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John 11:52

ESV and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
NIV and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.
NASB and not for the nation only, but in order that He might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.
CSB and not for the nation only, but also to unite the scattered children of God.
NLT And not only for that nation, but to bring together and unite all the children of God scattered around the world.
KJV And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
NKJV and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.

What does John 11:52 mean?

In previous verses, Caiaphas made a remark which is prophetic on two counts. His statement was that it was better for one man to die than for a whole nation to die (John 11:49–50). His intended meaning was that it was better to have Jesus killed, innocent or not, to prevent Him from stirring up the anger of Rome against the Jewish people. Though he's wrong about the ultimate reasons, his words are true. Unwittingly, he has summarized the reason Jesus came to be a sacrifice. In short, it was so that one single perfect sacrifice could save countless souls (Romans 5:12–17; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The salvation accomplished through Jesus' death applies to the entire world of those who accept Him (Galatians 3:28; Matthew 28:19).

John attributes this prophecy to God, and not to any special insight on the part of Caiaphas (John 11:51). Caiaphas is not even slightly interested in what Jesus has to say—but if God can speak truth through a donkey, He can do it through anyone (2 Peter 2:15–16; Numbers 22:28).
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