John 11

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

Jesus wept.

Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

But some of them went their ways to the Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done.

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

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.

And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,

Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;

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

Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.

And the Jews' passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.

Then sought they for Jesus, and spake among themselves, as they stood in the temple, What think ye, that he will not come to the feast?

Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a commandment, that, if any man knew where he were, he should shew it, that they might take him.

What does John 11:52 mean?

Explanation

John 11:52 speaks about the purpose of Jesus Christ's death, not only as a sacrifice for the nation of Israel but also to unite the scattered children of God.

The "children of God" refers to believers in God across the world, both Jews and Gentiles.

This line foresaw and justified the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian Church.

It also addresses the concept of the universal family of believers that Jesus came to establish, transcending traditional ethnic and religious boundaries.

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

This verse comes from a larger passage where Caiaphas, the Jewish high priest at that time, prophesies that Jesus will die for the nation.

The setting is shortly before the crucifixion of Jesus, within the politically and religiously charged atmosphere of first-century Judea. During this period, Israel was under Roman occupation and the Jewish population was expecting a messiah who would liberate them.

However, Jesus' mission was not just for Israel but for the salvation of all believers worldwide.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse has been interpreted in different ways.

Some Christian denominations see it as support for the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, with Jesus dying for the sins of all humanity. Others view it as an affirmation of the unifying nature of Jesus' message.

This verse is pivotal for the understanding of the universality of the Christian faith, it's not just a Jewish sect but a religion for all humanity.

Practical Applications

The practical application of John 11:52 is the call for inclusivity and unity within the Christian faith.

It encourages believers to reach out across cultural, racial, and ethnic divisions, mirroring Jesus' outreach to all children of God.

It also serves as a reminder of the Christian mission to spread the Gospel to all corners of the earth, knowing that salvation is available to all people, regardless of their background.

Cross-References

John 10:16 – "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."
Ephesians 2:14-16 – "For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace."
1 Peter 2:9 – "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light."

Language Study

The Greek term translated as "children of God" is "tekna Theou," with "tekna" meaning "children" or "offspring" and "Theou" being "of God.” The phrase "scattered abroad" translates from "dieskorpismenous," derived from "skorpizo," meaning "to scatter" or "to disperse." This word choice emphasizes the widespread dispersion of the believers who are now to be united through Jesus.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of a divine figure bringing unity to scattered people can be paralleled with myths from various cultures. For example, in some traditions, a hero gathers tribes or unites fractured kingdoms.

However, Jesus' role in "gathering together in one the children of God" introduces a unique spiritual dimension, focusing on religious unity rather than political or familial.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, John 11:52 does not relate to empirical findings or theories.

However, scientific explorations on the social psychology of religion can partially explain the human need for communal religious expressions and how a unified faith community can contribute to social cohesion.

commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have discussed John 11:52:

Matthew Henry's Commentary interprets this as a providential prophecy by Caiaphas, who, while intending to speak of political safety for Israel, actually spoke of the spiritual gathering of the people of God.
The Pulpit Commentary suggests Caiaphas' words were an unconscious prophecy that provided a higher meaning to Jesus' death, emphasizing its redemptive and unifying nature for believers everywhere.
William Barclay notes that Jesus' idea of what it means to be the children of God was far broader than the Jewish people expected, encompassing all who would follow Him in spirit and truth.

John 11

John 11

What does John 11:52 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does John 11:52 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated John Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?