John 18:14

Authorized King James Version

Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ἦν
was he
i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)
#2
δὲ
Now
but, and, etc
#3
Καϊάφας
Caiaphas
the dell; caiaphas (i.e., cajepha), an israelite
#4
τοῦ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#5
συμβουλεύσας
gave counsel
to give (or take) advice jointly, i.e., recommend, deliberate or determine
#6
τοῦ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#7
Ἰουδαίοις
to the Jews
judaean, i.e., belonging to jehudah
#8
ὅτι
that
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
#9
συμφέρει
it was expedient
to bear together (contribute), i.e., (literally) to collect, or (figuratively) to conduce; especially (neuter participle as a noun) advantage
#10
ἕνα
that one
one
#11
ἄνθρωπον
man
man-faced, i.e., a human being
#12
ἀπολέσθαι
should die
to destroy fully (reflexively, to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively
#13
ὑπὲρ
for
"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
#14
τοῦ
which
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
#15
λαοῦ
the people
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)

Analysis

This verse develops the divine love theme central to John. The concept of covenant community reflects the essential nature of God revealed through Christ. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to theological biography emphasizing Jesus' divine identity, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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

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