John 11:51

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
τοῦτο
G5124
this
that thing
#2
δὲ
G1161
And
but, and, etc
#3
ἀφ'
G575
of
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
#4
ἑαυτοῦ
G1438
himself
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
#5
οὐκ
G3756
not
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
#6
εἶπεν
G2036
spake he
to speak or say (by word or writing)
#7
ἀλλὰ
G235
but
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
#8
ἀρχιερεὺς
G749
high priest
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
#9
ὢν
G5607
being
being
#10
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#11
ἐνιαυτοῦ
G1763
year
a year
#12
ἐκείνου
G1565
that
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
#13
προεφήτευσεν
G4395
he prophesied
to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
#14
ὅτι
G3754
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#15
ἔμελλεν
G3195
should
to intend, i.e., be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probabili
#16
ὁ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#17
Ἰησοῦς
G2424
Jesus
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
#18
ἀποθνῄσκειν
G599
die
to die off (literally or figuratively)
#19
ὑπὲρ
G5228
for that
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
#20
τοῦ
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#21
ἔθνους
G1484
nation
a race (as of the same habit), i.e., a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-jewish) one (usually, by implication, pagan)

Analysis

The divine love theme here intersects with God's covenantal faithfulness demonstrated throughout salvation history. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation from covenant love in the Old Testament to agape love in the New. The phrase emphasizing covenant community contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about hesed in the Old Testament and agape in the New Testament.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on divine love particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Topics

People

Study Resources