the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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Contemporary English Version
John 11:51
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Caiaphas did not think of this himself. As that year's high priest, he was really prophesying that Jesus would die for the Jewish people.
This spake he not of him selfe but beinge hye preste that same yeare he prophesied that Iesus shulde dye for the people
Now he didn't say this of himself, but being Kohen Gadol that year, he prophesied that Yeshua would die for the nation,
Now he did not say this on his own initiative. As high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
Now he did not say this on his own, but as he was high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation;
Caiaphas did not think of this himself. As high priest that year, he was really prophesying that Jesus would die for their nation
Now this he did not say of himself: but, being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation;
And this he spoke not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
Now he didn't say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
He spake not this of himself, but being high-priest that year, he prophesied, that Jesus should die for the nation:
It was not as a mere man that he thus spoke. But being High Priest that year he was inspired to declare that Jesus was to die for the nation,
But he seide not this thing of hym silf, but whanne he was bischop of that yeer, he prophesiede, that Jhesu was to die for the folc,
Now this he said not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation;
Caiaphas did not say this on his own. Instead, as high priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus would die for the nation,
Now he did not say this [simply] on his own initiative; but being the high priest that year, he [was unknowingly used by God and] prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
Now this he said not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation;
He did not say this of himself, but being the high priest that year he said, as a prophet, that Jesus would be put to death for the nation;
Now he didn't speak this way on his own initiative; rather, since he was cohen gadol that year, he was prophesying that Yeshua was about to die on behalf of the nation,
But this he did not say of himself; but, being high priest that year, prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation;
But this from himself he spake not, but because he was high priest of that year, he prophesied that Jeshu should die for the people,
This he said, however, not from the promptings of his own mind; but being the high priest of that year, he prophesied, that Jesus was about to die for the people:
And this spake he not of himselfe: but being high Priest that yeere, he prophecied that Iesus should die for that nation:
He did not say this on his own; as high priest at that time he was led to prophesy that Jesus would die for the entire nation.
Caiaphas did not think of these words himself. He spoke what God had said would happen. He was telling before it happened that Jesus must die for the nation.
He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the nation,
This spake hee not of himselfe: but being hie Priest that same yere, he prophecied that Iesus should die for that nation:
He did not say this of himself; but because he was the high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus had to die for the sake of the people;
This, however, from himself, he spake not, but, being, High-priest, for that year, he prophesied, that Jesus was about to die for the nation;
And this he spoke not of himself: but being the high priest of that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation.
He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation,
This spake he, not of hym selfe, but beyng hye priest that same yere, he prophesied that Iesus shoulde dye for the people,
Actually, he did not say this of his own accord; rather, as he was High Priest that year, he was prophesying that Jesus was going to die for the Jewish people,
He did not say this on his own, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
(Now he did not say this from himself, but being high priest in that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
But he did not say this from himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was about to die on behalf of the nation,
And this he said not of himself, but being chief priest of that year, he did prophesy that Jesus was about to die for the nation,
This spake he not of himself, but for so moch as he was hye prest of the same yeare, he prophecied. For Iesus was for to dye for the people,
now this he did not say from his own motion: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation:
(Now he did not say this on his own, but because he was high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the Jewish nation,
Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
Now he didn't come up with on his own. God had spoken through him sometime before and said that Jesus would die for
Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
Now he did not say this from himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation,
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
being: Exodus 28:30, Judges 20:27, Judges 20:28, 1 Samuel 23:9, 1 Samuel 28:6
he prophesied: Numbers 22:28, Numbers 24:2, Numbers 24:14-25, Matthew 7:22, Matthew 7:23, 1 Corinthians 13:2, 2 Peter 2:15-17
that Jesus: John 10:15, Isaiah 53:5-8, Daniel 9:26, Matthew 20:28, Romans 3:25, Romans 3:26, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Galatians 3:13, Galatians 4:4, Galatians 4:5, 1 Peter 2:24, 1 Peter 3:18
Reciprocal: Numbers 22:9 - God Numbers 23:5 - General 1 Samuel 19:23 - the Spirit 1 Kings 13:20 - the word of the Lord Ezekiel 28:14 - and I John 18:13 - that 1 John 2:2 - for the
Gill's Notes on the Bible
And this spake he not of himself,.... Not of his own devising and dictating, but by the Spirit of God; as a wicked man sometimes may, and as Balaam did; the Spirit of God dictated the words unto him, and put them into his mouth; nor did he use them in the sense, in which the Holy Ghost designed them:
but being high priest that year; by his office he was the oracle of God, and was so esteemed by the people, and therefore a proper person to be made use of in this way; and especially being high priest that year, in which the priesthood was to be changed, and vision and prophecy to be sealed up:
he prophesied; though he did not know he did, as did Pharaoh,
Exodus 10:28, and the people of the Jews, Matthew 27:25.
