messianic concept

• John 11:49 (ESV)
• John 11:50 (ESV)
• John 11:51 (ESV)
• John 11:52 (ESV)
• John 11:53 (ESV)

---

Here in The book of John we see more on the Jewish understanding to the Messiah. One idea of the Messiah is of one man dying for the whole nation of believers. Since the period of Hasmoneans (168-165 BC) Jews have believed that the saints who died as martyrs sanctified the Name of God and atoned for the sins of Israel.
Even in such writings as 4th Maccabees, their death is seen as an atoning sacrifice. The Jewish source known as "Midrash Sifre" gives similar notion of Atoning for former sins when the Gentiles killed the children of Israel (Sifre Deut. 32:43).
This is borne out in John 11:50 - when the high priest mentioned the same concept relating to Jesus dying for the nation.

---