John 11:52 (ASV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

John 11:50 nor do ye take account that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

John 11:51 Now this he said not of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation;

John 11:52 and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God that are scattered abroad.

John 11:53 So from that day forth they took counsel that they might put him to death.

John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed thence into the country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim; and there he tarried with the disciples.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "nation", "only", "might", "gather", "together", "children", "scattered", and "abroad". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "nation" and "only", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 51's "Now this he said not of himself..." into verse 53's "So from that day forth they took...", so "nation" and "only" belong inside that flow. In John context, the local focus is the identity of Jesus, new birth, eternal life, and belief and unbelief.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "nation" and "only" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.