John 11:51

“And this spake he not of himself, etc.] Not of his own devising and dictating, but by the Spirit of God; as a wicked man sometimes may, and as Balaam did; the Spirit of God dictated the words unto him, and put them into his mouth; nor did he use them in the sense, in which the Holy Ghost designed them: but being high priest that year; by his office he was the oracle of God, and was so esteemed by the people, and therefore a proper person to be made use of in this way; and especially being high priest that year, in which the priesthood was to be changed, and vision and prophecy to be sealed up: he prophesied; though he did not know he did, as did Pharaoh, (<021028>Exodus 10:28), and the…”

“Caiaphas . . . prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation--He meant nothing more than that the way to prevent the apprehended ruin of the nation was to make a sacrifice of the Disturber of their peace. But in giving utterance to this suggestion of political expediency, he was so guided as to give forth a divine prediction of deep significance; and God so ordered it that it should come from the lips of the high priest for that memorable year, the recognized head of God's visible people, whose ancient office, symbolized by the Urim and Thummim, was to decide in the last resort, all vital questions as the oracle of the divine will.”

“Not of himself - Though he uttered what proved to be a true prophecy, yet it was accomplished in a way which he did not intend He had a wicked design. He was plotting murder and crime. Yet, wicked as he was, and little as he intended it, God so ordered it that he delivered a most precious truth respecting the atonement. Remark: God may fulfill the words of the wicked in a manner which they do not wish or intend. He may make even their malice and wicked plots the very means of accomplishing his purposes. What they regard as the fulfillment of their plans God may make the fulfillment of his, yet so as directly to overthrow their designs, and prostrate them in ruin. Sinners should tremble and…”

“being: Exo 28:30; Jdg 20:27, Jdg 20:28; Sa1 23:9, Sa1 28:6 he prophesied: Num 22:28, Num 24:2, Num 24:14-25; Mat 7:22, Mat 7:23; Co1 13:2; Pe2 2:15-17 that Jesus: Joh 10:15; Isa 53:5-8; Dan 9:26; Mat 20:28; Rom 3:25, Rom 3:26; Co2 5:21; Gal 3:13; Gal 4:4, Gal 4:5; Pe1 2:24, Pe1 3:18 John 11:52”