John 11:52 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

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

John 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

John 11:53 Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.

John 11:54 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.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "nation", "only", "should", "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 "And this spake he not of himself..." into verse 53's "Then 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.