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;
Original Language Analysis
ἀφ'
of
G575
ἀφ'
of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
3 of 21
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
ἑαυτοῦ
himself
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ
himself
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
4 of 21
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἀρχιερεὺς
high priest
G749
ἀρχιερεὺς
high priest
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
8 of 21
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐκείνου
that
G1565
ἐκείνου
that
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
12 of 21
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
προεφήτευσεν
he prophesied
G4395
προεφήτευσεν
he prophesied
Strong's:
G4395
Word #:
13 of 21
to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
14 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ἔμελλεν
should
G3195
ἔμελλεν
should
Strong's:
G3195
Word #:
15 of 21
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
17 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ὑπὲρ
for that
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for that
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
19 of 21
"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
Cross References
Daniel 9:26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.Exodus 28:30And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.1 Samuel 23:9And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
Historical Context
High priests wore the Urim and Thummim and spoke for God despite personal sin (Lev 16). The office, not the man's righteousness, conveyed authority. This principle pervades Scripture—God uses flawed vessels.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's use of Caiaphas teach about the relationship between office and character?
- How does this demonstrate that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human evil?
- In what ways does this validate the doctrine of verbal inspiration?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
John provides inspired commentary: Caiaphas prophesied 'not of himself.' Despite personal evil, his high priestly office carried prophetic function. The Old Testament pattern continues—God speaks through the office regardless of the officer's character (Num 22-24). Caiaphas unknowingly prophesied that Jesus would die 'for that nation'—substitutionary atonement in precise language. This demonstrates God's meticulous sovereignty: even the plot to kill Jesus fulfills redemptive prophecy. The high priest who condemns the sacrifice becomes the mouthpiece for sacrifice's meaning.