That Jesus should die for that nation; these words, with what follows in the next verse, are the words of the evangelist, interpreting the prophecy of Caiaphas, according to the sense of the Holy Ghost that Jesus should die, which was contrary to a notion the Jews had imbibed, concerning the Messiah; see John 12:34. But Jesus the true Messiah must die; this was determined in the counsel of God, agreed to by Christ in the covenant of grace, foretold by the prophets from the beginning of the world, typified by sacrifices and other things, under the former dispensation, predicted by Christ himself, and accordingly came to pass; and upon the above accounts was necessary, as well as for the salvation of his people, who otherwise must have perished; and yet was free and voluntary in him, and a strong expression, and a demonstrative proof of his love to them: and not only this prophecy declared, that Jesus should die, but that he should die for that nation, for the nation of the Jews; not for every individual in it, for all of them were not saved by him; some received him not; they rejected him as the Messiah, Saviour, and Redeemer, and died in their sins; but for all the elect of God among them, the sheep of the house of Israel, to whom he was sent, and whom he came to seek and save; and whom he blessed, by turning them away from their iniquities, and by taking away their iniquities from them: and moreover, this prophecy suggests, that Jesus was to die, not merely as a martyr, to confirm with his blood the doctrine he preached, nor only as an example of courage, meekness, patience, and love, but for, or in the room and stead of his people, as their surety; giving his life a ransom and himself a sacrifice to the justice of God, for them; there by fulfilling the law and satisfying it, and appeasing the wrath of God on their account.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Not of himself - Though he uttered what proved to be a true prophecy, yet it was accomplished in a way which he did not intend He had a wicked design. He was plotting murder and crime. Yet, wicked as he was, and little as he intended it, God so ordered it that he delivered a most precious truth respecting the atonement. Remark:
- God may fulfill the words of the wicked in a manner which they do not wish or intend.
- He may make even their malice and wicked plots the very means of accomplishing his purposes. What they regard as the fulfillment of their plans God may make the fulfillment of his, yet so as directly to overthrow their designs, and prostrate them in ruin.
- Sinners should tremble and be afraid when they lay plans against God, or seek to do unjustly to others.
Being high priest that year - It is not to be supposed that Caiaphas was a true prophet, or was conscious of the meaning which John has affixed to his words; but his words express the truth about the atonement of Jesus, and John records it as a remarkable circumstance that the high priest of the nation should unwittingly deliver a sentiment which turned out to be the truth about the death of Jesus. Great importance was attached to the opinion of the high priest by the Jews, because it was by him that the judgment by Urim and Thummim was formerly declared in cases of importance and difficulty, Numbers 27:21. It is not certain or probable that the high priest ever was endowed with the gift of prophecy; but he sustained a high office, the authority of his name was great, and it was thence remarkable that he uttered a declaration which the result showed to be true, though not in the sense that he intended.
He prophesied - He uttered words which proved to be prophetic; or he expressed at that time a sentiment which turned out to be true. It does not mean that he was inspired, or that he deserved to be ranked among the true prophets; but his words were such that they accurately expressed a future event. The word “prophecy” is to be taken here not in the strict sense, but in a sense which is not uncommon in the sacred writers. Acts 21:9; “and the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” See the Romans 12:6 note; 1 Corinthians 14:1 note; compare Matthew 26:68; Luke 22:64.
That Jesus should die - Die in the place of men, or as an atonement for sinners. This is evidently the meaning which John attaches to the words.
For that nation - For the Jews. As a sacrifice for their sins. In no other sense whatever could it be said that he died for them. His death, so far from saving them in the sense in which the high priest understood it, was the very occasion of their destruction. They invoked the vengeance of God when they said, “His blood be on us and on our children” Matthew 27:25, and all these calamities came upon them because they would not come to him and be saved - that is, because they rejected him and put him to death, Matthew 23:37-39.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 51. This spake he not of himself — Wicked and worthless as he was, God so guided his tongue that, contrary to his intention, he pronounced a prophecy of the death of Jesus Christ.
I have already remarked that the doctrine of a vicarious atonement had gained, long before this time, universal credit in the world. Words similar to these of Caiaphas are, by the prince of all the Roman poets, put in the mouth of Neptune, when promising Venus that the fleet of AEneas should be preserved, and his whole crew should be saved, one only excepted, whose death he speaks of in these remarkable words:-
"Unum pro multis dabitar caput."
"One life shall fall, that many may be saved."
Which victim the poet informs us was Palinurus, the pilot of AEneas's own ship, who was precipitated into the deep by a Divine influence. See VIRG. AEn. v. l. 815, c.
There was no necessity for the poet to have introduced this account. It was no historic fact, nor indeed does it tend to decorate the poem. It even pains the reader's mind for, after suffering so much in the sufferings of the pious hero and his crew, he is at once relieved by the interposition of a god, who promises to allay the storm, disperse the clouds, preserve the fleet, and the lives of the men; but, - one must perish! The reader is again distressed, and the book ominously closes with the death of the generous Palinurus, who strove to the last to be faithful to his trust, and to preserve the life of his master and his friend. Why then did the poet introduce this? Merely, as it appears to me, to have the opportunity of showing in a few words his religious creed, on one of the most important doctrines in the world; and which the sacrificial system of Jews and Gentiles proves that all the nations of the earth credited.
As Caiaphas was high priest, his opinion was of most weight with the council; therefore God put these words in his mouth rather than into the mouth of any other of its members. It was a maxim among the Jews that no prophet ever knew the purport of his own prophecy, Moses and Isaiah excepted. They were in general organs by which God chose to speak.
