish writer says (q), "to call to mind the design of the heifer, which was to bring "those that were afar off", from the camp of the Shekinah, to be near unto it.'' (q) Abarbinel in Lev. xix. 3, 4.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:52 Christ’s death was not for Israel only, but for all, including people of other cultures scattered around the world (10:16; 12:32).
John 11:52
The Plot to Kill Jesus
51Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation,52and not only for the nation, but also for the scattered children of God, to gather them together into one.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Considerations on the Nature & Unity of the Church of Christ
By John Nelson Darby0Unity in the ChurchSpiritual CommunionISA 43:10MAL 3:16LUK 12:36JHN 11:52JHN 17:21ROM 12:11CO 11:26GAL 3:28EPH 4:3PHP 2:2John Nelson Darby emphasizes the importance of the unity of the Church of Christ, arguing that true communion among believers transcends denominational differences and is rooted in the Spirit of God. He points out that the current state of division among professing Christians hinders the manifestation of the Church's true nature and purpose, which is to reflect the glory of Christ. Darby calls for believers to focus on their common identity in Christ and to remove barriers that prevent unity, urging them to witness to the world through their love and shared faith. He stresses that the unity of the Church is not about formal affiliations but about spiritual oneness in Christ, which is essential for the Church to fulfill its mission. Ultimately, he challenges believers to seek the glory of the Lord and to act in accordance with His will to achieve true unity.
Gathering or Scattering
By G. Campbell Morgan0The Call to GatherUnity in ChristMAT 12:30JHN 11:52JHN 17:21ACT 17:26ROM 12:101CO 1:10GAL 5:15EPH 4:3HEB 10:24JAS 3:18G. Campbell Morgan emphasizes the critical choice every individual faces: to gather with Christ or scatter against Him. He reflects on the dangers of indifference in a tolerant society, contrasting the purity of the persecuted Church with the compromises of a patronized Church. Morgan asserts that Jesus' mission was to gather the scattered children of God, and he challenges listeners to evaluate their influence—whether they are contributing to unity or division. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to actively participate in Christ's work of gathering, urging believers to take sides and live out their faith in a way that draws others to Him.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And not for that nation only, etc. - These, and the preceding words in Joh 11:51, are John's explication of what was prophetic in the words of Caiaphas: as if John had said, He is indeed to die for the sins of the Jewish nation, but not for theirs alone, but for the sins of the whole world: see his own words afterwards, Jo1 2:1, Jo1 2:2. Gather together in one - That he should collect into one body; - form one Church out of the Jewish and Gentile believers. Children of God that were scattered abroad - Probably John only meant the Jews who were dispersed among all nations since the conquest of Judea by the Romans; and these are called the dispersed, Joh 7:35, and Jam 1:1; and it is because he refers to these only, that he terms them here, the children of God, which was an ancient character of the Jewish people: see Deu 32:5; Isa 43:6; Isa 45:11; Jer 32:1. Taking his words in this sense, then his meaning is this: that Christ was to die, not only for the then inhabitants of Judea, but for all the Jewish race wheresoever scattered; and that the consequence would be, that they should be all collected from their various dispersions, and made one body. This comports with the predictions of St. Paul: Romans 11:1-32. This probably is the sense of the passage; and though, according to this interpretation, the apostle may seem to confine the benefits of Christ's death to the Jewish people only, yet we find from the passage already quoted from his first epistle, that his views of this subject were afterwards very much extended; and that he saw that Jesus Christ was not only a propitiation for their sins (the Jews) but for the sins of the whole world: see his 1st epistle, Jo1 2:2. All the truths of the Gospel were not revealed at once, even to the apostles themselves.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
and not for that nation only, &c.--These are the Evangelist's words, not Caiaphas'.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And not for that nation only,.... For though Christ, as prophet, was sent to the Jews only, and was the minister of the circumcision, yet as a priest he did not die for them only, but for the Gentiles also; even for the whole mystical Israel of God all the world over, whether among Jews or Gentiles; see Jo1 2:2. But that also he should gather together in one, the children of God that were scattered abroad; by which may be meant, not only the elect of God among the Jews, who were scattered amidst the nations of the world, for whom Christ died, and to whom the Gospel was in the first place sent, and who were gathered together into a Gospel church state; see Joh 7:35; but rather the elect of God among the Gentiles, called "the children of God", in opposition to a notion of the Jews, who took this character to themselves, on account of their national adoption, and denied it to the Gentiles, reckoning them no other than as dogs; and because they were the children of God by special adoption, in divine, predestination, and in the covenant of grace; and were so considered, when given to Christ, who looked upon them as in this relation, when he assumed their nature, and died in their room and stead; and not merely because they would hereafter appear to be the children of God in regeneration, and by faith in Christ Jesus, and have the witnessings of the Spirit that they were so; and much less because they had a fitness and disposition to be the children of God, since they were by nature as others, children of wrath: and these are said to be "scattered abroad", both from God, as they were by the fall, and by their own transgressions; which separated between God and them, and set them at a distance from him; for in their nature head, and nature state, they are afar off from him, and from one another; which may regard not only distance of place, being scattered about in the several parts of the world, but their disagreement in mind and judgment, in religion and manners; every one pursuing his own way, going astray like lost sheep: now Christ died for them, in order to bring them nigh to God, to the one true and living God; and to gather them together under one head, himself, their common head; by whom they were represented in his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection; and to make them one body, and bring them into one fold, into one church state here, and at last to one place, to heaven, there to be for ever with him; and so the Persic version renders it, "that he might gather them into one place": and in this, the red heifer was a type of Christ; whose blood was sprinkled directly before the tabernacle of the congregation, and without the camp; and which was done, as a Jewish writer says (q), "to call to mind the design of the heifer, which was to bring "those that were afar off", from the camp of the Shekinah, to be near unto it.'' (q) Abarbinel in Lev. xix. 3, 4.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
11:52 Christ’s death was not for Israel only, but for all, including people of other cultures scattered around the world (10:16; 12:32).