John 11:51-54

John 11:51-54

John 11:51 (KJB)
And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
Of course, Caiaphas was not speaking of himself. The High Priest was the representative of the people to God but he did not know that he was prophesying that Jesus should die for the nation, and as we saw in the previous verse, it was for the nation of believers which would be the entire body of Christ throughout all the ages made up of both Jews and non-Jews. All they saw was that if Jesus was dead, then all their problems would be solved and the Romans would let life go on as it was. He was totally unaware of the significance of the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ.
John 11:52 (KJB)
And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
As we previously saw that the benefits of the atonement of Christ would not only be for those who became saved in Israel but was effectual for every true Christian around the world, down through the ages until the last one is saved. (Eph 1:10 KJV) That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: The Apostle Paul builds on this theme and states that in the fullness of time all believers everywhere will be gathered in one. That day will come on the last day when all the believers, those who have died physically and those still alive, will be caught up in the rapture and then all believers will be with Christ for eternity.
John 11:53 (KJB)
Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Since the High Priest had rendered his decision as to what is to be done with Jesus, then from that point on the counsel was to find a way to finally trap Jesus with some charge and have Him put to death. There would be no more discussions concerning the great miracles He did nor how the people are receiving Him. The people’s response would no longer factor in as their course was now set. So Joseph and Nicodemus were now in the minority and there was nothing they could do to stop this killing.
John 11:54 (KJB)
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.
Jesus now knew that the course had been set for them to try and kill Him. Jesus then goes to a little town called Ephraim which was about 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Jerusalem. Not much is known of this town as it has probably disappeared from the map over the years. It may have been a time of respite where Jesus wanted to spend time with His disciples to teach and discuss the soon coming events.

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