JOHN 11:52 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.”
And not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one — John expands Caiaphas's statement beyond its intended meaning: Jesus will not die only for the Jewish nation but for 'the scattered children of God' (the dispersed believers, and potentially Gentiles), bringing them into unified community. This is John's universal, inclusivist soteriology, applied to Caiaphas's unwitting prophecy.
Church Fathers on John 11:52
Such a miracle as this should have drawn forth wonder and praise. But they make it a reason of plotting against His life: Then gathered the chief priests and, Pharisees a council, and said, What do we?
But they had no thought of believing. The miserable men only consulted how they might hurt and kill Him, not how themselves might be saved from death. What do we? For this Man does many miracles.
Him of whose divinity they had received such certain proofs, they call only a man.
Read all 19 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!